Rekeying a wide variety of door locks is a standard service all trained locksmiths perform. Both residential and commercial property owners often hire locksmiths to rekey their locks, which is less expensive than changing the entirety of the lock hardware on their exterior doors. If you’ve recently purchased a property and want to change the locks so the previous owner, service providers, or employees can’t access it, Shearline Locksmiths is here to help.
What Exactly Is Lock Rekeying?
Although lock rekeying is a popular locksmith service in Chicago, IL, most people don’t know exactly how it’s done. When a locksmith rekeys a lock, they remove the lock cylinder and replace the pins or wafers so the lock works with a new key The result is that the existing hardware remains in place with some new internal parts and new keys.
Rekeying a lock cylinder instead of replacing the entire lock is an affordable option for a home or business owner, especially if the lock is relatively new and in good condition. Rekeying a lock does not affect its security and it will function as before but with a different key.
How Long Does It Take to Rekey Locks?
The quick answer to this question is: it depends. The type of lock in question will often impact how long it will take for a professional locksmith to rekey it. For a standard door lock such as those found in many homes, it usually takes anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to have the lock rekeyed. If the lock is a high-security lock or there’s currently no key available to the lock, the time needed for rekeying may increase. It’s also worth noting that the cost to rekey a lock without a key or a high-security lock may also increase.
In addition, the skill level of the contractor performing the service can also impact the time it takes to rekey locks. Shearline Locksmiths is a licensed locksmith company that features highly trained and experienced residential and commercial locksmiths. It’s always important to hire a professional locksmith in order to safeguard the security of your home or business and reduce any risk of damage to your hardware. Our locksmiths can examine the type of locks you have and then provide you with an answer to your question: how long does it take to rekey locks?
How Long Does It Take to Rekey Locks Without the Original Key?
If you’re researching the cost to rekey door locks, you might have noticed that some locksmith companies will charge an additional fee for rekeying locks that don’t have a key. That’s because the lock needs to be in the unlocked position in order to remove the lock cylinder, and if the key is missing the locksmith will need to take some time to pick the lock to open it. The time increase depends on their skill level as well as the lock in question.
To rekey a lock with a key may take 20 minutes, and to rekey a lock without a key may take an additional 15 minutes or more. In some cases, the cost to rekey a complex lock without a key may be higher than replacing the lock, but that’s not typically the case. Your locksmith will be able to advise you about the cost after examining the lock or locks in question.
How Long Does It Take to Rekey Locks If Pins or Springs Are Missing?
Replacing a lock with missing pins and springs is not a complicated task for a professional locksmith and will not typically change the time needed to rekey the lock, which is about 20 minutes for a standard door lock. The locksmith will be changing the key pins, in any case, with new ones that will match the lock’s new keys. Similarly, they typically bring springs and other parts in case they run into any missing component problems.
How Long Does It Take to Rekey High-Security Locks?
Many homes and businesses in Chicago, IL are outfitted with high-security locks. These are more complex locks, so it will require more time and labor on the part of your locksmith to rekey them and it may take them 30 minutes or longer to rekey each high-security lock on the premises.
Lock types used at a home or business will certainly impact the time frame for a rekeying job. Mortise locks, deadbolt, jimmy proof locks, exit device locks, and smart locks are more complicated to rekey. Depending on whether there are missing keys or parts, rekeying these locks may take 30-60 minutes each or longer. Upon examining the lock, your locksmith should be able to give you a time estimate.
If you want to rekey the locks of your home or business, call Shearline Locksmiths today to get a free quote and to schedule a service appointment. We feature residential, commercial, and automotive locksmiths who can visit your Chicago, IL, property to perform the lock and key services you need.