Rekey Locks Cost in Florida (2026)

Rekey locks cost in Florida typically runs $75 to $200 for a standard two-door rekey (front and back door), or $15 to $30 per additional lock once someone is already on site. That's the number most homeowners in Ponte Vedra, St. Johns, and the Jacksonville Beaches are actually looking for, and it's a fraction of what a full lock replacement costs — which is exactly why so many people ask the wrong question first. They call around asking for "new locks" when what they actually need is a rekey, and they end up quoted two or three times more than necessary.

If you just closed on a house, handed keys back after a tenant moved out, or lost track of who has a copy of your key, rekeying is almost always the right move before you consider anything more expensive. Here's what it actually costs, what changes the price, and when it's worth paying more for something else.

How Much Does It Cost to Rekey Locks in Florida?

Rekey pricing in our service area breaks down like this:

• First lock (front door): $40–$75, which usually includes a service call fee
• Additional locks on the same visit: $15–$30 each
• Standard home (front + back door): $75–$200 total
• Whole house, 4-6 exterior locks: $150–$350 total
• High-security or specialty locks (Medeco, Schlage Primus, deadbolt-only smart lock bodies): $30–$60 per lock, since the pins and tooling cost more

The price mostly comes down to how many locks you're rekeying and whether they're standard residential hardware or higher-security cylinders. Rekeying doesn't require replacing the lock itself — the locksmith or handyman pulls the cylinder, swaps the pins inside so your old keys stop working, and cuts you new keys that match. The hardware on your door stays exactly the same.

Rekey Locks Cost by Job Type

Most Jacksonville-area homes land in the $75–$200 range for the front and back door, since that covers the two locks people actually worry about. If you've also got a side entry, a lanai door with a keyed lock, or a shed, add those in at $15–$30 each while whoever you hire is already there — it's cheap insurance and saves a second service call.

Rekey vs. Replace: Which Do You Actually Need?

This is the question that determines whether you pay $100 or $600, so it's worth getting right before you call anyone.

Rekey when:

• Your locks are in good working condition — no sticking, no worn-out keyway, no visible damage
• You just want old keys to stop working (new homeowner, ex-tenant, lost key, breakup, contractor finished a job)
• Your hardware already matches the style and finish you want
• You want every exterior door keyed alike, even if the locks are different brands (a locksmith can often rekey mismatched hardware to a single key)

Replace when:

• The lock itself is damaged, sticking, or the keyway is worn out from years of use
• You want to upgrade to a higher security grade (Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts)
• You're switching to smart locks or keyless entry
• The finish is outdated and you're updating hardware anyway as part of a bigger project

Rekeying solves the security problem — who has a working key — without solving a hardware problem that isn't there. If your locks work fine, paying for full replacement is money spent on something you didn't need. If your locks are already worn out, rekeying old, tired hardware just delays a replacement you'll pay for anyway.

Should You Rekey After Moving Into a New Home in Jacksonville?

Yes — every real estate agent and title company in Florida will tell you the same thing, and most closings don't include it automatically. The previous owner, their real estate agent, the home inspector, any contractors who worked on the house, and possibly a house-sitter or neighbor could all have working keys to your new front door. You have no way of knowing how many copies exist or who has them.

This is the single most common reason we get called for a rekey, and it's not optional caution — it's a basic security step that costs less than a routine plumbing service call. Do it in the first week you have keys, before you've unpacked enough to feel settled. The same logic applies after a divorce, after a roommate or tenant moves out, or any time you're not 100% sure who's holding a copy of your key.

Locksmith vs. Handyman for Rekeying: Who Should You Call?

Both can do this job, and the honest answer is that for standard residential rekeying, there's rarely a meaningful difference in the result — the confusion mostly comes from not knowing who to call first.

A locksmith specializes in locks exclusively. They'll have a wider range of pin kits on hand for less common or high-security cylinders, and if you need something unusual — safes, automotive keys, master key systems for a multi-unit property — that's their lane.

A handyman who does rekeying regularly can typically match a locksmith on price and turnaround for standard residential locks (Kwikset, Schlage, Baldwin — the brands in most Jacksonville-area homes), and has the advantage of being useful for everything else on your list. If your door also needs the strike plate adjusted, weatherstripping replaced, or the frame is slightly out of square and causing the deadbolt to bind, a handyman handles all of that in one visit instead of you scheduling two different trades.

