Lock Rekeying Costs in Sydney: A Plain Guide

Rekeying is one of the most useful and most misunderstood jobs a locksmith does. It changes which key opens a lock without replacing the lock itself, and in most cases it costs noticeably less than buying and fitting new hardware. This guide explains what rekeying involves, what affects the cost, and how to work out whether it is the right choice for your home or business in Sydney's inner west.

We are not going to quote a single headline figure, because the honest answer depends on the locks in front of us. What we will do is lay out every factor, so you can understand any rekeying quote you receive, from us or anyone else.

What rekeying actually is

Most door locks in Australian homes use a pin-tumbler cylinder. Inside it are small spring-loaded pins of different lengths. When the right key goes in, the cuts on the key lift each pin to exactly the right height, the pins line up along a shear line, and the cylinder can turn.

Rekeying means taking the cylinder apart, removing the old pins and fitting a new set that matches a new key. The lock body, the bolt and the handle stay exactly where they are. Every old key stops working the moment the cylinder goes back in.

That is why rekeying is so effective after moving house, losing keys or changing tenants. You do not need to know how many old copies exist; none of them will work.

Our lock rekeying page describes the process step by step.

What affects the price

The number of locks

Each cylinder has to be removed, stripped, re-pinned and refitted. More locks mean more labour. A typical house might have a front deadbolt, a front deadlatch, a back door lock and a security screen. A unit might have one or two. Rekeying several locks in a single visit is more efficient than doing them one at a time across separate visits.

The type of lock

Standard residential cylinders are quick to rekey. Some locks take longer:

• Mortice locks, common in older Lidcombe and Strathfield homes, often have a different cylinder design and can be slower to remove.
• Security screen door locks sometimes need the screen hardware partly dismantled.
• High-security and restricted-profile cylinders may need specific pins or have to be ordered through the manufacturer's key system.
• Some cheap locks cannot be rekeyed at all, because they are sealed or their parts are not available. In that case replacement is the only option.

How many keys you want

A rekey includes new keys cut to the new combination. If you need extra copies for family members, staff or a property manager, each additional key adds a small amount.

Keying alike

Many people like the idea of one key opening every door. When the locks share a compatible keyway, we can pin them all to the same combination during the rekey. This is usually only a little extra work, and it is one of the best-value improvements you can make. If the locks come from different brands with incompatible keyways, keying alike may require replacing one or more cylinders.

Condition of the lock

Rekeying a worn lock does not make it new. If a cylinder is badly worn, corroded or damaged, we will tell you that rekeying it is poor value and quote a replacement instead. It is better to spend once than twice.

Rekeying versus new locks: the cost logic

When you replace a lock you pay for:

• the new lock hardware;
• the labour to remove the old lock and fit the new one;
• any extra work on the door if the new lock is a different size.

When you rekey you pay for:

• the labour to strip and re-pin the cylinder;
• a small amount for pins;
• new keys.

The lock hardware is often the largest part of a replacement bill, which is why rekeying usually works out cheaper. Our article on whether to rekey or replace covers the decision in detail.

When rekeying is the right choice

Rekeying is usually the better option when:

• you have just bought or moved into a property and do not know who has keys;
• a key has been lost or stolen;
• a tenant, housemate, cleaner or staff member has left;
• the locks are in good working order and secure enough for the door;
• you want all your doors on one key and the locks are compatible.

When replacement makes more sense

Replacement is usually better when:

• the lock is worn, damaged or corroded;
• the lock is a low-security design that can be slipped or forced easily;
• the door only has a spring latch and needs a deadbolt;
• you want a restricted key system that cannot be copied freely;
• the lock cannot be rekeyed.

See lock replacement and security locksmith for those options.

Rekeying for landlords and agents

Rental properties are where rekeying really earns its place. Around Lidcombe station and in the apartment blocks of Auburn and Homebush, units change hands often. Rekeying between tenancies is quick, keeps the existing hardware, and gives the incoming tenant confidence that no previous occupant can let themselves in.

In NSW, changes to locks in a rented home are covered by tenancy law. Landlords and tenants generally need each other's agreement before altering locks, with some exceptions. Our guide to NSW landlord and tenant lock rules explains the basics, but always check the current position with NSW Fair Trading.

Rekeying for businesses

For shops and offices, rekeying after a staff member leaves is good practice. If keys have been handed out widely over the years, it may be worth moving to a restricted key system where copies can only be made with the business's authorisation. Our commercial locksmith page covers that.

How to get an accurate rekeying quote

You can help us give you a tight range on the phone:

1. Count the locks you want rekeyed.
2. Photograph each one from the outside, showing the keyhole and any brand name.
3. Tell us how many keys you need.
4. Tell us whether you want everything keyed alike.

Email the photos to [email protected] or use the quote form.

Can you bring locks in?

For some jobs, yes. If you can remove a cylinder yourself, or you have a spare lock to be keyed to match, you can bring it to the workshop at 15 Vaughan St, Lidcombe during opening hours. Call first so we can make sure someone is there. This can avoid a call-out entirely.

A few common questions

How long does rekeying take? Usually 15 to 30 minutes per lock, depending on the type.

Will rekeying make my lock more secure? It makes it secure against old keys. It does not change the strength of the lock itself.

Can you rekey a lock without the original key? Often yes, though it may take longer, particularly if the lock has to be opened first.

Do you keep a copy of my new key? No. Every key we cut is handed to you.

Get a rekeying quote

If you are in Lidcombe, Auburn, Berala, Regents Park, Homebush or Strathfield, call 02 4503 6922 with the number of locks and we will give you a price range straight away. We are open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and every job is quoted before work starts.