When you move into a new house, the first questions savvy homeowners ask is: “Rekeying or lock replacement; which option is right for our new home?” Both options solve the same core problem — making sure no one with an old key can walk in — but they do it in very different ways, at very different price points, and with different long-term implications.

The no-nonsense breakdown to help you decide

The cost comparison here is an example only to show the difference. Actual costs are best determined by a phone call to ApexAccess and a possible site survey.

Factor	Rekeying	Full Lock Replacement
Cost (per door, average)	$50 – $150	$150 – $450+
Time required	15–30 minutes per lock.	30–90 minutes per lock + possible door adjustments.
When old keys become useless	Immediately after rekeying	Immediately after installation
Keeps your existing hardware	Yes (same look, same keys for all doors).	No (new style, finish, and possibly brand).
Best for	Recently built or well-maintained homes.	Old, worn, damaged, or low-quality locks.
Upgrades security grade	Only if you upgrade to high-security pins.	Yes — you can jump to Grade 1 or smart locks.
Works with smart locks	Sometimes (depends on the cylinder).	Yes — you choose any compatible smart lock.
Aesthetic consistency	Perfect — everything stays the same color/finish.	Risk of mismatched hardware unless all replaced.

 

When Rekeying Is the Clear Winner

1. You love the current look of your doors
Most new or newer homes (built in the last 10–20 years) come with decent Kwikset, Schlage, or Baldwin hardware in matching finishes. Rekeying keeps that polished, uniform appearance.

2. Budget is a concern
Rekeying an entire average house (front door, back door, side door, deadbolts) usually runs $300–$600. Replacing everything with the same quality (we assume your new house came with quality locks) can easily top $1,500–$3,000 (based on our shop’s past customer history and using quality locks and deadbolts).

3. The locks are still in great shape
If the locks operate smoothly and aren’t rusty, pitted, or wobbly, there’s zero reason to rip them out.

4. You want one key for everything
A good locksmith can rekey every lock in the house to the same key in a single visit — something that’s harder (and more expensive) if you replace locks piecemeal.

When You Should Replace Instead of Rekey

• The existing locks are cheap builder-grade or visibly worn
  Many production homes come with flimsy, low quality, cheaply priced locks that can be bumped or picked in seconds. Many of these same low cost locks from a big box store will fail under a kick-in or hammer and crowbar attack. Upgrading to Schlage, Schlage Primus, Medeco, or Mul-T-Lock gives a real security boost. These locks are grade one and grade two level locks — made for long use and resistant to abuse.
• Keys are badly worn or the locks feel “sloppy”
  Years of use can wear down pins and springs. Rekeying a worn lock is like putting new software on a 15-year-old computer — it works, but not well.
• You want to switch to smart locks or high-security keys
  Most smart locks (August, Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, Level, etc.) require a full replacement because the cylinder is part of the smart mechanism.
• There’s physical damage
  Kicked-in doors, broken deadbolts, or warped strike plates often mean the whole assembly needs replacing.
• You just don’t trust the history of the house
  Foreclosure, rental property, multiple owners — sometimes a fresh start with brand-new locks feels better psychologically.

The Hybrid Approach (Best of Both Worlds)

Many of our customers choose a smart middle ground:

• Rekey all the good existing locks on interior and secondary doors.
• Replace only the main entry doors with new high-security or smart deadbolts.

Quick Decision Checklist

Ask yourself these five questions:
1. Do my current locks feel solid and turn smoothly? → Rekey
2. Are they cheap builder-grade or more than 15–20 years old? → Replace
3. Do I want keyless entry or app control? → Replace with smart locks
4. Is matching the current door hardware important to me? → Rekey
5. Is my budget under ~$600 for the whole house? → Rekey

Bottom Line

For 80% of new homeowners, rekeying is the fastest, cheapest, and perfectly adequate solution. It delivers 100% of the security benefit that matters most — no old keys work anymore — without the cost and hassle of new hardware.

But if your locks are old, low-quality, or you’re ready to step up to smart-home features, replacing the critical door locks (or all of them) is money well spent.

Not sure? Call a reputable local locksmith for a free “lock audit.” We’ll tell you in about five minutes whether your existing hardware is worth saving or belongs in the trash.

Your new home deserves to start with fresh keys — or fresh locks. The choice is yours, but now you know exactly what you’re choosing between.

Ready to decide? Give us a ring and we’ll handle whichever option makes the most sense for your house and your wallet.