How long does it take to rekey a lock?

How Long Does Rekeying a Lock Actually Take?

A single residential lock rekey takes 15–30 minutes from start to finish. That includes removing the cylinder, changing the pin stack to match a new key, reassembling, and testing. Most Fort Collins homes have 2–3 locks — front door, back door, and sometimes a garage entry — which puts the total job time at 45–60 minutes for the whole house.

Timing depends on lock brand and condition. A standard Schlage B60N or Kwikset 980 deadbolt in good shape goes fast. A worn, cheap Grade 3 cylinder — common in older CSU-area rentals — can take longer because the pins are corroded or the cylinder is difficult to extract cleanly.

What Affects the Time Per Lock?

Three main factors influence rekeying speed: lock brand, lock condition, and whether all your locks are keyed to the same system.

• Lock brand: Schlage and Kwikset use industry-standard pin tumbler systems that most locksmiths rekey quickly. Medeco and Mul-T-Lock high-security cylinders use patented keyways and rotating elements — rekeying those takes longer and costs more.
• Lock condition: A cylinder with worn or corroded pins needs careful handling. Older homes in Old Town Fort Collins — many built in the 1960s–1980s — often have hardware that hasn't been serviced in years. Sticky or stiff cylinders add 10–20 minutes.
• Master keying: If you want multiple locks opened by one key, the locksmith calculates a master key system. This adds planning time — typically 15–30 minutes for a simple residential setup.

Colorado's temperature swings — from -15°F in winter to 95°F in summer — cause door frames to expand and contract, which can shift alignment between the door and strike plate. A locksmith may adjust the hardware as part of the visit if your deadbolt has been stiff lately.

How Much Does a Rekey Cost in Fort Collins — and Is a Quote Given First?

Rekeying costs $75–$120 per lock in Fort Collins. A reputable local locksmith provides a firm quote before starting work. Most homes need 2–3 locks rekeyed, putting total job cost in the $150–$360 range depending on hardware complexity.

For detailed pricing — including after-hours rates and what changes if you need full lock replacement instead — see how much does lock rekeying cost in Fort Collins.

Rekeying vs. Replacing: Which Takes Longer?

Rekeying is faster than replacing — a rekey takes 15–30 minutes per lock, while installing a new deadbolt takes 30–60 minutes per lock depending on whether the existing prep work fits the new hardware.

If your existing deadbolt is ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 and in solid condition, rekeying is typically the right choice. It's faster, cheaper, and provides identical security — the old key simply stops working. Replacement makes sense when the cylinder is worn, the lock is Grade 3 (the weakest rating), or you're upgrading to a smart lock like a Schlage Encode or Yale Assure.

Not sure which situation applies? Read should I rekey or replace locks when moving into a new home in Fort Collins for a side-by-side comparison.

Can You Rekey Multiple Locks to the Same Key in One Visit?

Yes — a locksmith can rekey multiple locks to one key in a single visit. This is called "keying alike," where the locksmith matches the pin stack in each cylinder to the same key cut.

For a Fort Collins home with a front door, back door, and side garage entry, one key then opens all three — useful if you're managing multiple family members or replacing keys after a loss. ALOA-certified locksmiths (see the Associated Locksmiths of America) specialize in pin stack configuration for this type of multi-lock job. Keying alike on a 3-lock house typically adds only 15–20 minutes compared to rekeying each lock independently, since the planning is done once and applied to each cylinder in sequence.