Lock replacement and rekeying are how you make sure only the right people have keys. You have just bought or rented a house, a tenant has moved out, keys have gone missing or a lock is worn out. Often you do not need new locks at all: a cylinder can be rekeyed so the old keys stop working. Other times a weak lock should go. Tell us how many doors and which locks you have, and local locksmiths will send free quotes, with no obligation.
Lock replacement or rekeying: which do you need?
Rekeying means changing the pins inside a cylinder lock so it works with new keys. The lock stays in the door, which saves the cost of new hardware. Door locks that can be rekeyed are mainly pin cylinder locks: euro cylinders, rim cylinders and most knob and deadbolt cylinders.
Replacement is better when the lock is worn, damaged, too weak for an outside door, or a lever lock. Lever mortice locks are either fitted with new levers or swapped for a new lock.
When to change door locks
- after moving into a house or flat, because you never know who has old keys
- when a tenant, domestic worker or contractor leaves with keys
- after lost or stolen keys, especially with your address nearby
- after a break-in, or when a lock is stiff, loose or worn
- when your insurer asks for a 5 lever lock on outside doors
Choosing the new lock and keys
Match the new lock to the door. A euro cylinder must suit the door thickness so it does not stick out; choose anti-snap on outside doors. Lever locks on outside doors should be 5 lever. Ask for keys that are cut to code with the lock, not copied. Think about the keys too: one key for front, back and garage doors (keyed alike) is easier to live with, and a master key system suits offices and rentals. A thumb turn inside is quicker to get out in a fire than a key.
What affects the price
The number of doors, the lock types, whether the locks are rekeyed or replaced, the grade of the new hardware and the number of keys all change the quote. Ask each locksmith to list:
- every door and the lock or cylinder for each
- whether each one is rekeyed or replaced
- how many keys you get, and whether they are restricted
- the guarantee on the locks and the work
A written list makes two quotes easy to compare.
What to include in your request
- How many doors and which doors
- The lock type on each door
- Rekey only or new locks
- One key for all doors, or different keys
- How many keys you need
Lock Replacement and Rekeying for different clients
- Homeowners: rekeying every outside door after moving in so old keys stop working
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: unit locks changed between owners and common doors rekeyed when keys go missing
- Offices, shops and practices: office and shop locks rekeyed when a staff member leaves with keys
- Landlords and letting agents: rekeying between tenants so each new tenant gets the only working keys
- Factories, warehouses and workshops: warehouse doors and gates rekeyed or replaced after keys go missing
- Farms and smallholdings: farmhouse and store locks replaced when a manager or worker moves on
- Schools, clinics, churches and hostels: classroom and office locks rekeyed when keys cannot be accounted for
- Builders, shopfitters and contractors: new locks keyed alike on handover of a newly built or renovated house
Frequently asked questions
How much does lock replacement cost?
Can I change my door locks myself?
Which door locks can be rekeyed?
How long does it take to rekey or replace locks?
Lock Replacement and Rekeying by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg