Lock Rekey Washington DC | Rekey Locks

Need your locks rekeyed in Washington, DC? Mr. Locksmith DC rekeys house, apartment and office locks on site, so every old key stops working and you keep your existing hardware. Rekeying starts at $45 per lock. Open every day, 6:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Call (202) 630-4979.

You rarely know how many keys to a DC property are in circulation. Previous owners, old roommates, contractors, a dog walker from two years ago: each may still hold one that works.

A lock rekey solves that without buying new locks. Mr. Locksmith DC rekeys locks for homeowners, renters, landlords and businesses across Washington, DC, usually in a single visit.

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What a lock rekey actually does

Inside every pin tumbler lock is a set of small pins cut to match one key. To rekey a lock, we take the cylinder apart, replace those pins with a new combination and cut keys to match.

The lock looks the same from the outside and works the same way. The only difference is that the old keys no longer turn it.

When rekeying makes sense

Move-in rekeying

The most common reason. Whether you bought a rowhouse in Petworth or a condo near the Wharf, rekey before the boxes are unpacked. You have no way to count the keys handed out before you.

Lost or stolen keys

If a key is missing and could be linked to your address, rekeying is the fast fix. You do not need the lost key for us to do it.

A change in who should have access

A roommate moves out, a relationship ends, a contractor finishes the job. Rekeying resets access without an awkward request to hand keys back.

One key for every door

If your front, back and basement doors each take a different key, we can often key them alike while we are there, as long as the locks share a compatible keyway.

Rekeying for landlords and property managers

Tenant turnover is the moment to rekey. It protects the incoming tenant and gives you a clean record of who holds keys to the unit.

For multi-unit buildings, we rekey units between tenancies, key common areas separately and can set the building up on a master key system, so management carries one key while each tenant’s key opens only their own door.

Renters: check your lease before changing anything. Many DC leases require the landlord’s approval and a copy of the new key.

Rekeying for businesses

For a business, the trigger is usually staff turnover or a lost key ring. Offices, shops and restaurants use different hardware and need keys at more than one level, so that work has its own page: commercial rekeying in Washington, DC.

Rekey or replace the lock?

Rekey when the lock is in good working order and the only problem is who has keys. It is the cheaper option and takes less time.

Replace when the lock is worn, damaged or low grade, or when you want a different type of lock altogether. In that case see our lock change and replacement service. If you are not sure, we will look at the hardware and tell you which one you need.

What rekeying costs and how long it takes

Rekeying starts at $45 per lock. A typical front-and-back-door rekey takes well under an hour, and a whole house can usually be done in one appointment.

High-security and restricted-keyway locks cost more to rekey because the parts and keys are controlled. We confirm the price before starting. See the full price list.

Lock rekey FAQs

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?

Rekeying is cheaper when the existing lock is in good condition, because you pay for labor and keys, not new hardware. Replacement makes sense when the lock itself is worn or you want an upgrade.

Can you rekey a lock without the original key?

Yes. It takes a little longer because we have to open or disassemble the lock another way, but it is routine work.

Can all my locks be rekeyed to one key?

Usually, if they are the same brand or share a keyway. Where one lock is incompatible, we will point it out and offer to replace just that one.

How many keys do I get after a rekey?

We cut new keys on site as part of the job and can make as many extra copies as you need while we are there.

Can smart locks and keypad locks be rekeyed?

If the lock has a physical key cylinder, that cylinder can usually be rekeyed. Access codes are separate and are reset in the lock’s own settings.

Do you rekey locks in my part of DC?

Yes. We cover all four quadrants. For a local example, see our page on rekeying locks in Columbia Heights.

Book a lock rekey in DC

Mr. Locksmith DC rekeys locks across Washington, DC every day from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Call for a firm price based on the number of locks, or book a visit online.