When to Rekey vs Replace Commercial Locks
Rekey when: an employee leaves (voluntary or terminated), you take over a new lease, you lose track of how many key copies exist, or after a break-in attempt where the lock itself isn't damaged. Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work — new keys are cut for the new pin configuration. The lock body stays the same.
Replace when: the lock is physically damaged, the lock is builder-grade (Grade 3) and you need Grade 1 commercial security, you're upgrading to a restricted-keyway system, or the lock technology is outdated. Lock replacement installs an entirely new lock body, cylinder, and keys.
Cost comparison: Rekeying costs $25-50 per lock cylinder. Full lock replacement costs $95-250 per lock depending on grade and type. For a typical DFW office with 15 locks, rekeying saves $1,000-3,000 compared to full replacement.
Commercial Rekeying Scenarios
Employee Termination
The most common reason for commercial rekeying. When an employee with key access is terminated, every lock they could access should be rekeyed within 24 hours. This includes office doors, supply rooms, server rooms, and common areas. We can often complete same-day rekeying for small to mid-size offices.
New Lease or Property Acquisition
When you sign a new commercial lease, you have no way of knowing how many previous tenants — and their employees — still have working keys. Rekeying the entire suite is the first security step for any new DFW commercial tenant. Many property management companies require it as part of lease turnover.
Security Breach or Break-In
After a break-in or attempted break-in, rekeying all exterior locks is essential even if the locks weren't damaged. The intruder may have made key impressions or gained knowledge of your keying system. We recommend rekeying and upgrading to restricted-keyway cylinders to prevent future unauthorized key duplication.
Master Key System Compromise
If a master key is lost or unaccounted for, the entire master key system may need to be rekeyed. This is the most complex and expensive rekeying scenario — every lock in the hierarchy must be rekeyed to a new master key configuration. MyKey maintains records of master key systems we've installed, making re-keying faster and more accurate.
Commercial Lock Types We Rekey
Our commercial locksmiths rekey all standard commercial lock types: mortise cylinders (Schlage, BEST, Corbin Russwin), cylindrical/bored locks (Grade 1 and Grade 2), interchangeable core (IC) systems — swap cores in seconds for instant rekeying, rim cylinders for exit devices, padlocks keyed to your master system, cabinet and file locks, and restricted-keyway cylinders (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, ASSA).
Commercial Rekeying Cost Guide
Standard cylinder rekey: $25-50 per lock
High-security cylinder rekey (Medeco, etc.): $50-85 per lock
IC core swap: $35-65 per lock (fastest method)
Full lock replacement (Grade 1): $95-250 per lock
Master key system rekey: $500-2,000+ depending on size
Typical office rekey (10-20 locks): $300-800 total
Commercial Rekeying FAQ
Q: How fast can you rekey our office?
A: Most offices with 10-30 locks can be rekeyed in 2-4 hours. We offer same-day and after-hours service.
Q: Can you rekey our locks to match one key?
A: Yes — "keyed alike" service means all your locks open with one key. We can also set up master key hierarchies.
Q: Do you provide new keys during rekeying?
A: Yes. Each rekeyed lock comes with 2 new keys. Additional keys can be cut on-site at $3-5 each (standard) or $15-25 (restricted keyway).
Q: Can you rekey on weekends or after hours?
A: Yes. We offer after-hours rekeying to minimize disruption to your business operations. No extra charge for scheduling flexibility.
