Emergency Rekeying

When you call, we schedule the earliest available appointment - often within a few hours. Tell us how many exterior doors you have and whether there are secondary locks like deadbolts or chain locks. This helps us estimate time and pricing accurately.

Our technician arrives with the tools and pin kits needed for common lock brands. We remove the cylinder from each lock, dump the old pins, and install new pins in a different configuration. The process takes 10-15 minutes per lock for standard deadbolts and knob locks.

You choose how many new keys you want. Most customers request 2-4 keys. If you have multiple exterior doors, we'll key them all alike so one key works everything - no more fumbling with different keys for front door, back door, and garage entry.

The whole process typically takes 30-60 minutes for a home with 3-4 exterior locks. When we're done, you test all your new keys, and we test the old keys to confirm they no longer work. You hand out new keys to whoever needs them, and nobody else can get in.

Emergency rekeying runs $25-45 per lock, with discounts available when you're rekeying multiple locks at once. A typical home with 3 exterior locks (front door, back door, garage entry) runs $75-100 total including labor and new keys.

Factors that affect price: lock brand and quality (some brands require specialty pin kits), lock condition (corroded or damaged locks may need repair before rekeying), number of keys requested (bulk keys cost less per key), and whether you want smart or keyed-alike configuration.

Emergency pricing is the same as standard pricing - we don't charge premium rates just because you need it done today. Same-day service is standard for rekeying because we understand the urgency. You shouldn't have to pay extra because your roommate moved out without warning.

We provide complete pricing before starting work. If we discover issues during the job - a damaged cylinder, a lock that can't be rekeyed - we discuss options and revised pricing before proceeding. No surprise charges after the fact.

Rekeying solves the immediate key-access problem, but it's also a good time to evaluate your overall security. While we're at your home, we can assess whether your current locks provide adequate protection or whether upgrades would improve your safety.

If you're rekeying because of a concerning situation - a stalker ex, a hostile former roommate - consider whether your locks are pick-resistant and kick-resistant. Standard builder-grade hardware offers minimal protection. A determined person can defeat it. Upgrading to Grade 2 or Grade 1 deadbolts, installing reinforced strike plates, and adding security improvements provides better protection than rekeying alone.

For apartment renters, inform your landlord that you've rekeyed and provide them a key. Most Texas leases allow landlord access for emergencies. If your lease requires landlord approval for lock changes, rekeying is generally permitted since you're not changing the actual hardware - but check your lease and communicate proactively.

Document who has your new keys and when you distributed them. If you need to rekey again later, knowing the key distribution history helps assess risk and make better decisions about frequency of key rotation.