Published 2026-05-30 · Atlanta Pro Locksmith
Rekey vs Replace Lock: Which Is Cheaper Long-Term
Quick answer: Rekeying is cheaper upfront ($20–$40 per cylinder plus a service call, $150–$300 for a typical 4–6 lock home in Atlanta) and remains more cost-effective long-term unless your locks are damaged, outdated, or incompatible with higher-security cylinders. Replacing locks costs $100–$250 per deadbolt installed but offers durability upgrades and can extend hardware lifespan by 10–15 years, making it the better choice when locks show wear, fail to latch properly, or need security upgrades for properties in neighborhoods like Buckhead or Decatur.
Upfront Cost Comparison in Atlanta
Rekeying a lock in Atlanta runs $20–$40 per cylinder, with most locksmiths charging a service call fee on top. For a standard single-family home in Buckhead or Sandy Springs with four to six exterior locks, expect a total bill of $150–$300. The locksmith disassembles each cylinder, replaces the pin tumblers to match a new key, and reassembles the hardware. The existing lock bodies, strike plates, and faceplates stay in place.
Full lock replacement costs $100–$250 per installed deadbolt, including mid-grade hardware. Replacing six locks pushes the bill to $600–$1,500, depending on whether you choose builder-grade Kwikset locks or upgrade to Schlage B60 or Medeco cylinders. Labor accounts for roughly 30–40% of the total, with the remainder going to the lock bodies, cylinders, and strike hardware. If your Fulton County home has unusual backset dimensions or non-standard bore holes (common in pre-1980 properties around Decatur), installation costs climb because the locksmith needs to redrill or modify door edges.
Long-Term Durability and Replacement Cycles
Rekeying does nothing to extend lock lifespan. If your existing deadbolts are eight years old with worn springs, loose tailpieces, or corroded cylinders from Atlanta's humid summers, rekeying just postpones the inevitable replacement. Most residential-grade deadbolts last 10–15 years under normal use. Homes in high-traffic neighborhoods like Midtown or near Hartsfield-Jackson often see accelerated wear due to frequent entries, package deliveries, and short-term rental turnover.
Replacing locks with higher-grade hardware resets the durability clock. A new Schlage B660 or Yale Assure deadbolt installed today should last 12–18 years before internal components degrade. If you rekey every three to five years when tenants change or after a key is lost, you spend $150–$300 per service call. Over a 15-year window, that's three to five rekey visits totaling $450–$1,500, which approaches or exceeds the cost of replacing all locks once with durable hardware. Replacement becomes cheaper long-term if your locks already show functional issues like sticky bolts, misaligned strike plates, or keys that require jiggling.
Security Upgrades and Key Control
Rekeying works well when the existing cylinders accept restricted keyways or when you simply need to invalidate old keys. Many Atlanta landlords rekey between tenants rather than replace entire locksets. However, rekeying a builder-grade Kwikset into another Kwikset keyway doesn't improve pick resistance or bump-key vulnerability. If security is a priority in higher-value neighborhoods like Buckhead or Ansley Park, you'll want cylinders with sidebars, rotating discs, or restricted keyways that can't be duplicated at hardware stores.
Replacing locks allows you to step up to commercial-grade cylinders (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or ASSA ABLOY) without retrofitting existing hardware. Some older homes in Decatur or Grant Park have mortise locks or rim cylinders that can't be rekeyed to high-security keyways without custom machining. In those cases, replacing the entire lockset is the only path to improved security. Key control also improves with restricted keyways, because blanks require proof of ownership and can't be cut at big-box stores.
When Each Option Makes Sense for Fulton County Homes
Choose rekeying if your locks are less than five years old, function smoothly, meet your security needs, and you simply need to invalidate a lost key or change access after a tenant moves out. It's the practical choice for rental properties in Marietta or Sandy Springs where turnover is frequent and hardware is still in good shape. Rekeying also works when a contractor, house sitter, or former roommate had keys and you want to ensure no copies are floating around.
Replace locks when hardware is more than eight years old, bolts stick or require force to engage, keys bind in the cylinder, the finish shows corrosion (common on coastal-facing doors in humid Atlanta summers), or you need higher security grades. Replacement also makes sense if you're converting to smart locks, because retrofitting electronic deadbolts onto worn mechanical bodies causes alignment problems and premature battery drain. Properties upgrading to keyless entry for Airbnb use or elderly-parent access should budget for full replacement rather than trying to rekey and retrofit.
Frequently asked
How many times can I rekey a lock before I need to replace it?
Most residential deadbolts can be rekeyed five to seven times before pin chambers wear out, springs lose tension, or the plug develops play. After that point, the cylinder no longer holds pins securely, and keys may turn without engaging the bolt. If your locks have been rekeyed three or more times and are more than eight years old, replacement is the safer route.
Will rekeying fix a sticky deadbolt that's hard to turn?
No. Rekeying only changes which key operates the lock. Sticky bolts are caused by dry lubricant, misaligned strike plates, warped door frames (common in older Atlanta homes after foundation settling), or worn internal springs. You'll need to clean, lubricate, and realign the hardware or replace the lock entirely if internal components are damaged.
Can I rekey a Kwikset lock to match a Schlage key?
No. Kwikset and Schlage use different keyway profiles and pin diameters. You'd need to replace the entire cylinder or lock body to switch brands. Some locksmiths offer universal cylinders that accept adapter kits, but those add $30–$60 per lock and don't improve security over a standard replacement.
Does rekeying work on smart locks like August or Schlage Encode?
Most smart locks with mechanical key override cylinders can be rekeyed the same way as traditional deadbolts. The locksmith removes the cylinder, replaces the pins, and reassembles it. However, some proprietary smart lock cylinders (Nest x Yale, for example) use non-standard keyways that require factory replacement rather than field rekeying.
Is there a break-even point where replacing becomes cheaper than repeated rekeying?
Yes. If you rekey every three years at $150–$300 per visit, you'll spend $450–$900 over nine years. Replacing all locks once with mid-grade deadbolts costs $600–$1,500 but resets the hardware lifespan to 12–15 years. For rental properties with high turnover or homes where keys are frequently lost, replacement every 10 years is more economical than rekeying every lease cycle.