Our rule of thumb: if it's standard residential hardware and you've got other small jobs around the house anyway, call a handyman. If you've got a high-security commercial-grade lock, a safe, or need a master key system, call a locksmith who specializes in that.

Rekey vs. Smart Lock: The Honest Comparison

This is the comparison most articles skip, and it's the one that actually matters once you're already deciding to do something about your locks.

A rekey costs $75–$200, takes 30-60 minutes, and solves exactly one problem: old keys stop working, new ones do. That's it. You still have a physical key you can lose, lend out, or need to change again down the road if the same situation comes up.

A smart lock costs more upfront — installation typically runs $150–$450 depending on the model, covered in detail on our smart lock installation cost guide — but it solves a broader problem. You can issue and revoke digital access without ever touching the hardware again: a code for the dog walker that expires after a week, remote access for a house cleaner, no re-keying needed every time your situation changes. For a rental property or a vacation home you're not always at, that flexibility is worth the extra cost.

Here's the honest tradeoff nobody quite says out loud: if you're moving into a new home and just need old keys deactivated once, a rekey is the cheaper, faster, entirely adequate answer — don't let anyone upsell you into a smart lock you weren't asking for. But if you're already finding yourself rekeying every year or two because of turnover (a rental, a shared property, kids heading off to college and back), the smart lock pays for itself in avoided rekey visits alone. Ask yourself how often you expect to need to change who has access, not just whether you want to.

DIY vs. Hiring a Handyman to Rekey Locks

Rekeying a standard pin-tumbler lock is a genuinely doable DIY project if you're willing to buy a rekey kit (roughly $15–$25 per lock brand at most hardware stores) and follow the instructions carefully. Kwikset's SmartKey line is designed to be rekeyed by the homeowner in under a minute with no tools and no kit at all, if you have the original working key.

Where DIY gets risky:

• Losing a spring or pin — the internal parts are small, and dropping one on the floor means either finding it or buying a new lock
• Mismatched hardware — if your doors have different brands or your locks are older, keying them all to one key isn't a DIY-kit job
• No working key to start with — if you're locked out or don't have a functioning key already, you need lock-picking or drilling tools most homeowners don't own

For a straightforward rekey where you already have a working key and matching hardware, DIY is a reasonable weekend project. For anything more complicated — new-home closings where you want everything keyed alike, mismatched brands, or you're just not confident with small mechanical parts — it's a low-cost call to make and takes the guesswork out of it.

FAQ: Rekey Locks Cost in Florida

How much does it cost to rekey locks in Florida? Most homeowners pay $75–$200 to rekey a front and back door together, or $15–$30 per additional lock. A single lock rekey with a service call typically runs $40–$75.

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace a lock? Rekeying is almost always cheaper. It reuses your existing hardware and only changes the internal pins, while replacement means buying and installing new lock bodies. Rekey unless your current locks are damaged or you want to upgrade the hardware itself.

Should I rekey locks when I buy a new house? Yes. You don't know how many copies of the key exist from the previous owner, agents, inspectors, or contractors. Rekeying in your first week of ownership is standard practice and costs less than most other move-in tasks.

Can a handyman rekey locks, or do I need a locksmith? A handyman experienced with standard residential locks (Kwikset, Schlage, Baldwin) can typically rekey for the same price and time as a locksmith. Save the locksmith for high-security or commercial-grade hardware.

Is a smart lock better than rekeying? It depends on how often your access needs change. A rekey is the cheaper, faster fix for a one-time situation like a move-in. A smart lock costs more upfront but lets you manage access without ever rekeying again — worth it if you expect frequent turnover in who has access.

Can I rekey all my locks to use the same key? Yes, in most cases. A locksmith or experienced handyman can rekey multiple locks — even different brands — to work with a single key, which is a common request during whole-house rekeys.

If you just moved in, lost track of a key, or simply want peace of mind, call Ponte Vedra Handyman at (904) 780-4116. We'll rekey your locks the same day in most cases, tell you honestly if a smart lock makes more sense for your situation, and handle any door or hardware fixes while we're already there. We serve Ponte Vedra, St. Johns, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach. Browse our outdoor and yard services in Ponte Vedra or St. Johns for related work, or check our blog for more home maintenance guides.