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Residential Locksmith Local Services July 1, 2026 residential locksmith

Rekey or Replace? Lock Security Tips for Virginia Beach

When Should You Rekey Your Locks? A Practical Guide for Virginia Beach Homeowners

Moving into a new home in Virginia Beach is exciting, but one detail that many homeowners overlook is the locks on their doors. Previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, and neighbors may all hold copies of your keys. Rekeying your locks closes that gap and gives you full control over who can enter your home.

Rekeying is one of the most requested services at Budget Locksmith of Virginia Beach, and for good reason. Knowing when to rekey, and why it matters, can save you from a security problem down the road.

What Rekeying Actually Does

When a locksmith rekeys a lock, they disassemble the cylinder and replace the internal pins with a new set. The lock itself stays in place, but only a newly cut key will operate it. Any previous keys stop working immediately after the service is complete.

Rekeying costs significantly less than a full lock replacement and takes only a few minutes per lock. If your existing hardware is in good condition, rekeying gives you fresh security at a fraction of the cost of new deadbolts and knobs.

Five Situations That Call for Rekeying Your Locks

1. You Just Moved Into a New Home

This situation calls for rekeying before you unpack a single box. You have no way to track how many copies of your keys exist or who currently holds them. A licensed locksmith can rekey every exterior lock in a single visit, giving you a clean start from day one.

2. You Recently Ended a Relationship or Had a Roommate Move Out

When someone who previously lived with you moves out, retrieving every copy of your key is rarely straightforward. Rekeying eliminates the uncertainty. You retain your existing locks and hardware while ensuring that any unreturned keys no longer work.

3. You Lost Your Keys or Had Them Stolen

A lost key is a manageable inconvenience. A stolen key, especially one attached to any identification or mail with your address, is a security risk that calls for immediate action. Rekeying the affected locks the same day you discover the loss is the most direct response.

4. You Recently Had Work Done on Your Home

Contractors, house cleaners, dog walkers, and other service providers often receive temporary key access during a project. Once the work is finished and keys have been returned, rekeying confirms that access is fully closed. You may have given out one key, but you have no control over whether that key was duplicated.

5. You Moved Into a Rental Property

Virginia Beach has a large rental market, and tenant turnover means the same key can pass through multiple households over the years. Even if your landlord provides a “new” key, previous tenants may hold copies. Ask your landlord about rekeying, or speak with a locksmith about your options as a renter.

Rekeying vs. Replacing: How to Decide

Rekeying makes practical sense when your existing locks are in good working order and you simply need to change who has access. Replacing your locks makes more sense when the hardware shows visible wear, the deadbolt or knob mechanism feels loose or sticky, or you want to upgrade to a higher security rating.

A licensed locksmith can inspect your current hardware and give you an honest recommendation. In many cases, rekeying is all you need. In others, a lock replacement adds durability and a longer service life to the security benefit.

How Often Should Virginia Beach Homeowners Think About Lock Security?

A good rule of thumb is to review your lock security any time your household situation changes. That includes moves, relationship changes, staff turnover, lost keys, or any break-in attempt in your neighborhood. Treating lock security as a periodic checkup rather than a one-time setup keeps you ahead of potential problems.

Virginia Beach neighborhoods range from busy resort areas to quiet suburban streets, and each environment carries its own patterns of foot traffic and risk. A local locksmith familiar with the area can help you evaluate your specific situation rather than apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

Schedule Your Rekey Service Today

Budget Locksmith of Virginia Beach serves homeowners and renters across Virginia Beach with fast, affordable rekeying and lock services. Our technicians are licensed, local, and ready to help you secure your home the same day you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does rekeying a lock typically cost compared to replacing it?

Rekeying a lock generally costs between $15 and $25 per lock in labor, plus a service call fee, making it significantly cheaper than buying and installing new hardware. A full lock replacement can run $75 to $200 or more per lock depending on the brand and security rating. If your existing deadbolts and knobs are in good shape, rekeying delivers the same access control benefit at a much lower price.

Can all types of locks be rekeyed?

Most standard pin tumbler locks, including common deadbolts and knob locks, can be rekeyed by a licensed locksmith. Some high-security locks, smart locks, or older proprietary hardware may require manufacturer-specific tools or replacement parts. A locksmith can inspect your locks beforehand and tell you whether rekeying is possible or whether a different approach is needed.

How long does it take to rekey all the locks in a house?

A locksmith can typically rekey all exterior locks in an average home in 30 to 60 minutes during a single visit. The exact time depends on the number of locks and whether they all need to be keyed alike, meaning one key operates all of them. Keying locks alike adds a small amount of time but is usually worth requesting so you only need to carry one key.

Is rekeying something a homeowner can do themselves?

Rekeying kits are available at hardware stores for certain lock brands, but the process requires disassembling the cylinder and handling small internal pins in a specific order. An error during reassembly can leave the lock inoperable or less secure than before. Most homeowners find that hiring a licensed locksmith is faster, avoids the risk of damaging the hardware, and costs little more than buying the kit.

