Home Lock Rekeying
Moving into a new place on Guess Road, handing over keys to a departing roommate, or realizing a key has gone missing after a night out near Brightleaf Square — any of these moments raises the same urgent question: who else might have access to your home right now? At Durham Pro Locksmith, we provide fast, professional lock rekeying services throughout Durham, NC, so you can regain full control of your home security without the expense of replacing every lock. Our mobile locksmith technicians come directly to your door, fully equipped to rekey most residential locks on the spot.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed, bonded & insured
Rekeying is one of the smartest, most cost-effective security upgrades a Durham homeowner or renter can make. Rather than swapping out hardware, our skilled technicians simply reconfigure the internal pin tumblers inside your existing locks so that old keys no longer work — only the fresh keys we cut for you will operate the lock. It takes far less time and money than full lock replacement, and when done by a trained, insured professional, the result is just as secure. Whether you're in Old North Durham, Lakewood, Hope Valley, or anywhere in between, we're available 24/7 to help.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and holidays — a real local locksmith answers and rolls a fully-stocked van.
Fast local response
Based in Durham, we reach the Durham area in well under an hour.
Insured & background-checked
Vetted technicians, up-front pricing, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
More about our work
Everything you need to know about how we help — at a glance.
Why Home Lock Rekeying Makes Sense After a Move or Key Loss
When you move into a previously owned or rented Durham property, you genuinely don't know how many copies of the original keys are floating around — former tenants, maintenance workers, past visitors, or real estate agents may all have had copies cut. The same concern applies after a breakup, a roommate change, or even after losing a key in a busy place like the Durham Farmers' Market or a downtown parking garage. Rekeying immediately eliminates that uncertainty. Because the old key cuts are rendered useless, there's no need to track down every copy that was ever made. It's a clean reset that costs a fraction of what full lock replacement would run.
Many Durham renters mistakenly assume their landlord will handle this automatically between tenants — but that's rarely required by law and even more rarely done in practice. If you're a homeowner who just closed on a property near Duke Forest or Southpoint, your real estate agent likely handed you only one or two keys, but you have no way of knowing the full history of that lock. A professional locksmith rekey is the single most reliable way to ensure your new home truly belongs to you from a security standpoint.
Home Lock Rekeying Services We Provide — What's Actually Included
Our mobile locksmith team handles rekeying for a wide range of residential lock types and scenarios. Here's a specific breakdown of what we cover: (1) Front door deadbolt rekeying, (2) Knob and lever handle lock rekeying, (3) Interior bedroom and bathroom privacy lock rekeying, (4) Garage entry door lock rekeying, (5) Sliding patio door lock rekeying, (6) Mailbox lock rekeying, (7) Storage unit padlock rekeying, (8) Multi-point lock rekeying on steel entry doors, (9) Smart lock cylinder rekeying where applicable, (10) Master key system setup for rekeyed locks, (11) Rekeying to a single key (keying alike) for multiple locks, (12) Emergency rekeying after a break-in or attempted entry, (13) Rekeying after lockout when a lost key is suspected stolen, (14) Apartment and condo lock rekeying, (15) Townhome community entry lock rekeying, (16) Rekeying after domestic situation or unauthorized occupant, (17) Rental property rekeying for landlords between tenants, (18) Rekeying ANSI Grade 1 and Grade 2 deadbolts, (19) Kwikset SmartKey rekeying, (20) Schlage, Baldwin, and Defiant brand rekeying, (21) Medeco and high-security cylinder rekeying, (22) Rekeying with restricted keyways for added duplication control, (23) Key control consultation alongside rekeying service, (24) Lock inspection and security audit bundled with rekey, (25) Same-day rekeying for move-in/move-out transitions.
Every job begins with a quick on-site assessment. Our technician will check whether your existing hardware is in good working condition before rekeying — if there's wear or damage, we'll let you know and discuss options. We work carefully to avoid damaging your door frame or lock finish, and in the vast majority of cases the entire process is completely non-destructive. You'll walk away with freshly cut keys and full confidence that previous keyholders can no longer enter.
