Published 2026-05-09 · MKE Locksmith
Rekey vs. Replace Locks: Which Is Cheaper After You Move In?
Quick answer: Rekey almost always wins on cost. Full home rekey (4-6 cylinders): $150-$300. Full lock replacement: $400-$1,000+ for the same security outcome (old keys stop working). Replace only when the hardware is genuinely worn, you're upgrading to ANSI Grade 1, or you're moving to a smart lock.
The decision in one table
| Situation | Recommendation | Cost (Milwaukee) |
|---|---|---|
| Just moved in, locks work fine | Rekey | $150-$300 |
| Lost a key, locks work fine | Rekey | $150-$300 |
| Roommate moved out, locks work fine | Rekey | $150-$300 |
| Post-eviction, hardware intact | Rekey | $150-$300 |
| Cylinder feels sloppy, deadbolt throws short | Replace | $400-$1,000 |
| Builder-grade locks, want ANSI Grade 1 | Replace | $400-$1,000 |
| Mismatched finishes, want consistency | Replace | $400-$1,000 |
| Moving to smart locks | Replace | $600-$2,000 |
| After a break-in, cylinder undamaged | Rekey + reinforced strike | $200-$400 |
| After a break-in, cylinder pulled or drilled | Replace | $400-$1,000 |
How rekey actually works
Inside every pin-tumbler cylinder is a stack of 5 or 6 pins, each cut to a specific length. The "key" is just a piece of metal with notches that lift each pin to exactly the right height, only then does the cylinder rotate. Rekey means we open the cylinder, pull out the old pins, and drop in a new set of pins cut to a different combination. The cylinder itself stays. Your old key no longer lifts the pins to the right heights, so it stops turning. We cut a new key to the new combination on the spot.
For a typical 4-cylinder home (front door deadbolt, front door knob, back door deadbolt, garage entry) the work takes 30-45 minutes start to finish. Each cylinder costs $20-$40 to rekey on top of a $50-$80 service call, total $150-$300 for the home. We can also key all the cylinders alike (one key works every door) at no extra charge.
How replace actually works
The entire deadbolt comes off, outer rosette, inner thumb-turn, latch, strike. New deadbolt goes in, anchored to the frame with longer screws if the strike has been undersized. New strike plate seats flush. New latch throws the right depth. This takes about 15-20 minutes per door if the bore size and backset match the new hardware. Older Milwaukee-metro doors (1920s-1940s) sometimes don't match, non-standard backset, undersized bore, original mortise pocket. That's an extra 15-30 minutes of door prep per door.
The math: $100-$250 per door installed. A 4-door home: $400-$1,000+. Compared to $150-$300 for the same security outcome via rekey, the replacement only makes sense when the existing hardware actually needs replacing.
Specific Milwaukee scenarios
- New homeowner, Bay View duplex. Previous owner, agents, contractors, neighbors had keys. Rekey 4 cylinders, key-alike. $185 total. Done in 35 minutes.
- Wauwatosa Village 1924 single-family with original mortise. Lost a key. Rekey by re-pinning the original cylinder inside the mortise body, keep the brass face plate, keep the trim. $215. The alternative (replacing with modern hardware) would have meant patching the mortise pocket and milling a 2-1/8" borehole, $600-$900.
- Mequon ranch upgrading from builder-grade Defiant. Customer wanted ANSI Grade 1. Replaced 3 deadbolts with Schlage B660 in satin nickel. $560 total including hardware.
- Shorewood landlord, post-eviction tenant turnover. 12 units, key-alike system. Rekeyed every cylinder with a fresh master schedule. $1,400 total, replacement would have been $4,800+.
- Whitefish Bay break-in repair. Cylinder pulled out of the front deadbolt. Replaced cylinder + reinforced strike + 3" jamb screws. $310. Adjacent doors rekeyed for $40 each (not replaced. They were undamaged).
What about high-security cylinders?
If you have Medeco, Mul-T-Lock MT5+, Schlage Primus, or Abloy Protec2, rekey is still cheaper than replacement, but both are more expensive than standard. High-security rekey: $40-$80 per cylinder vs. the standard $20-$40. High-security replacement: $200-$400 per cylinder vs. $100-$250. The math still favors rekey for the same reason.
Frequently asked
Is rekeying really cheaper than replacing the locks?
Almost always. A 4-6 cylinder home rekey runs $150-$300. Replacing the locks at $100-$250 per door installed runs $400-$1,000+ for the same security outcome. Both make the old keys stop working.
When should I replace instead of rekey?
Replace when: the cylinder is sloppy or worn out, the deadbolt throws short, the brand is bottom-tier (Defiant, generic builder-grade) and you want to upgrade to ANSI Grade 1, the current finish doesn't match the rest of the house, or you're moving to a smart lock (the existing deadbolt comes off either way).
Does rekey work on all locks?
Yes for nearly all common keyways: Schlage SC1, Kwikset KW1, Weiser WR5, Sargent LA, Yale 8, Russwin D1. High-security keyways (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock MT5+, Schlage Primus, Abloy Protec2) can be rekeyed but cost 30-60% more because the pins are restricted and patented.
How long does a Milwaukee home rekey take?
About 30-45 minutes for a typical 4-6 cylinder home. Faster if every cylinder uses the same keyway, slower if you have a mix (front door Schlage, back door Kwikset, garage Weiser).
Will rekey work for my older Milwaukee home with mortise locks?
Yes, original 1920s-1940s mortise locks (common in Whitefish Bay, St. Francis, Wauwatosa Village, the East Side) can usually be rekeyed by replacing or re-pinning the cylinder inside the mortise body. We do this regularly. The lock body itself stays original; only the keying changes.
What about smart locks, rekey or replace?
Smart locks usually replace, not rekey. The point of a smart lock is the keypad, app, or proximity sensor, the physical key is a backup. New occupants change the codes (instant, free) and optionally rekey the physical backup cylinder ($20-$40 per cylinder).
Need a rekey or lock change?
Call (414) 251-1023. See our rekey + lock change service page for full details, our new-home rekey checklist, and the cost guide for the complete pricing breakdown.
Last updated: 2026-05-09.