Rekeying is the fastest, most affordable way to take control of who can open your doors without buying all-new hardware. Our locksmith changes the internal pins inside your existing locks so every old key stops working and a fresh key takes over — perfect after a move, a staff change, a lost key, or a tenant turnover.
OE Lock & Safe rekeys both homes and businesses across the San Fernando Valley. This guide explains how rekeying works, when it beats full replacement, how key-alike and master-key systems save you time, and what to expect during the visit. When you're ready, one call gets a licensed technician to your door.
What does rekeying a lock actually mean?
Rekeying keeps your existing lock hardware in place but resets the tiny pins inside the cylinder so it works with a brand-new key. The moment we finish, every previously cut key stops working — even if you never got them all back.
It's a mechanical reset of who has access, without the cost of new locks. Because the hardware stays on the door, rekeying is usually quicker and cheaper than replacement while giving you the same peace of mind.
When rekeying is the right choice
- You just moved into a home or office and don't know who has copies
- A key was lost or stolen and you want old keys disabled
- A roommate, employee, tenant, or contractor moved on
- You want several doors to open with one key (keyed alike)
- Your locks work well and you simply want fresh key control
Residential vs. commercial rekeying
Homes and businesses have different rekeying needs. For homes, we focus on entry doors, deadbolts, and keeping the whole house on one convenient key. For businesses, we handle higher-traffic hardware, master-key hierarchies, and keeping records tight so only the right people hold working keys.
Whichever you need, we have a dedicated service page: residential rekeying for homeowners and landlords, and commercial rekeying for offices, storefronts, and multi-door facilities.
Key-alike and master-key systems
Tired of juggling a keyring? We can key multiple locks alike so a single key opens every door we rekey. For businesses, we build master-key systems where staff hold keys to their own areas while a manager's master opens everything — giving you organized, tiered access control.
Rekey vs. replace — which do you need?
Rekeying is ideal when your locks are in good shape and you just want new key control. If hardware is worn, damaged, outdated, or you want a security upgrade or smart lock, full replacement is the better investment. We'll give you an honest recommendation on the phone and confirm before any work.
What happens during the service call
- You call and describe your situation; we give a free estimate over the phone
- A licensed technician arrives — estimated 15–30 minutes across the SFV
- We confirm the diagnosis and exact price before any work begins
- We rekey your cylinders and cut fresh keys on-site
- Old keys stop working and you get your new working keys
Warranty and pricing
Rekeying starts from $69, with the exact price confirmed after we know how many locks and the hardware involved — never a surprise at the end. You always get upfront pricing and a free phone estimate before we begin.
Ready to secure your property?
Call (818) 798-8842 NowStarting from $69* • Free estimate over the phone