Can a landlord legally refuse to rekey a rental unit between tenants?

Virginia law requires landlords to rekey rental units between tenants, so new tenants have the right to request this before or at move-in. If your landlord has not complied, putting your request in writing creates a record of the request. You can also contact a locksmith to understand your options, though any work on a rental unit typically requires landlord consent unless the lease states otherwise.

With a 4.8-star rating across more than 1,390 Google reviews, we have built our reputation one lock at a time. Call us at (757) 330-3377 or visit budget-locksmith-virginia-beach.com to schedule your service. We will have your home rekeyed and your peace of mind restored before the day is out.

Automotive Locksmith Commercial Locksmith Locksmith Services Residential Locksmith Local Services December 13, 2022 change locks, commercial locks, home locks, rekey locks

Re-Keying Your Door Locks

Re-keying locks

If you’ve ever moved into a new house, misplaced your keys, or had to terminate an unhappy employee, you’ve thought about changing your locks. Most individuals are unaware that re-keying your door locks is a far better and often less expensive alternative than replacing them. The budget locksmith will explain what it means to “rekey” a lock and, more significantly, when you should rekey your locks rather than change them. Why is this significant, you may ask? Because it can save you a lot of money every year. Some locksmiths take advantage of the fact that customers are unaware of the distinctions, and instead of discussing the various alternatives with the customer, they pick the more costly one for them.

What is the process of rekeying a lock?

While “changing a lock” is self-explanatory, simply referring to replacing an old lock with a new one, “rekeying” takes more explanation. Rekeying a lock implies changing the working key of the lock to a new key without replacing the lock itself. In other words, you maintain the same lock, but the old key no longer works. This is accomplished by disassembling the lock and changing some of the internal components (referred to as “tumblers” or “key pins”). Every series of key pins in your lock corresponds to a certain key pin, so when you replace those pins with other ones, you establish a new key that will now operate the lock. Despite how hard this may seem; it is a simple technique that should only take a few minutes if the proper equipment is used.

A current matching key is required for the locksmith to rekey a lock. Without the matching key, the only method to rekey the lock is to pick it open, and although this is normally not a problem for an experienced locksmith, it can often incur extra costs that may make it more costly than replacing the lock entirely.

Rekeying a lock does not affect its security or make it more secure. The number of pins included inside a wave is one aspect that contributes to its security. The lock will remain just as safe as before as long as the locksmith replaces the old 5 pins with 5 new ones. If you want to improve the security of your locks, replacing them with newer, more secure models is the way to go.

Because of the incredibly low cost of the key pins in the locks, rekeying is usually always significantly less expensive than replacing your locks. When you rekey your locks, you pay for labor; however, you pay for both labor and components when you have your locks replaced.

Keep in mind that all locks can be rekeyed built-in, so you won’t have to ponder if your locks are rekeyable or not. However, the method for rekeying various locks is not always the same and often necessitates special equipment. Some high-security locks, such as “Medeco” and “Mul-T-Lock,” need a specific set of tools and key pins to be rekeyed.

Rekeying is used not just to retire an old key but also to match more than one lock to the same key. For example, if your property has numerous locks and each lock has a separate key, which might be troublesome, you may wish to rekey the locks to match the same key. Remember that to compare two or more locks for one key; the locks must be of the same brand or have the same keyholes. If your key fits one lock but not the other, it implies that their keyholes (or “keyways”) are different and cannot be matched.

Why is it important?

Unless you are an expert at lock picking or specialize in this profession, it is difficult to open a lock if you do not have the key. But what if someone was able to get a duplicate of the key? Is it still unable to get the lock open? No, since he can now see the key pattern, which will enable him to construct a duplicate or have a copy manufactured. This is why re-keying your door locks is so critical. If someone wants to break into your home, they may make a duplicate and enter without your knowledge. If you detect missing items in your house or find your door locks open after you had previously closed them, it is a good idea to arrange an appointment with your local residential locksmith and get your locks rekeyed.

When should you rekey?

There are several reasons why you should think about rekeying your locks.

When you misplaced your keys
One reason to rekey the locks is as follows: When you lose your keys, you will need an emergency home lockout service, but you will also require a rekeying lock service.
After you moved to a new home
Another cause is that you’ve relocated to a new residence. This protects your property from past tenants’ keys.
When a family member or friend moved out of your house
Someone who has just moved out of your home and has their keys. It might be a roommate, a previous lover or spouse, or a landlord. Rekeying the locks is in your best interests and safety.
When your lock has been picked
When someone has attempted to break into your house, or when the lock seems damaged from a possible burglary. It’s time to improve your security by replacing the broken lock.

When should you change your locks?

