You just moved into a new place in Fort Lauderdale, a roommate moved out, or you can't remember who has copies of your house key. Someone tells you to "just rekey," someone else says "replace the locks." They sound similar, but they're different jobs with different price tags — and picking the wrong one wastes money or leaves you under-protected. Here's how a locksmith actually thinks about it.
What rekeying actually means
Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and changes the inside of the lock. We disassemble the lock cylinder and swap the tiny pins so the old key no longer turns it, then cut you a new key that does. The door, the handle, the deadbolt — everything stays exactly where it is.
The result: every old key becomes useless, and you get fresh keys for the same lock. It typically takes about 10–20 minutes per lock, and it's the most common job we do for new homeowners and landlords.
What lock replacement means
Replacement is exactly what it sounds like: the old lock comes off the door and a brand-new one goes on. You get new hardware, a new cylinder, and new keys. It's the only option when the lock itself is the problem — or when you want better hardware than what's there.
Replacement costs more than rekeying because you're paying for new hardware plus the labor to install and fit it. In the South Florida market, a basic rekey usually runs well under half of what a full hardware replacement costs for the same door.
When rekeying is the right call
- You moved into a new home or apartment. You have no idea how many copies of the old key are floating around — previous owners, their family, their dog walker. Rekeying resets all of that in one visit.
- A key went missing or a relationship ended. A lost key that might be in the wrong hands, a roommate who moved out, a breakup — rekeying cuts off access without touching your doors.
- You want one key for the whole house. If your front, back, and side doors each use a different key, we can rekey them all to match a single key. It's one of the most satisfying upgrades there is.
- Tenant turnover. Broward County landlords rekey between tenants — it's fast, cheap, and eliminates the "old tenant still has a key" problem.
- The locks themselves are fine. If the hardware is solid and working smoothly, there's no reason to pay for new locks just to change the key.
When replacement is the right call
- The lock is worn, loose, or sticky. If the key has to be jiggled, the deadbolt drags, or the whole lock wobbles in the door, new pins won't fix the mechanics. Replace it.
- You want to upgrade security. Swapping a basic knob lock for a proper deadbolt, or moving up to a smart lock with a keypad, means new hardware.
- After a break-in or forced entry. A damaged lock can't be trusted — and sometimes the door itself needs attention too. We assess both before we quote.
- Cheap builder-grade hardware. South Florida's salt air and humidity corrode bargain locks fast, especially on doors near the coast or around pool areas. If your hardware is pitted, flaking, or green with corrosion, replacing it with quality hardware beats rekeying something that's falling apart.
- Mismatched brands you can't key alike. Not all brands share keyways. If your locks can't be keyed to one key, replacing the odd one out is often the simplest fix.
The South Florida wrinkle: salt air eats cheap locks
This one catches people off guard. Broward County's humidity, salt air, and afternoon downpours are brutal on low-end lock hardware. We regularly see locks in Coral Springs and Pompano Beach homes that are only a few years old but already corroding — sticking, jamming, and eventually failing. If your lock is showing rust or green oxidation, rekeying buys you a new key for a dying lock. Replacement with quality, corrosion-resistant hardware is the real fix.
What to expect when we come out
- We look at every lock first. Before recommending anything, we check the condition of your hardware. If a lock is healthy, we'll tell you rekeying is all you need — we don't upsell replacements you don't need.
- You get the price up front. We quote the full job before starting. If anyone ever quotes you a low price on the phone and the technician "discovers" a much higher one at your door, that's the scam — send them away.
- Most jobs take under an hour. Rekeying three or four doors usually takes 30–45 minutes. Replacements take longer depending on the hardware, but a typical house is still done in one visit.
Quick decision rule
Still unsure? Use this rule of thumb: rekey when the question is "who has a key?" — replace when the question is "is this lock good enough?" New home, lost key, tenant turnover → rekey. Worn hardware, break-in damage, wanting a smart lock → replace.
And if you can't tell which situation you're in, that's what we're here for. See our rekey & key duplication page for the details, or just call.
Not sure whether to rekey or replace? Call (954) 534-1003 — we'll look at your locks and give you an honest answer before we quote.