Moving into a new home in Jacksonville is exciting — but the first question every homeowner should ask is one most people skip entirely: do you know how many copies of those keys are out there?
Previous owners, contractors, real estate agents, housekeepers, neighbors with a spare — any of them could still have a working key to your front door. The decision to rekey or replace your locks is not just a matter of preference. It is a security step that every new homeowner should take within the first week.
Here is what James R. Holloway, Diamond Locksmith’s senior locksmith with over 14 years of experience across Northeast Florida, recommends every Jacksonville homeowner understand before deciding.
What Is Rekeying a Lock?
Rekeying means changing the internal pins inside your lock cylinder so that your old key no longer works — but the lock hardware itself stays the same. A locksmith removes the cylinder, replaces the pin configuration, and cuts new keys that match the new pin setup.
Rekeying is the right choice when:
- Your lock hardware is in good condition and less than 10 years old
- You want to eliminate all old keys without spending on new hardware
- You just moved in and want security without a large upfront cost
- You recently lost a key or had one stolen
The cost to rekey a lock in Jacksonville typically runs $19–$40 per cylinder, plus a service call fee. For a standard home with a front door, back door, and garage entry, most homeowners spend $80–$150 total — far less than replacement.
What Is Replacing a Lock?
Replacing a lock means removing the entire lockset — cylinder, handle, deadbolt, and all — and installing new hardware. You get a fresh lock, new keys, and in many cases upgraded security features.
Replacing is the right choice when:
- Your locks are outdated, worn, or showing visible damage
- You want to upgrade to a higher security grade or smart lock
- The locks are more than 10–15 years old
- You are dealing with a door frame or strike plate that needs work anyway
- You want keypad or smart-lock functionality
Lock replacement costs vary by hardware: a standard Schlage or Kwikset deadbolt runs $60–$120 installed. High-security options like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock cost $150–$350 per lock. Smart locks (August, Schlage Encode) add another $100–$250 for hardware plus installation.
Rekeying vs Replacing: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Rekeying | Replacing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per lock | $19–$40 | $60–$350+ |
| Time required | 10–15 min/lock | 20–45 min/lock |
| Existing hardware | Stays in place | Removed and replaced |
| Security upgrade | No (same hardware) | Yes (if upgrading grade) |
| Smart lock option | No | Yes |
| Best for new homeowners | Recommended starting point | If hardware is old or damaged |
Start With Rekeying: The 14-Year Recommendation
For most Jacksonville homeowners moving into a previously owned property, rekeying is the right first step — not because replacement is unnecessary, but because rekeying immediately cuts off access to every old key copy at a fraction of the cost. You can always upgrade the hardware later.
If your home has standard Grade 2 residential locks — common in Jacksonville neighborhoods like Mandarin, Nocatee, and Bartram Park — rekeying to a new key configuration closes the most common security gap: unknown key copies. It takes less than an hour for a full home and can often be done the same day you call.
For older Jacksonville homes, particularly homes with original 1980s or 1990s brass locksets, replacement is worth the investment. Those older cylinders are more susceptible to picking, bumping, and simply wearing out.
Can You Rekey All Your Locks to One Key?
Yes. This is one of the most useful features of professional rekeying. A locksmith can rekey all of your deadbolts, knob locks, and padlocks to match a single key — even if they are different brands. This eliminates the common problem of having five different keys for five different locks on the same property.
If you manage a rental property in Jacksonville or St. Johns County, same-key rekeying between tenancies is a cost-effective way to maintain access control without replacing hardware every time a tenant moves out.
Where We Serve in Jacksonville
Diamond Locksmith provides residential locksmith services across Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Our team handles rekeying and lock replacement in Mandarin, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, and the greater Jacksonville metro.
Call us at (904) 788-1402 to schedule a same-day or next-day rekeying appointment. We are licensed, insured, and rated 5.0 stars on Google.
