Lock Rekeying for Phoenix Metro

When to Rekey | What is Rekeying | Is it Cheaper to Rekey or Replace? | What is Master Keying? |

Whether you’ve just moved into a new place, lost a key, or need to limit who can access your property, lock rekeying is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to improve your security by removing access from anyone that may have an existing key to your home.

At ACME Locksmith, we’ve been providing professional lock rekeying in Phoenix and throughout the Valley since 1997. With more than 170,000 customers served, we’re Arizona’s most trusted locksmith — and the only locksmith in the U.S. to receive the BBB Ethics Award.

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🔑 When Should You Rekey Your Locks?

You should rekey your locks if:

• You’ve moved into a new home or rental. You have no idea who may have a copy of the key you were provided. Lock rekeying removes their access.
• You’ve ended a relationship and worry they may have made a copy of your key (e.g., employee, ex-partner, roommate, cleaner)
• A key has been lost or stolen
• You want all doors to open with one key
• A tenant has moved out

If you’ve left a spare key in your car and your car was stolen — rekey immediately.

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ACME Locksmith Rekeying Services

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Why Choose ACME?

✔ Trusted Since 1997 – Over 170,000 customers served. (We’re a veteran-owned, local company.)
✔ Affordable Rates – Priced below the national average.
✔ Convenient – We come to you, or you can visit our one of our 4 locations to save a service call fee.
✔ Guaranteed Service – Our workmanship warranty of 1 year is the longest offered in Phoenix.

When you choose ACME, you’re getting Phoenix’s #1-rated locksmith service. We’re known for our honesty and reliability.

Customers regularly find us by searching:

• Rekey locks in Phoenix
• Change locks in Chandler
• Rekey my house in Mesa
• Rekey a business in Gilbert
• Rekey door locks in Scottsdale

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🔄 What Is Lock Rekeying?

Rekeying a lock means changing its internal pins so the current keys no longer work, and a new key is required to open it. The process is fast, cost-effective, and doesn’t require replacing the entire lock.

Think of it like resetting your password: the lock stays the same, but only a brand-new key will work from now on.

🛠️ How Does Rekeying Work?

All common locks, like deadbolts and door knobs, use a pin tumbler mechanism. Inside the lock are stacks of small pins that line up when the correct key is inserted. That alignment creates a “shear line” that lets the lock turn smoothly inside of the lock housing.

During a rekey:

1. The lock is removed from the door
2. The internal pins are taken out and replaced
3. A new key is cut to match the new pin configuration
4. The lock is cleaned, lubricated, and tested
5. We confirm the old keys no longer work

No drilling. No damage. Just a new key and peace of mind.

What Is Master Keying?

Master keying is the process of configuring a lock so it can be opened by multiple keys. For example:

• Individual users have keys for only their offices
• A manager or owner has one key that opens every office and the building doors

Master key systems are great for:

• Businesses and office buildings
• Multi-tenant properties
• Maintenance staff access
• School and healthcare facilities

We install and maintain custom master key systems using both standard and high-security lock formats.

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🔍 Is it Cheaper to Rekey or Replace Locks?

Rekeying is almost always the smarter option — unless your locks are physically damaged or you want to upgrade their appearance or security level. You can save up to 10x by rekeying compared to replacing — especially if you have multiple doors.

Feature	Rekeying	Replacing Locks
Cost	Lower	Higher (new hardware required)
Time	Faster	Longer (hardware removal/install)
Aesthetics	No change	New styles and finishes
Key Control	Full reset – only you have the keys	Full reset – only you have the keys
Security	Can be improved if needed by adding anti-bump, anti-pick pins.	Grade 1/2 door locks usually come with anti-bump, anti=pick pins installed
Best Use	After move-in, lost keys, etc.	Damaged locks or upgrades

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ACME Locksmith rekeys locks in Apache Junction homes, Ahwatukee condos, Chandler businesses, and properties all across the Valley. We provide fast, licensed rekeying in Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Queen Creek, Glendale, and Gold Canyon.

