How Long Does It Take to Rekey a Lock?

When you rekey a door lock, a locksmith disassembles the cylinder and replaces the small internal pins so that the old key no longer works — only the new key does. The lock hardware itself stays in place. This is different from how to change a lock, which means removing the entire lockset and installing a new one. Rekeying is faster and typically the right call when your existing hardware is in good shape and you simply need to invalidate old keys. Changing the lock entirely makes more sense when the hardware is worn, damaged, or you are upgrading to a higher-security option.

A mortise lock — the type commonly found in older Schaumburg homes and many commercial properties — requires a bit more time to service than a standard door knob lock or deadbolt because of how the lock body is set into a pocket carved into the door edge. A skilled locksmith knows the difference immediately and will factor that into the job timeline. If you are ever unsure what type of hardware you have, a quick photo sent to our team is usually enough to get a straight answer before we even arrive.

For a single standard deadbolt or door knob lock, rekeying typically takes a professional 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish — that includes disassembly, swapping the pins, reassembly, and testing the new key in both the locked and unlocked positions. If you have a mortise lock, budget closer to 20 to 35 minutes because the cylinder extraction process involves more steps and the hardware is more intricate. Either way, you are not looking at hours of disruption to your day.

For a full house rekey — say, a front door deadbolt, a door knob lock on the same door, a back door, a side garage entry, and a few interior locks — a professional can usually complete everything in 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Homes in Schaumburg subdivisions like Weathersfield or Plum Grove Estates often have four to six exterior entry points once you count the garage side door and any basement walk-outs, so give yourself a realistic window. The more locks you can group into a single visit, the more efficient the whole job becomes. If you are ready to get this scheduled, call (847) 656-4996 — we are available around the clock and can often reach your address the same day.

Not all locks are created equal, and that matters when you are estimating how long a rekey will take. A standard Kwikset or Schlage door knob lock with a simple pin tumbler cylinder is the fastest to service. A double-cylinder deadbolt adds a few extra minutes because both sides need to be addressed. A mortise lock — which is a rectangular lock body that sits inside the door itself rather than on the surface — is the most involved of the three. Mortise locks are common on exterior doors of older Schaumburg-area homes built in the mid-twentieth century, and they are nearly universal in commercial settings like office suites along Golf Road or retail spaces near Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts.

Rekeying a mortise lock is not something most homeowners should attempt on their own without experience. The cylinder must be removed correctly, the correct replacement pins sourced, and the whole assembly reinstalled with proper tension. An experienced locksmith has the right tools and pin kits on hand in their mobile unit, which is a big reason why a professional can do in 25 minutes what might take an unprepared do-it-yourselfer an entire afternoon — with the real risk of damaging the lock body in the process.

Yes, a mobile locksmith can absolutely come directly to your home. Our team runs fully equipped vehicles throughout the Schaumburg area, which means we carry the pin kits, cylinders, and tools needed to handle most rekeying jobs on the spot without a return trip. When we arrive, we will verify ownership or occupancy — this is a standard, professional step that any legitimate locksmith should perform — and then walk the property with you to count and identify every lock you want serviced. For anyone wondering how can I get into my house if I am locked out, or how to unlock a door if you are locked out of your house, the answer is always the same: call a professional rather than attempting to force entry. We handle lockouts alongside rekeys every day, and verifying who you are before opening anything is how we protect you and your neighbors.

Once the walk-through is done, the locksmith gets to work. You will typically receive one or more freshly cut keys matched to the new pin configuration before the technician leaves. If you want all your exterior locks to operate on the same key — called keying alike — just mention that at the start. The whole experience should feel straightforward, transparent, and leave you with documentation of the work done. Factors that affect your final quote include the number and type of locks, the specific hardware brand, the time of day, and travel distance — we always confirm an exact price before any work begins, so there are no surprises.

Sometimes rekeying is not a planned move-in task — it is urgent. If a key was lost or stolen, if you just ended a relationship with someone who had a copy, or if your property experienced an attempted forced entry, getting the locks rekeyed fast is a security priority. Questions like how much would an emergency locksmith cost or how much does an emergency locksmith cost near me are completely reasonable to ask, and the honest answer is that the price depends on factors like the time of call, the number of locks, the lock type, and travel distance to your location. We will always give you a firm, up-front quote before touching anything — no vague estimates, no after-the-fact surprises.

For those wondering how much will a locksmith charge to open a safe — perhaps you moved into a Schaumburg home that came with a built-in safe and no combination — that is a separate service with its own timeline and pricing factors, but it follows the same principle: we assess the job, give you a clear number, and only proceed with your approval. Whether the call is planned or urgent, our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Schaumburg does not sleep, and neither do we. If you need a professional at 2 a.m. after discovering a problem with your locks, call (847) 656-4996 and someone will answer.