Commercial Rekeying vs. Lock Replacement: What's Right for Your Business?

Both rekeying and replacing locks accomplish the same security goal: your old keys no longer work. But they get there in very different ways, at very different costs, and each is the right answer in different situations. If you're a Charlotte business owner trying to decide which makes sense for your property, this guide will walk you through exactly how to choose — without overselling you on the more expensive option.

What Is Rekeying?

Rekeying is an internal modification to your existing lock cylinder. A locksmith removes the lock, disassembles the cylinder, and replaces the small brass pins inside with a new set cut to a different key pattern. The lock hardware — the deadbolt, knob, lever, or mortise body — stays exactly as it is. The lock looks the same, operates the same, and is just as secure. The only thing that changes is which key opens it.

Every key that previously worked is now useless. Anyone who has a copy — former employees, ex-tenants, contractors — can no longer use it. Rekeying takes roughly 10–20 minutes per lock for an experienced commercial locksmith.

What Is Lock Replacement?

Lock replacement means removing the entire lock body and installing new hardware in its place. You get a new cylinder, new mechanism, new keys, and (depending on the product chosen) potentially a different brand, grade, or lock type altogether. Replacement is appropriate when the hardware itself is the problem — worn mechanisms, damaged housings, compromised cylinders — or when you want to upgrade to a higher security grade or a completely different type of locking device.

Rekeying vs. Replacement: Side-by-Side Comparison

5 Situations Where You Should Rekey

1. An employee was terminated or resigned with key access. This is the most common reason Charlotte businesses call us. Whether the departure was amicable or not, you have no way to confirm that keys weren't copied. Rekeying the same day — or the same hour — of termination eliminates that uncertainty immediately. The lock hardware is fine; the problem is key accountability.
2. Keys were lost or stolen. If a key is unaccounted for, assume it could be in the wrong hands. Rekeying costs a fraction of what a break-in cleanup, insurance claim, or liability exposure costs.
3. You moved into a new commercial space. Inherited locks mean inherited key history. Previous tenants, contractors, cleaning crews, HVAC technicians — any of them may have had keys made. Rekeying on day one of occupancy is simply good business hygiene.
4. A tenant moved out. Whether they returned keys or not, any keys they had may have been copied. Property managers routinely rekey between tenants; it's inexpensive and expected.
5. A security audit revealed uncontrolled key copies. If you don't know exactly who has keys to your building, you have a key control problem. Rekeying resets the count to zero and lets you start fresh with documented key distribution.

4 Situations Where You Should Replace

1. The lock is physically damaged or worn. A lock that sticks, requires jiggling, or shows visible wear around the keyway isn't a candidate for rekeying — it needs new hardware. Putting new pins in a worn cylinder just gives you a freshly rekeyed lock that still malfunctions.
2. The lock is a low-grade or construction-grade product. Many commercial buildings still have ANSI Grade 3 builder-grade locks on perimeter doors. If you want to upgrade to ANSI Grade 1 commercial deadbolts — the standard appropriate for most business entry points — that requires replacement, not rekeying.
3. You want to switch lock types. If you're moving from keyed cylinders to electronic access control, keypad entry, or a card reader system, that's a replacement project. You're not just changing a key combination — you're changing the entire locking technology.
4. The lock was drilled, picked, or otherwise compromised in a break-in. A lock that was attacked during a burglary should be replaced, not rekeyed. The internal components may be damaged in ways that aren't immediately visible, and the housing may be structurally weakened. Start fresh with new hardware.

What Does Rekeying Cost vs. Replacement?

Rekeying in Charlotte typically runs $25–$75 per lock, depending on the brand and cylinder type. Lock replacement runs $100–$400 or more per lock, depending on the hardware grade, brand, and any prep work required for the opening.

To put that in real terms for a typical commercial property:

• 10-lock commercial building — Rekeying: approximately $250–$750 total
• 10-lock commercial building — Replacement: approximately $1,000–$4,000+ total

For most key-security situations — employee terminations, tenant turnover, lost keys — rekeying delivers identical security results at a fraction of the cost. Replacement is the right investment when the hardware itself justifies it.

Can You Rekey Any Lock?

Most cylinder-based commercial locks can be rekeyed: Schlage, Kwikset, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, Corbin Russwin, and most other name-brand cylinders are fully rekeyable by a qualified locksmith.

The exceptions are locks with non-standard or proprietary cylinders (some smart locks and certain high-security products), locks that are physically worn or damaged beyond reliable function, and some very inexpensive construction-grade hardware where the cost difference between rekeying and replacing is minimal and replacement makes more sense.

When Public Locksmith assesses your locks, we'll tell you honestly which category each one falls into — we won't recommend replacement when rekeying will accomplish your security goals.