Should You Rekey or Replace Your Locks After Moving In?

Rekeying a lock means a trained locksmith changes the internal pin configuration inside the lock cylinder so that the old key no longer works — only a new key cut to the updated code will operate the lock. The hardware itself stays in place. You keep your deadbolt, your door knob lock, your mortise lock — whatever is currently installed — and simply render every previously existing key useless. It is faster than a full replacement and, because no new hardware is purchased, the final price depends mainly on the number of cylinders and the time involved rather than material costs.

Replacing a lock means swapping out the entire lock unit — cylinder, housing, trim, and all. This is the right call when the existing hardware is worn, damaged, outdated, or simply not the quality level you want protecting your home. It also makes sense when you are upgrading from a basic door knob lock to a heavy-duty deadbolt or a commercial-grade mortise lock, which is a style of lock recessed directly into the door's edge and considered one of the most secure options available for both residential and light commercial properties. Understanding which category your situation falls into is the first step to making a confident decision.

Here is how the process works when a professional handles it: the locksmith removes the cylinder from the lock body, disassembles it to access the driver pins and key pins inside, replaces the pins with a new set that corresponds to a freshly cut key, and reassembles everything. When done correctly on the right hardware, the result is as secure as a brand-new lock. So — can you rekey any lock? The short answer is almost always yes, provided the lock is in good working condition and the locksmith has access to the correct pinning kit for that brand and model. Common brands like Schlage and Kwikset are straightforward. Older, obscure, or heavily worn cylinders can be trickier, and a professional can assess that on the spot.

One question that comes up often: can you rekey a lock to match an existing key? Yes — this is called keying alike, and it is especially useful when you want a single key to operate multiple locks on the same property. Moving into a Cicero home with three exterior doors? A skilled locksmith can rekey all three cylinders to the same key cut, eliminating the need for a separate key for each door. It is a practical upgrade that more homeowners should ask about.

There are several situations where rekeying alone is not the right answer. If the existing lock is visibly damaged — a worn bolt, a spinning door knob lock that has lost its tension, a deadbolt that binds in the strike plate — rekeying will not fix the underlying mechanical problem. You would be securing a compromised lock, which defeats the purpose. Similarly, if the hardware is old enough that it offers minimal resistance to forced entry, the security upgrade you actually need comes from the new hardware itself, not just the key change.

This is where a mortise lock installation becomes a genuinely worthwhile investment. Mortise locks are set into a pocket cut into the door's edge rather than surface-mounted, which distributes force across a much larger area of the door frame. They are standard on many commercial properties and older Chicago-area graystones, but they are increasingly requested for residential doors in communities like Cicero where security expectations are higher. Our team regularly handles mortise lock installation and service for both homeowners upgrading their entry doors and small business owners along Cermak Road who need a more robust solution than a standard deadbolt. If you are weighing your options and want an honest assessment, call (708) 332-8790 — we answer 24/7 and will give you a straight answer before any work begins.

Smart locks add a layer of complexity to this question. Can you rekey a smart lock? It depends heavily on the specific model. Some smart locks include a traditional keyed cylinder as a backup and that cylinder can be rekeyed just like any standard lock. Others rely entirely on digital access — keypads, Bluetooth, or app-based entry — and have no cylinder to rekey at all. In those cases, the equivalent action is resetting the access codes and removing any previously authorized users from the app or control panel, which is something you should do immediately when moving into a home that had a smart lock installed by someone else.

What about rekeying a smart lock without the original key, or specifically rekeying a Yale smart lock? If the model has a keyed backup cylinder and you do not have the original key, a trained locksmith can still service that cylinder — it just requires a slightly different process, similar to a lock-out service for a traditional lock. Yale, along with several other smart lock brands, uses cylinders that are compatible with standard rekeying kits. Our experienced locksmiths in Cicero work with a wide range of smart lock hardware and can walk you through your specific model's options before touching anything.

Being a fully mobile operation means our locksmiths come to you — your driveway, your front porch on 55th Street, your parking lot on Ogden Avenue — fully equipped to handle the job on-site without a trip to a shop. Here is a specific look at what our team handles across Cicero and the surrounding area: residential lock rekeying, mortise lock installation and repair, deadbolt installation, door knob lock replacement, master key system setup, keying alike across multiple doors, smart lock installation and programming, smart lock cylinder rekeying, emergency locksmith response for residential lockouts, commercial locksmith services for businesses, high-security lock upgrades, lock repair for damaged or malfunctioning hardware, garage door lock service, mailbox lock replacement, window lock installation, sliding door lock repair, padlock service, car lockout assistance, auto key programming, car key replacement, transponder key cutting, ignition repair and replacement, broken key extraction, safe opening and combination changes, and lock hardware consultation for new construction or remodels. Every job starts with a clear, confirmed quote — final price is communicated upfront and reflects the specific lock type, any parts required, the time of day, and travel to your location. No surprises when the work is done.

Cicero has its own character — a dense, working-class suburb with a housing stock that ranges from early-century brick two-flats to newer construction, sitting right on Chicago's western edge. It is also a community with a layered history; most locals know that Al Capone used Cicero as a base of operations during Prohibition, making it one of the most historically referenced suburbs in the country. That history aside, today's Cicero homeowners and renters face the same practical security questions anyone does when moving in: who had access before me, and how do I take control of my own locks?

Our mobile locksmith team is based to serve the Cicero area and surrounding Cook County communities, and we are available every hour of every day — including nights, weekends, and holidays. Whether you need a straightforward rekey on move-in day, a mortise lock swap on an older door, or an emergency locksmith call because you are locked out at 2 a.m., we show up equipped and ready to work. Pricing factors are explained clearly before we start: the type of lock or vehicle involved, parts needed, time of day, and distance all contribute to the final quote, which we confirm with you upfront. No guesswork, no after-the-fact surprises. Call (708) 332-8790 whenever you need us — day or night, we answer.