Popular Brands We Service

ACME Locksmith can rekey most residential and commercial lock brands, including:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is lock rekeying?

Rekeying a lock means changing the internal pins or tumblers of the lock so it works with a new key. The old keys will no longer work. Your lock hardware stays the same, but it’s essentially “reset” to a new key. This is a fast and secure way to change locks without actually replacing them.

Can You Rekey a Lock Without Replacing It?

Yes. In fact, that’s the point of rekeying.

A locksmith will remove the cylinder, change the internal pins (or wafers), and issue a brand-new key. The original lock hardware stays on your door, and your old keys no longer work.

Should I rekey or replace my locks?

In most cases, rekeying is all you need. Rekeying a lock is much cheaper than replacing it, because you’re only changing the pin setup, not the entire lock. If your locks are in good condition, we recommend rekeying instead of installing new locks on your doors. (However, if a lock is damaged or you want an upgraded lock model, then changing it might be appropriate.)

Can I Rekey My Own Locks?

You can rekey your own locks with the right kit and experience.

But a single mistake (like losing a spring or mixing up pin sizes) can cause the lock to jam, stop turning, or fail entirely.

We often help customers who attempted DIY kits and ended up with half-disassembled locks in Ziploc bags.

Bringing your locks into our shop is often cheaper than buying a DIY kit — and guaranteed to work.

If you are willing to take on the challenge, you can buy an inexpensive rekey kits on Amazon. This is really a case where you need the right tools for the job and a rekey kit is a quick and affordable way to get them.

When should I rekey my locks?

Whenever security is a concern due to unknown or lost keys. For example, you should rekey all locks when you move into a new home, apartment, or business location – you never know who might have a copy of the old key. Businesses should rekey locks whenever an employee with key access leaves. Landlords rekey between tenants to keep properties secure (and we offer quick unit turnover rekeying). Anytime a key is lost or stolen, it’s wise to rekey the affected locks for peace of mind.

Can I have all my locks use the same key

Yes! If your locks are compatible, we can rekey multiple locks to work with one key (also called “keying alike”). We can rekey new locks to match the key you already have — as long as the new lock is compatible with your current keyway. (Example: Schlage to Schlage, or compatible brands.)

Does rekeying my lock make it less secure or damage it?

Not at all. Rekeying does no harm to your lock. Our Phoenix locksmith team are experts at rekeying locks without causing any damage. The lock will be as secure as before – in fact, more secure, since old keys won’t work.

How long does a lock rekey take?

For a standard door lock, our mobile service can rekey it in about 20–30 minutes (per lock). If you have many locks or high-security models, it may take a bit longer.

How much does it cost to rekey locks?

Rekeying is very affordable – often a fraction of the cost of new locks. Residential rekeying cost starts at just a few dollars per lock plus a service fee. Commercial rekeying cost varies based on complexity. Call us for a free quote.

Do I need to bring my locks to the shop, or will you come to me?

Whatever works best for you. You can bring your locks to one of our shops (and avoid a service call fee), or we’ll come to you anywhere in the Phoenix metro area.

Do you offer 24/7 emergency rekeying?

Yes. We offer urgent lock rekeying services for emergencies such as break-ins, lost keys, or sudden security concerns. Call 480-380-2263 for assistance.

Can I rekey smart locks?

Yes — many smart locks have mechanical key backups that we can rekey (e.g., Yale Assure, Schlage Encode, eufy, etc…) to match the key that works every other lock.

Can you rekey my locks if I lost the key?

Yes. We may need to pick the lock to remove the lock cylinder, but we can still rekey it. Because of the extra bit of work, it is slightly more expensive than if you had the current key.

Ho to Rekey a Kwikset Smart Key Lock

Watch our YouTube Video How to Rekey Kwikset SmartKey Locks.

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