Commercial Rekeying
Quick, professional rekeying for Austin businesses
Commercial Rekeying in Austin, TX
An employee left last Friday. They returned their key, probably. But did they make copies? The truth is you don't know, and in commercial environments that uncertainty has real consequences. Rekeying your business locks makes every old key useless instantly. No tracking down copies, no worrying about what the fired warehouse manager might do with his spare. We've rekeyed thousands of Austin business doors - from single-office professionals to entire commercial buildings. It's faster and cheaper than replacing locks, and it accomplishes the same security goal: only the keys you control work in your locks.
When Commercial Rekeying Makes Sense
Employee turnover is the primary driver. Every departure creates key uncertainty. Did they return all copies? Did they share keys with anyone? In a residential context, you might tolerate that uncertainty. In a commercial context where you have inventory, equipment, client data, or liability exposure, the stakes are higher.
Tenant changes in multi-unit commercial buildings require rekeying. When a business moves out of your office building or retail strip, you need to ensure they can't access the space after the lease ends. The departing tenant returned their keys - but property management has no way to know how many copies exist. Standard practice is to rekey between tenants.
Security incidents demand immediate action. If keys are lost, stolen, or you suspect unauthorized copying, rekeying eliminates the risk immediately. Waiting to see if something happens is gambling with your security.
Acquisition and management changes often trigger company-wide rekeying. When a new owner takes over a business or a new property manager assumes a building, they want to know exactly who has access. Rekeying provides that certainty and establishes a clean baseline.
Regular security cycles make sense for high-turnover businesses. Restaurants, retail stores, and warehouses with frequent employee changes might rekey quarterly or annually rather than after each departure. Bundled rekeying costs less than constant individual rekeys.
- Volume Discounts
- Master Key Integration
- Key Control
- After Hours Service
Commercial Rekeying Process
Rekeying changes the internal pins of your lock cylinders so that existing keys no longer work. The lock body stays in place - we're not replacing hardware, just reconfiguring what keys operate it. This takes about 10-15 minutes per lock.
We can key all your locks alike (one key works everything), set up keyed-different configurations (each door has its own key), or integrate with master key systems (managers get keys that work multiple doors, employees get keys for their areas only). We discuss your access needs and configure accordingly.
The process works on most commercial lock brands and types. Cylindrical locksets (standard lever handles), mortise locks, deadbolts, and high-security cylinders can all be rekeyed. We verify each lock's condition while rekeying - if we find worn components, we'll let you know before they become problems.
High-security locks with restricted keyways (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA Abloy) require special pins and blanks that we obtain through authorized channels. These systems provide key control that standard locks can't - keys can only be copied through authorized dealers, giving you certainty about who has keys.
After rekeying, you receive new keys based on your quantity requirements. We can cut additional keys on-site if you need them. All old keys become useless - they won't even insert properly into the rekeyed cylinders.
Minimizing Business Disruption
We understand that your business can't stop for lock work. Commercial rekeying is designed to minimize disruption to your operations.
After-hours service is available. Many Austin businesses prefer we rekey overnight or on weekends when the office is empty. No employees wondering why the locksmith is here, no interruptions to workflow, no customers seeing security work in progress.
During-business-hours work is also possible. We work door by door, keeping each door out of service for only 10-15 minutes. Employees can use other entrances during each lock's service window. For buildings with many doors, we can stagger the work across multiple visits.
Key distribution planning prevents the morning-after chaos. We coordinate with you on how many keys you need, who gets them, and when. Keys can be ready the morning after overnight work, or we can cut them on-site during daytime service for immediate distribution.
For large-scale rekeying (entire buildings, multiple locations), we create project plans with timelines, door counts, and key counts. You know exactly when each area will be rekeyed and when new keys will be available.
Commercial Rekeying vs. Lock Replacement
Rekeying makes sense when your locks are in good condition and you simply need to invalidate old keys. At $25-50 per lock versus $100-200 for replacement, rekeying saves significant money while accomplishing the same security goal.
Lock replacement makes sense when hardware is worn, damaged, or outdated. If your locks are sticky, if keys are hard to turn, if the mechanisms are visibly corroded - new locks solve problems that rekeying can't address. We assess each lock during service and give honest recommendations.
Upgrading hardware during a security reset is common. If you're rekeying anyway, it's a natural time to upgrade from builder-grade locks to commercial-grade hardware, add deadbolts where you only have knob locks, or install high-security cylinders with key control. We can combine rekeying (for locks you're keeping) with replacement (for locks you're upgrading) in the same service visit.
For businesses with many locks, we often find a mix: some locks are fine and need only rekeying, others are worn and should be replaced. We provide itemized quotes so you can make informed decisions about each door.
Why Choose Austin Locksmiths for Commercial Rekeying?
Austin locals trust us for fast, reliable service
Fast Turnaround
Minimize business disruption
Cost Effective
Cheaper than new locks
Master Key Compatible
Integrate with existing system
After Hours Available
We work around your schedule
How It Works
Getting help is easy - here's what to expect
Inventory Locks
Identify all locks to rekey
Rekey All
Change pins in each cylinder
Distribute Keys
Provide new keys to authorized personnel
Ready to get started?
Call Now: (512) 354-0025Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Rekeying
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