What Goes Into the Cost of Rekeying a Whole House?
November 8, 2026
A Common Service With a Price That Varies More Than People Expect
Rekeying a house is one of the most frequently requested locksmith services, particularly among people who have just moved into a new home in Murray, Utah and want to make sure they are the only ones with a working key. It is a straightforward service in concept — change the locks so old keys stop working — but the total cost can range from around $100 to well over $300, and that variation surprises a lot of people.
Understanding what drives that variation is useful whether you are budgeting for an upcoming move or simply evaluating whether a quote you received is reasonable. This blog breaks down every component that goes into the cost of rekeying an entire house.
The Building Blocks of a Whole-House Rekey Quote
A whole-house rekeying quote is not a single line item — it is the sum of several distinct cost components. Each one varies based on your specific home and the locksmith you hire.
Service Call or Trip Fee
Most locksmiths in Murray, Utah charge a service call or trip fee in addition to the per-lock cost. This fee covers the cost of the technician's time to travel to your location, carry equipment, and set up for the job. It typically runs between $50 and $85 for standard residential calls during business hours. Some locksmiths roll this fee into their total quote rather than listing it separately, so always ask whether the quote you receive is all-inclusive.
Per-Lock Rekeying Cost
The per-cylinder rekeying cost is the core of the quote. For standard residential pin tumbler cylinders, the cost is typically $15 to $30 per lock. More complex cylinders — high-security locks with restricted keyways, double cylinders, or deadbolts with sidebar mechanisms — can cost $35 to $60 or more per lock to rekey due to the additional time and specialized equipment required.
Number of Locks in the Home
The total number of keyed locks is the primary driver of the overall cost. A typical single-family home in Murray, Utah has three to six keyed entry points: a front door deadbolt, a front door knob or handle lock, a back door deadbolt and knob, and sometimes a garage entry door or side gate. Homes with additional locks — a detached garage, a workshop, a storage shed, a basement entry — add to the count and the total cost.
Lock Brand and Cylinder Type
Not all cylinders rekey the same way. Kwikset cylinders use a SmartKey re-key system that allows rekeying without disassembly — a faster process. Schlage cylinders require full disassembly and pin replacement. Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and other high-security cylinders require specialized tools and more time. If your home has a mix of brands or includes any high-security hardware, expect the per-lock cost on those cylinders to be higher than the standard rate.
New Keys and Copies
Rekeying produces a new key that fits the newly configured cylinders. Most locksmiths include one or two keys in the base price and charge a small amount — typically $3 to $10 per key — for additional copies. If you need keys for multiple family members, factor this into your total.
What a Realistic Whole-House Rekey Costs in Murray, Utah
Using the cost components above, the following table shows realistic total estimates for homes with different numbers of locks, based on standard residential rekeying rates in the Murray, Utah area.
| Number of Locks | Estimated Rekeying Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 locks | $100–$150 | Service call plus per-lock cost; minimal key copies |
| 4–5 locks | $140–$220 | Standard for most single-family homes |
| 6–8 locks | $190–$300 | Larger homes or homes with multiple entry points |
| 8+ locks or high-security cylinders | $300–$450+ | Complex cylinders or extended key duplication |
Factors That Can Push the Total Higher
Several specific circumstances increase the total cost of a whole-house rekey beyond the standard ranges above. These are worth knowing before you call for a quote.
- After-hours or weekend scheduling: Rekeying scheduled outside business hours carries a surcharge, typically $25 to $75 additional.
- Locks that cannot be rekeyed: Some older or unusual cylinders cannot be rekeyed and must be replaced entirely. A locksmith will identify these during the job and quote the replacement cost separately.
- Deadbolt and knob lock on the same door, different brands: If your front door has a Kwikset knob and a Schlage deadbolt, they will need to be rekeyed separately and cannot be keyed to the same key without additional work.
- Keying all locks alike: If you want every lock in the home to operate on one key, the locksmith must ensure all cylinders can accept the same key profile. This is usually achievable but adds a step to the process, particularly if you have mixed brands.
- Malfunctioning locks identified during the rekey: If a lock is stiff, damaged, or not functioning properly when the technician arrives, repair or replacement may be recommended in addition to rekeying.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Getting an accurate quote before the locksmith arrives prevents surprises at the end of the job. Here is what to have ready when you call.
- Count the number of keyed locks in your home before calling — include all exterior doors, any garage or outbuilding entries, and any interior doors you want rekeyed.
- Note the brands of your locks if you can — Kwikset, Schlage, Baldwin, and similar brands are worth identifying because they affect the per-lock cost.
- Ask whether the service call fee is included in the quoted price or added separately.
- Confirm how many keys are included in the base price and what additional keys cost.
- Ask about scheduling to make sure you receive the standard daytime rate rather than an after-hours rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does rekeying include making sure all doors lock and function properly, or just the cylinder change?
Standard rekeying covers the cylinder only. If the locksmith identifies a mechanical issue with the lock — a stiff latch, a misaligned strike plate, or a worn bolt mechanism — that is a separate repair. Most locksmiths will note these issues during the job and quote any additional work before proceeding.
Can I save money by buying my own lock pins and rekeying the cylinders myself?
Rekeying kits are available for common residential brands like Kwikset. DIY rekeying is possible but requires patience and precise technique. An improperly rekeyed cylinder can result in keys that bind or a lock that fails. The cost saving is modest — typically $15 to $30 per lock — and the risk of error is real. Professional rekeying is generally worth the certainty for exterior door security.
If I rekey my house, can the old keys ever be made to work again?
No. Rekeying physically changes the pin combination inside the cylinder so that the old key cuts no longer align with the new pin heights. The old key cannot open the rekeyed lock regardless of what is done to it. This is the point of the service.
Should I rekey or replace if some of my locks are older than ten years?
Age alone is not the determining factor — condition is. A locksmith can assess whether your cylinders are in good enough shape to rekey reliably. Locks that are stiff, corroded, or mechanically compromised should be replaced rather than rekeyed, since rekeying a worn lock does not address the underlying mechanical deterioration.
Can a locksmith rekey my locks to match a key I already have from another property?
In some cases, yes. If the existing key uses a standard key profile that is compatible with your home's lock cylinders, a locksmith may be able to rekey your cylinders to match it. This depends on the key profile and cylinder brand compatibility. It is worth asking about if you want to consolidate multiple properties to one key.
Know What You're Paying For Before You Call
A whole-house rekey is one of the most practical security investments a homeowner can make, particularly when moving into a new property in Murray, Utah. The cost is reasonable, the service is fast, and the outcome — total control over who holds a working key — is exactly what most people need. Understanding how the quote is built helps you budget accurately and compare estimates with confidence.
Lynn's Lockshop provides whole-house rekeying throughout Murray, Utah and the broader Salt Lake Valley. When you call
(801) 699-0511, they will walk through the lock count with you, give you a clear all-in quote, and schedule the service at a time that works for you.
