How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a Lock?

By Michael G., 22 years of experience · November 6, 2026 · 6 min read

For the locksmith cost to rekey a lock, MD Locksmith lists a $15 service call, but no separate rekeying price. Call (240) 366-2739 to discuss your lock and confirm the full charge before authorizing work.

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What Does It Cost to Have a Locksmith Rekey a Lock?

The listed starting price for a service call is $15, but that figure is not a quoted price for rekeying a lock. MD Locksmith does not list a separate rekeying price, so ask for the total cost for your specific job before approving the work. You can review our prices and ask us to clarify what applies to your situation.

Rekeying changes a lock so a different key operates it; it does not mean replacing the whole lock. The work involved can vary with the lock type and condition, how many locks you want rekeyed, and whether you want them to work with the same key. Those details define the scope, but they do not establish a price. Get the scope and total charge confirmed before work begins.

Which Lock Details Can Change the Rekeying Work?

Gather a few details before calling. They help describe the job clearly without taking apart a lock or guessing what its parts require.

• How many locks need attention — Count the doors and locks you want changed. Note whether you want each lock to use its own key or whether you want several locks to use one key.
• The lock and door type — Say whether the lock is on a knob, deadbolt, or another kind of door hardware. If you know the lock’s brand or type, share it, but do not remove the lock to find out.
• The lock’s condition — Mention a key that sticks, a lock that feels loose, or a deadbolt that does not move smoothly. A worn or damaged lock may call for repair or replacement rather than rekeying alone.
• Your reason for changing access — Explain whether you moved, lost a key, or need to change who can enter. The reason helps frame the security concern and what outcome you want.

Should You Rekey or Replace Your Existing Lock?

Rekeying and replacing solve different problems. Choose based on the lock’s condition and the result you need, then ask a locksmith to assess the hardware if you are unsure.

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How to Prepare for a Lock Rekeying Appointment

These steps help you explain the job and check the result. Leave the lock cylinder and door hardware assembled; a locksmith can determine what work the lock needs.

1. Identify the door — Write down which door has the lock, such as the front door or a side entrance. Check that you can reach the door and that the area is clear.
2. Count the locks — Count the knobs and deadbolts you want addressed. Check that your count includes each separate lock, not just each doorway.
3. Gather the keys you have — Set aside the current keys and note whether they turn smoothly. Do not force a key that sticks or bends.
4. Describe any trouble — Check whether the key, lock cylinder, or deadbolt has been sticking or failing to turn. Tell the locksmith what happens rather than trying to take the lock apart.
5. Decide what access you want — Consider whether you want one key for several locks or separate keys. Make a list of the doors involved so the requested outcome is clear.
6. Explain the security concern — Say if a key was lost or if someone who had a key should no longer have access. Do not assume that changing a key will address a damaged lock.
7. Confirm the work and charge — Before authorizing the job, ask whether the lock can be rekeyed and what the total charge covers. Check that the proposed work matches the doors and locks you identified.
8. Test each lock afterward — With the door open, test the new key in each rekeyed lock, then close the door and check that the latch and deadbolt move normally. Ask the locksmith to address any lock that does not operate as expected.

Three Rekeying Situations and the Starting Price to Know

After moving, you may want to change who can use the keys to your home. If the existing locks work and you want new keys to operate them, ask about rekeying; MD Locksmith does not publish a separate rekeying price. The $15 service-call figure is not a price for rekeying.

If a key is missing, first consider which door it could open and whether the lock is still working normally. Ask whether rekeying addresses your concern or whether the lock’s condition calls for another service. Again, the listed $15 service call does not state the rekeying charge.

If several doors need new keys, specify how many locks are involved and whether you want them to use one key. The scope may differ from a single lock, but there is no published rekeying total to apply to these situations. Discuss your exact request before approving work, or contact us to ask about your lock.

When a Lock Problem Calls for More Than Rekeying

A rekey changes which key operates a lock; it does not fix every mechanical problem. If the key will not turn, the deadbolt sticks, the lock cylinder feels loose, or the door does not line up with its strike plate, describe those symptoms before work starts. Forcing the key or disassembling the lock can cause damage and make the problem harder to assess.

Call a locksmith when a lock is damaged, the key is stuck, or you are not sure whether the hardware can be rekeyed. MD Locksmith offers a lock rekeying service and comes to you as a mobile locksmith. For general help choosing a locksmith, the Associated Locksmiths of America provides consumer information.

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What to Confirm Before You Approve Rekeying

Before the locksmith starts, make sure you understand the proposed work and the amount you will pay. A few direct questions can prevent confusion about whether the job is a rekey, repair, or lock replacement.

• Ask what work is included — Confirm which locks will be rekeyed and whether the locksmith found any damage that changes the recommended work.
• Ask for the total charge — The published $15 service-call price does not state a rekeying price. Ask for the total for your described job, including the work and any parts, before you authorize it.
• Check the result before the locksmith leaves — Test each new key in the intended lock. Make sure the knob or deadbolt works normally and that you have the new keys you need.

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