What Is Lock Rekeying & When Do You Need It?
Rekeying a lock is the process of changing the internal pin tumblers inside a lock cylinder so that the old keys no longer work. Your existing lock hardware — the knob, deadbolt, door handle, and strike plate — remains completely in place. Only the small brass or nickel pins inside the cylinder are replaced to match a new key. The result is a fully secure lock that works only with the new keys you receive.
Rekeying is one of the most cost-effective security upgrades you can make. 770 Locksmith provides professional lock rekeying for all residential and commercial lock types throughout Orange County — at your property, same day, without replacing a single piece of hardware.
When Should You Rekey Your Locks?
Moving Into a New Home
Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, and neighbors may all have copies of your keys. Rekeying immediately after move-in is the single most important security step for new homeowners.
Lost or Stolen Keys
If your keys are lost or stolen, anyone who finds them knows they belong to a house somewhere in your area. Rekey your locks immediately so those keys become useless.
Ended Relationship / Tenancy
An ex-partner, former roommate, or previous tenant may have kept a copy of your key. Rekeying gives you peace of mind without the awkwardness of asking for it back.
After a Contractor or Service Visit
If you gave a contractor, housekeeper, or property manager a key and no longer need them to have access, rekeying is faster and more reliable than trying to recover all copies.
After a Break-In or Attempted Entry
Even if nothing was taken, a break-in may mean your key security has been compromised. Rekey or replace locks to restore full security.
Too Many Keys in Circulation
Over years of ownership, many copies of your keys may have been made and distributed. Rekeying resets your security without replacing all your hardware.
Rekey All Locks to One Key
One of the most popular rekeying requests is "keying alike" — configuring multiple locks to work with the same key. If your front door, back door, garage entry, and deadbolts all use different keys, we can rekey them all to work on one master key. This is especially convenient for families, property managers, and AirBnB hosts who want simple, consistent access control.
Lock Brands We Rekey
We rekey all major residential lock brands including Kwikset, Schlage, Baldwin, Defiant, Master Lock, Weiser, Brinks, Yale, and most other standard pin-tumbler lock brands. We also rekey Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and other high-security cylinders. Call us with your lock brand and model if you have a question about compatibility.
Rekeying vs. Lock Replacement — Which Is Right for You?
- Rekey if: Your locks are in good condition, your hardware is relatively new or high quality, and you simply want to change who has access.
- Replace if: Your locks are old, damaged, of low quality, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security option such as a Grade 1 deadbolt or smart lock.
We assess your locks honestly and recommend the most cost-effective solution for your situation.
Lock Rekey Service Throughout Orange County
We rekey locks at homes, apartments, condos, townhomes, and commercial properties throughout all Orange County cities. Same-day service is available. We bring all rekey kits, new keys, and tools to your location — no parts to source, no waiting.