Lock Rekeying Costs in Sydney: What You Pay For

Rekeying is one of the most common jobs we do in Bondi Junction and the eastern suburbs, and one of the most cost-effective. It lets you keep locks that are in good condition while making every old key useless. But people are often unsure what they are paying for, or whether rekeying is even the right choice. This guide explains how rekeying is priced, what changes the total, and when it is better value than replacing your locks.

What rekeying actually involves

Most cylinder locks contain a row of small pin stacks. Each stack has a different combination of lengths. When the correct key is inserted, every stack lifts to exactly the right height, the gaps line up with the edge of the cylinder, and the cylinder can turn.

Rekeying replaces those pins with a new combination. A new key is cut to match, and the old keys no longer line up. The lock body, the handle, the door and the frame all stay exactly where they are.

That is why rekeying is usually faster and cheaper than replacement: you are paying for a small set of pins, new keys and the time to do the work, not for a whole new lock and the labour to fit it. For more on the service itself, see our lock rekeying page.

What changes the price of rekeying

Number of locks

Rekeying is priced largely per cylinder. One front-door deadlock is a small job. A house with a front deadlock, a front entrance set, a back door, a laundry door and a side gate is five cylinders. Most locksmiths charge less per lock as the number increases, because the travel and setup are shared across the job.

Type of lock

Standard pin-tumbler cylinders are straightforward. Some locks take more time:

• Deadlocks where the cylinder must be removed from the door first.
• Mortice locks on older terrace and Federation doors, which have their own cylinder types.
• Restricted or high-security systems, where new keys can only be ordered through authorised channels.
• Some cheaper locks that cannot be rekeyed at all, in which case replacement is the only option.

Number of keys

Each lock is normally rekeyed with a couple of keys. If you need more — for each member of the household, a cleaner, a property manager — extra keys add to the cost. It is worth thinking about how many you really need, because every extra key is another one to keep track of.

One key for several locks

Many people like having a single key for the front door, back door and side gate. If the locks use compatible cylinders, we can rekey them all to one key. Where the locks are different brands or styles, it may not be possible without replacing one of them. We will tell you which applies to your locks.

Timing

A rekey booked at a convenient time costs less than an urgent rekey squeezed in the same day. That said, if your keys have been lost or stolen with something that shows your address, waiting is not wise. Our hours are 7 days, 8:00am – 7:00pm.

Rekeying versus replacing: the cost comparison

If your locks are in good condition, rekeying is almost always cheaper than replacing them. The real comparison is not about price alone, though. It is about whether the lock is worth keeping.

Rekeying makes sense when:

• The locks work smoothly and are reasonable quality.
• You have just moved into a home or apartment.
• A housemate, tenant or staff member has moved on.
• Keys have been lost but the locks are fine.

Replacement makes more sense when:

• The lock is worn, damaged or sticks even after adjustment.
• The lock is very basic for the door it protects.
• The lock type cannot be rekeyed.
• You want a different style or a security upgrade.

Paying to rekey a poor lock is false economy: you get a new key for a bad lock. If we think that is the situation, we will say so. See our full guide, Rekey or Replace Your Locks?, and our lock replacement page.

Rekeying for renters, landlords and businesses

Renters

In NSW, tenants and landlords generally need each other's consent before changing locks, with some exceptions. Rekeying counts as changing the locks. If you rent, talk to your landlord or agent first; we are happy to work with them directly. Our guide to NSW lock change rules for landlords and tenants explains more.

Landlords and property managers

Rekeying between tenancies is a simple way to make sure former tenants' keys no longer work. In busy rental areas like Bondi and Randwick, where flats change hands often, it is one of the most common jobs we do. Rekeying several properties in one visit keeps the cost per lock down.

Businesses

When a staff member leaves with a key, the cheapest secure response is usually to rekey the affected locks. For businesses with many keyholders, a restricted key system can make future key control easier. See our commercial locksmith page.

How to keep rekeying costs down

1. Count your locks before you call. Include side gates, garages, laundry doors and window locks if they are keyed.
2. Decide on one key or several. One key is convenient, but only if the locks are compatible.
3. Order only the keys you need.
4. Bundle jobs. If a lock also sticks, have it adjusted on the same visit.
5. Book ahead when the job is not urgent.

What a fair quote should include

A fair rekeying quote should tell you:

• How many cylinders are being rekeyed.
• How many keys you will receive.
• Whether the locks will all work on one key.
• Whether any lock cannot be rekeyed and what the alternative is.
• The total price before work begins.

If any of those are unclear, ask. A good locksmith will not mind explaining.

Common rekeying situations, step by step

You have just moved in

When you buy or rent a home, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the keys exist. Previous owners, previous tenants, tradespeople, cleaners, neighbours who watered the plants — any of them may still have one. Rekeying on the day you move in, or as soon as possible afterwards, is the most effective single step you can take for your security in a new home.

A typical move-in rekey covers the front door deadlock and entrance set, the back door and any side or garage door. If you also want the windows locked, mention it, because keyed window locks can often be set to the same key.

A housemate has moved out

Share houses are common in Randwick, Bondi and around Bondi Junction. When someone moves out, they are supposed to return every key, but copies are easy to make and easy to forget. If the household agrees, rekeying the front door is cheap peace of mind. In a rental, check with your landlord or agent first.

Keys are lost or stolen

If you have lost keys with nothing that links them to your address, the risk is low and rekeying is optional. If the keys were in a bag with your licence, a letter or anything else showing where you live, rekey promptly. Whoever has those keys also knows which door they open.

A staff member has left

For a business, every key held by a former employee is a small, ongoing risk. Rekeying the affected doors closes that risk for a modest cost. If staff turnover is regular, ask about a restricted key system, which controls how copies are made.

How long does rekeying take?

Most standard cylinders take only a short time each once we are on site. A typical house with three or four locks is usually a single, short visit. Deadlocks that have to be removed from the door, older mortice locks and restricted systems take longer. We will give you an idea of timing when you book.

What to keep after a rekey

Once your locks are rekeyed, write down how many keys exist and who holds each one. It sounds fussy, but it means that next time a key goes missing you know exactly what the risk is. Store spares somewhere secure inside the home rather than outdoors, and avoid labelling keys with your address.

Is rekeying secure?

Yes, when done properly. A rekeyed lock is exactly as secure as it was before, with a new key. It does not make a poor lock better, though. If your lock is very basic, rekeying fixes the key problem but not the lock's weaknesses. In that case we will suggest a security upgrade or replacement.

Get a rekeying quote in Bondi Junction

Call Lizzy Locksmith Bondi Junction on 02 6423 0404, open 7 days, 8:00am – 7:00pm, or send a quote request. Tell us how many locks you have and what type they are, and we will give you a clear figure before any work starts. See also our residential locksmith services.