Rekey Your Locks in Jacksonville: When, Why & What It Costs

By James Holloway, Diamond Locksmith · Licensed, bonded & insured (Florida) mobile locksmiths serving Jacksonville & St. Johns County · Updated July 14, 2026

Whether you just closed on a house in Jacksonville, lost your only set of keys somewhere between the driveway and the grocery store, or finally got the last copy back from a tenant, you are probably wondering the same thing: do you really need brand-new locks, or is there a simpler way? For most people, the answer is a rekey, and it is one of the most common calls we run across the city.

Rekeying is faster and usually less expensive than replacing your hardware, and when it is done right it gives you exactly what you want most: peace of mind that nobody else holds a key to your door. Here is when to rekey your locks in Jacksonville, how the process works, and what it typically costs.

What "Rekey" Actually Means (and How It Differs From Replacing)

When we rekey a lock, we open up the lock cylinder and swap out the small internal pins so it responds to a brand-new key. The lock body, the deadbolt, the handle, the hardware on your door all stay exactly where they are. When we are done, your old keys no longer work, and you walk away with a fresh set that does.

Replacing a lock is a different job. That means removing the entire lockset and installing a new one, which makes sense when the hardware is worn out, damaged, or you simply want a different style or a higher security grade. If your locks are in good shape and you just need the keys that open them to change, rekeying gets you there for less money and less time.

Think of it this way: a rekey changes who can get in, while a replacement changes the lock itself. Most Jacksonville homeowners who call us for a rekey do not have a hardware problem at all. They have a "too many keys floating around out there" problem, and that is precisely what rekeying solves.

When You Should Rekey Your Locks in Jacksonville

Rekeying is not just for emergencies. There are a handful of everyday situations where it is the smart, low-cost move:

• You just moved into a new home. This is the big one. You have no idea how many copies of your key are out there, previous owners, their family, contractors, the dog walker, a neighbor. Rekeying every exterior door on day one is the single easiest way to know your home is truly yours.
• You bought a new-construction house. Even brand-new builds pass through a lot of hands. Framers, painters, inspectors, and agents often share a builder's key during construction. A quick rekey after closing shuts that door for good.
• You lost your keys. If a set went missing and there is any chance it can be traced back to your address, do not wait. Rekeying makes the lost keys worthless.
• A tenant, roommate, or ex moved out. Anytime someone with a key leaves on less-than-perfect terms, or you are turning over a rental between renters, rekeying protects the next occupant.
• You just had a break-in or an attempted one. After any security scare, changing what opens your doors helps you feel safe in your own home again.
• You want every door on one key. If your front, back, and garage entry doors all take different keys, we can often rekey them so a single key runs the whole house.

If any of these sound like your situation, rekeying is almost certainly the right call. You can see the full breakdown of our lock rekey service in Jacksonville and get a straight answer on your specific setup.

How the Rekey Process Works (On-Site and Same-Day)

One of the best parts about rekeying is how quick and clean it is. Because we run a fully mobile operation, our locksmith comes to you with everything needed to finish the job in your driveway. Here is what a typical visit looks like:

• You call and describe your doors. Tell us how many locks you have and what brand, if you know it. We give you an upfront price and an arrival window.
• We verify you belong there. Before touching a lock, we confirm you are the homeowner or an authorized resident. That simple step protects you and your property.
• We rekey on-site. Our technician opens each cylinder, resets the pins to a new key, and reassembles the lock, no need to haul anything back to a shop.
• We hand you fresh keys and test everything. You get a new working set, we make sure every door locks and unlocks smoothly, and your old keys are officially retired.

Most residential rekeys are finished in a single same-day visit, often in under an hour depending on how many doors you have. It is a small window of your day for a big jump in peace of mind. Locked out on top of it all? We can pair your rekey with our house lockout service and handle both in one trip.

What Does It Cost to Rekey Locks in Jacksonville?

Honest answer: it depends on how many locks you have and what type they are, so the fairest price we can give is one over the phone once we know your setup. That said, here is the general shape of it so you are not walking in blind.

A rekey usually breaks down into two parts, a service call to send a licensed locksmith to your door, and a per-cylinder charge for each lock we rekey. Standard residential deadbolts and knob locks are on the lower end. High-security locks, smart locks, or unusual commercial hardware take more work and sit higher. The more doors you do in one visit, the better the per-lock value tends to be, since you are only paying one trip charge.

What we will always do is quote you the full price before we start, so the number you hear on the phone is the number you pay. No inflated add-ons after the work is done, and no scare tactics. If we ever find that replacing a lock genuinely makes more sense than rekeying it, we will tell you that too, and explain why. For everyday budgeting questions, our team is happy to talk ranges when you call.

Rekey vs. Replace: A Quick Decision

Not sure which way to go? A simple rule of thumb:

• Rekey when your locks work fine and you just need to control who has a key, new home, lost keys, tenant turnover, post-break-in peace of mind.
• Replace when the hardware is damaged, badly worn, outdated, or you want to upgrade to a higher security grade or a smart lock.

If you want to go deeper on the trade-offs and real-world numbers, we broke it down further in our guide on whether it is cheaper to rekey or replace your locks. And if you would rather just ask a person, that is what we are here for. As a local, 5.0-star rated team across roughly 165 Jacksonville reviews, we would rather point you to the right fix than upsell you on one you do not need. You can see everywhere we cover on our service areas page, or read more about our full home offerings on our residential locksmith page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rekeying cheaper than replacing my locks?

In most cases, yes. Rekeying reuses your existing hardware and only resets the internal pins, so you avoid the cost of new locksets. Replacing makes more sense when the hardware itself is worn, damaged, or you want an upgrade. We will tell you honestly which one fits your doors.

Should I rekey the locks on a house I just bought in Jacksonville?

We strongly recommend it. There is no reliable way to know how many copies of the old keys exist, previous owners, contractors, agents, and neighbors may all have had one. Rekeying every exterior door after closing is the fastest way to make the home truly yours.

Can you rekey all my doors to use just one key?

Usually, yes. As long as your locks are compatible, we can rekey your front, back, and garage entry locks so a single key operates all of them. It is one of the most popular requests we get, and it makes daily life a lot simpler.

How long does a rekey take?

Most residential rekeys are done in a single same-day visit, often in under an hour depending on how many locks you have. Because we come to you fully equipped, there is no waiting on a shop or a second trip.

Will my old keys still work after a rekey?

No, and that is the whole point. Once we rekey a lock, the previous keys no longer open it. You will receive a brand-new set that works, while any lost or unaccounted-for keys become useless.

Do you rekey locks on-site, or do I have to remove them?

We rekey right at your door. Our mobile locksmiths bring everything needed to reset your cylinders in place, so you never have to take a lock off or bring anything to us.