What Does Rekeying Cost in Durham? Honest Pricing Information
Rekeying is typically far more affordable than replacing locks entirely. For a standard residential deadbolt or knob lock in Durham, rekeying generally runs in the range of $20–$50 per lock cylinder, plus a service call fee that varies based on time of day and location. Rekeying multiple locks in the same visit usually brings the per-lock cost down. Emergency or overnight calls — say, at 2 a.m. after realizing you lost your keys leaving a show at DPAC — will carry a higher service rate, which is completely normal and worth it for immediate peace of mind.
We want to be upfront: these figures are estimates based on typical jobs and are not a guaranteed quote. Lock brand, lock condition, quantity, key cutting requirements, and other on-site factors all affect the final price. What we commit to is this — our technician will assess your situation and give you the exact price before any work begins. There are no surprise charges added after the job is done. You approve the cost, then we get to work. Call us at (919) 809-6664 for a free phone estimate any time of day or night.
Durham Pro Locksmith: Trained Technicians, Mobile Service, Available Around the Clock
We are a fully mobile locksmith operation — there's no storefront to drive to, no drop-off required. Our trained, insured technicians drive fully stocked service vehicles throughout Durham, covering neighborhoods from Trinity Park and Walltown to Research Triangle Park corridor communities along I-40. When you call, a real person answers, and in most cases we can dispatch a technician to your location within 30–60 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Our technicians are experienced professionals who stay current with residential lock technology — from legacy Kwikset and Schlage hardware to newer smart lock systems that combine traditional cylinders with electronic access. We carry pin kits, key gauges, and cutting equipment on every truck so that rekeying and key cutting happen right at your door. No waiting days for an appointment, no hauling your door hardware across town. Durham Pro Locksmith exists to make professional lock security accessible, honest, and genuinely convenient for Durham residents when they need it most. Reach us any time at (919) 809-6664.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to what our customers ask most. Still unsure? Just call.
How is rekeying different from replacing my locks entirely?+
When a lock is rekeyed, a locksmith disassembles the cylinder and replaces the internal pin tumblers so that the old key no longer operates it — only the new key cut to the updated pin configuration will work. Lock replacement, by contrast, means swapping out the entire hardware unit. Rekeying costs significantly less and is just as effective security-wise when your existing locks are in good working condition. If your locks are worn, damaged, or simply low quality, we may recommend replacement instead and will tell you why before proceeding.
I just moved into a rental in Durham — can my landlord legally deny me a rekey?+
North Carolina law requires landlords to rekey or change locks between tenants upon request in some circumstances, but practices vary widely and enforcement is inconsistent. If your landlord hasn't rekeyed before your move-in, you have every right to hire a locksmith yourself — just make sure to check your lease regarding lock alterations and, if required, notify your landlord. Many Durham renters simply pay for rekeying out of pocket because the cost is low and the peace of mind is immediate. We can rekey your unit and provide you with documentation of the service if needed.
How long does it take to rekey a typical home in Durham?+
For a standard home with two to four lock cylinders — a front door deadbolt, a front knob lock, and a back door — the entire rekeying process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes once our technician arrives. Larger properties, high-security lock brands, or jobs requiring a master key system may take longer. We'll give you a time estimate when you call and again after the on-site assessment.
Can you rekey my locks at night or on a weekend?+
Absolutely. Durham Pro Locksmith operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. There's no such thing as a bad time to call if your security feels compromised. Late-night and weekend service calls do carry a higher service rate than standard daytime calls, and our technician will quote you the exact price before any work begins so there are no surprises.
Will rekeying damage my door or the lock hardware?+
In most cases, rekeying is a completely non-destructive process. Our technicians use proper plug followers and pin kits to disassemble and reassemble the cylinder without marring the lock body, door finish, or surrounding trim. If your lock is corroded, improperly installed, or has a damaged cylinder, there is a small chance of complications — but our technician will flag any concerns before starting and walk you through your options. We always aim for damage-free service.
Can I get all my home locks rekeyed to work on the same key?+
Yes — this is called 'keying alike' and it's one of the most popular requests we get, especially from homeowners who want a single key to open every exterior door. As long as the locks are compatible brands (or we swap the cylinders for compatible ones), our technician can configure multiple locks to operate on one key during the same visit. It simplifies daily life considerably and is included as part of our standard rekeying service options. Ask about this when you call (919) 809-6664.