Rekey vs. Replace Your Locks: A Broward County Homeowner’s Guide
October 5, 2026
Just moved into a new place? Lost a house key? Wondering who else might have a copy? When your home’s security is in question, you’re faced with two choices: rekey your locks or replace them. Most homeowners don’t know the difference — and end up paying more than they need to.
Here’s a plain-English breakdown of rekeying vs. replacing, when each makes sense, and how a mobile locksmith in Broward County handles both.
What Does It Mean to Rekey a Lock?
Rekeying doesn’t change the lock on your door — it changes the lock’s inside. A locksmith replaces the small pins inside the cylinder so that your old keys no longer work and a brand-new set of keys does. Same door, same lock hardware, new keys.
It’s quick, affordable, and in most cases can be done at your home in under an hour — no new hardware to buy, no door modifications needed.
What Does It Mean to Replace a Lock?
Replacing means removing the entire lock — deadbolt, knob, or handle set — and installing a new one. You get fresh hardware, a new finish, and new keys. It costs more because you’re paying for the hardware plus the labor to install it.
When Rekeying Is the Smart Move
Rekeying is the right call when your existing locks are in good working condition and you simply need to change who can open them. That’s the case in most of these common situations:
- You just moved in. Previous owners, tenants, house cleaners, contractors, neighbors — you have no idea how many copies of your keys are floating around Broward County. Rekeying is the single most important security step after a move.
- You lost a key or had one stolen. If someone finds that key with an address tag, your home is exposed.
- A roommate moved out or a relationship ended. Rekeying is cheaper than an awkward conversation.
- Your locks still work fine. If the deadbolts turn smoothly and the hardware is solid, there’s no reason to buy new locks.
When Replacing Makes More Sense
Replacement wins when the problem is the hardware itself, not just the keys:
- The lock is damaged, loose, or worn out — sticking, jamming, or falling apart.
- You want to upgrade security — moving from a basic knob lock to a high-security deadbolt, or adding smart lock features.
- You’re changing the look — remodeling or updating to a new finish throughout the house.
Rekeying vs. Replacing: Cost Comparison
Rekeying is almost always the cheaper option — typically a fraction of the cost of full replacement, since you’re not buying new hardware for every door. Replacing several locks across a home means buying each lock set plus paying for installation.
One more advantage of rekeying: a locksmith can key all your locks alike — front door, back door, side door — so a single key opens everything. No more fumbling with a heavy key ring.
Why Call a Mobile Locksmith Instead of DIY?
You can buy rekeying kits at hardware stores, but they assume you know how to disassemble a lock without losing a spring-loaded pin down a floor vent. Do it wrong and the lock jams — or quietly stops working properly.
A professional mobile locksmith rekeys all your doors on-site in one visit, cuts the new keys to factory precision, and tests every lock before leaving. At Key Buddy Locksmith, you also get an upfront price before any work starts — no surprises.
Rekeying for Broward County Homes and Rentals
Key Buddy Locksmith & Car Key LLC is a 100% mobile locksmith serving Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Plantation, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Davie, Boca Raton, and surrounding areas. Whether you just bought your first home, took over a rental property, or simply want old keys to stop working, we come to you with everything needed to rekey your locks on-site. We’re open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Need your locks rekeyed? Call Key Buddy at (954) 770-2058 — new keys, same day, right at your door.