What Does It Mean to Rekey a Lock?
Rekeying changes the pins inside your existing lock so old keys stop working and a new key takes over. In Bed-Stuy it costs $95 for the first cylinder and $25 for each additional one, done in a single visit. Your hardware stays on the door; only the keys change.
We rekey apartments, brownstones, and storefronts across 11216, 11221, and 11233 — usually same-day, with a firm ETA when you call. Locksmith Bed Stuy cuts your new keys on the truck, so you walk away with working copies, not a promise.
Can Every Lock Be Rekeyed?
Almost every keyed lock can. Standard deadbolts, knob locks, mortise cylinders, Segal jimmy-proof cylinders, and most padlocks all rekey normally. High-security cylinders like Medeco and Mul-T-Lock rekey too, though restricted keyways mean the blanks cost more.
Two exceptions worth knowing. A worn-out cylinder is not worth repinning — new pins in dead brass still stick, and we say so on the spot. And keypad smart locks are "rekeyed" by changing codes, which you can do yourself; we only need to visit if the backup key cylinder must change.
Is It Cheaper to Rekey or Replace Locks?
Rekeying is cheaper almost every time. A rekey runs $95 for the first cylinder; replacing a lock starts at $125 plus the cost of new hardware. If your locks work smoothly and you only need to cut off old keyholders, rekey.
Replace instead when the lock itself is failing, was damaged in a break-in, or is a flimsy builder-grade unit you want upgraded. Our rekey-or-replace decision guide lays out both paths with real numbers.
When Should You Rekey Your Locks?
Any time you can no longer name everyone holding a key.
Keying alike deserves a word, because it quietly improves daily life. A brownstone with a gate, a vestibule door, and an apartment door can run on three different keys or one. We pin all three cylinders to a single key in one visit, and the $25-per-additional-cylinder price makes it the cheapest upgrade on the menu.
Can a Tenant Rekey an Apartment in NYC?
Generally, yes. Under NYC rules, tenants may generally add or change a lock on their own door — but must give the landlord a duplicate key if the lease requires it or the landlord asks. This is general information, not legal advice: read your lease before you rekey, since some leases spell out their own process.
We rekey for tenants every week and can cut the landlord's copy at the same visit, so you stay secure and compliant in one step. The full picture — who may change what, and what a landlord can require — is in our NYC apartment lock laws guide.
One practical note for renters: rekeying does not alter the door or the hardware, which makes it the least contentious security upgrade there is. The lock looks identical, the landlord's access is preserved through the duplicate key, and you know exactly how many keys exist because we cut them in front of you.
How Does Master Keying Work for Landlords?
A master key system lets one key open every unit while each tenant's key opens only their own door. For a landlord with a walk-up on Nostrand or a few buildings around Herbert Von King Park, it ends the ring of forty keys.
We design the key hierarchy, pin every cylinder to it, and keep the code records so future turnovers are a quick rekey instead of a rebuild. When a tenant moves out, only that unit gets repinned — your master keeps working and no other tenant is disturbed.
Master key systems are quoted per building, since unit count and door hardware drive the price. Larger portfolios and mixed-use buildings run through our commercial locksmith service.
What Happens During a Rekey Visit?
The technician pulls each cylinder, swaps the pin stacks to a new combination, and cuts your new keys on the truck. A typical apartment with two locks takes under an hour. Old keys die the moment we reassemble the lock — test one yourself before we leave.
Rekeying starts at $95 for the first cylinder and $25 per cylinder after that, keys included in the quoted price. Landlords doing a turnover can book the rekey for the same day the unit is painted — the door is ready before the new lease starts.
Compare every service rate on our pricing page or call (718) 568-6597 for a same-day slot.