- Genuinely open 24/7
- ID & ownership verified
- Quote before any work
- Mobile — we come to you
Rekeying shines when the hardware is in good shape but the key situation is not — a move-in, a breakup, a lost key, a contractor who had a copy. Rather than buy new locks, you reset who has access for a fraction of the cost.
Inside every pin-tumbler lock is a stack of pins set to match one key. Rekeying swaps those pins to match a new key instead. The lock body, finish, and feel stay exactly the same; only the key that works changes.
What a rekey involves
On site in the San Fernando Valley, the job runs:
- We confirm you own or are authorized for the home, and check ID.
- We remove each cylinder, replace the pins to match a new key, and reinstall it.
- We test every door with the new key and, if you asked, key them all alike.
- You get the new keys and the total agreed in writing before we started.
- We check each lock turns smoothly afterward, since a tired cylinder can be felt during a rekey.
- If a lock is too worn to hold a rekey well, we flag it and talk through a change instead.
When you need this
- You just moved in and have no idea who holds a copy.
- A key was lost or stolen and you want the old one made useless.
- A tenant, roommate, or contractor moved on and had a key.
- Your doors take different keys and you want one key for all of them.
Honest limits
A rekey only helps where the hardware is still sound. On a lock that already binds or is corroded, re-pinning buys little, and we would rather point you to a change than take payment for a fix that will not last.
What affects what you pay
Rather than guess at a price online, we look at the lock or vehicle, explain your options, and give you the total up front. You approve it in writing before we start.
The main cost factors are the hardware involved, how the job has to be done, the time of day, and whether parts need ordering in. We walk through those with you on the call so the written quote holds no surprises.
How we keep it honest
Expect us to ask for identification and some proof that the property or vehicle is yours or that you are authorized for it. We do this on every job, and we appreciate your patience with it.
Ask us how long and you will get a real answer shaped by where we are and the traffic, not a figure picked to sound good.
Locked out or need a lock sorted?
Call and tell us what is going on. We will give you an honest arrival window and a clear quote before any work starts.
Questions people ask
Is rekeying cheaper than new locks?
Usually, yes, because we reuse your hardware and only change the pins. We quote both options in the San Fernando Valley if you are weighing a rekey against a full lock change.
Can one key work all my doors?
Yes, as long as the locks are compatible. Keying alike is a common request, and we set it up during the rekey so a single key opens every exterior door.
Do old keys still work after a rekey?
No. That is the point. Once we re-pin the cylinder, any previous key stops opening it, and only the new key works.
Can you rekey locks of different brands together?
Often, if the cylinders accept a common keyway. Where brands are incompatible we explain the options rather than force a mismatch.
Do I need to be there?
We need the authorized owner or resident to confirm identity and access, so yes, someone with the right to the property should be on site.
From the blog
Rekey or replace your locks? How to tell
Rekeying and replacing locks solve different problems. A plain guide to which one you actually need — and how to avoid paying for the wrong one.
Locked out of your house? A calm, step-by-step plan
A practical, no-panic guide to a house lockout in the San Fernando Valley — what to try first, what not to do, and when to call a locksmith.