You want your locks to have a different color or style. For example, if you moved into a new property and your locks are old and corroded, you may want to replace them with newer, nicer-looking ones.
When you wish to improve your security and replace your locks with high-security or electronic locks.
If you have locks of various brands Lock Change in your home and want them all to function on the same key, you will need to replace some locks so that all of your locks are of the same brand (or have the same sort of keyway), only then can you rekey them all to one key.

If you have one or more locks installed but do not have the key to them, you will need to assess the cost of a new lock vs. rekeying them without a key (which requires additional work) and make an educated choice as to which is most cost-efficient. Only if picking the lock and rekeying it costs more than the cost of a new lock should you replace it.

It is important to note that when you have your locks replaced, the locksmith should be able to provide you with at least a couple of locks that have a matching key. Most hardware shops will also match your locks for free if you buy them.

Can you re-key your locks on your own?

Re-keying your door locks requires not just knowledge and skill but also the purchase of expensive equipment. A professional pinning kit for rekeying most locks is much more than the cost of ten new basic locks. Another thing to remember is that if you attempt to change a lock manually and fail, there isn’t much harm you can do to the lock, but trying to rekey a lock and failing will almost always ruin it.

Some newer locks allow you to quickly rekey them yourself without disassembling them or hiring a locksmith. These locks, such as the Kwikset SmartKey and Schlage SecureKey, are becoming more popular as technology advances, but they are not without problems. So, if rekeying locks isn’t something you often do, I suggest keeping your usual locks on your door for the time being.

The Advantages of Re-keying Your Door Locks

Some people adore the appearance of their locks and want to keep them. The most significant advantage of re-keying your door locks and house locks is that you can continue to use your old hardware while using new keys. In certain circumstances, if a lock isn’t functioning correctly, you should replace it to offer yourself peace of mind by having a functional lock on a door. When it comes to commercial locks for business, you need a professional locksmith to assist you through the stages of implementing a master key system. A keypad lock for the company also facilitates simple access for managers and personnel.

Lock Rekeying and Lock Replacement in the Commercial Sector

Lock rekeying is already important in commercial and industrial settings. Employees left with the master key jammed locks after hours, and even break-ins have occurred. Budget locksmith of Virginia Beach has assisted several companies in securing their facilities by providing high-quality industrial and commercial locksmith services. Whether you have a restaurant with several workers or a factory that needs locks to be replaced, it is best to do it as soon as possible to minimize problems. We advise all company owners not to put things off until the last minute. If you use a lock regularly and it isn’t working properly, contact your local locksmith for assistance.

Budget Locksmith of Virginia Beach provides Rekey services in Virginia Beach. Call us for the finest rekeying services. We provide the best services and best rates.

Automotive Locksmith Commercial Locksmith Locksmith Services Residential Locksmith Local Services December 13, 2022 change locks, electronic locks, keyless entry system, keypad locks, make new keys, rekey locks

What to Do if You’ve Lost Your Keys

Lost Your Keys?

It occurs to everyone at some point. You need to start your car or get into your house. When you look for your keys, they aren’t where they should be. Usually, you never notice you’ve lost your keys until it’s too late. It’s easy to get upset while you’re hurrying out the door or driving home from work. Take a deep breath before fear sets in. Follow this step-by-step guide to transition from a state of panic to complete peace of mind.

Double-check to make sure you don’t have keys with you. Always double-check to ensure that you haven’t forgotten where you put your keys. Purses, shoulder bags, and backpacks are often large enough that keys may be covered by other items within. Make a thorough search of your bag, and if required, empty it to ensure that your keys are not stored in a hidden pouch. Even if you don’t generally carry your keys in a backpack, check all of your pockets to be sure they aren’t hidden someplace with you.

Consider the possibilities of where they may be. Because your keys aren’t where you expected them to be, mentally retrace your movements to figure out where they may be hiding. Questions such as “When was the last time I used my keys?” and “What did I do with my keys after I last used them?” are helpful. Whether you share keys with someone, double-check to see if they’ve been used lately or if they’ve been left in a new location. Also, take into account any deviations from your typical routine that could have resulted in you leaving your keys in an unusual location.

Carry out a thorough investigation. Once you’ve made a mental list of possible hiding locations for your keys, go through the list and check if any of them include your keys. If at all feasible, return to each of these places and do your own investigation. Follow these recommendations to make your search more effective:

Be patient, not rushed. It is not necessary to verify the same location several times if you properly inspect it once.
Always double-check that you’re in the right area. Keys are frequently found hanging about their given place, even if they are not in the precise position that they should be.
If you have the opportunity, clean up the suspicious areas. Keys are often hidden in plain sights, such as beneath sofa cushions or in a stack of mail.
Consult with a friend. When hunting for lost keys in public venues such as restaurants or libraries, check with management to see if any keys have been handed in late.

If you are unable to examine all of these locations individually, ask friends or family members to assist you

Contact the authorities to report the loss of keys. This step is optional, but you may contact or visit your local police station to see whether any keys have been handed in. Keys discovered on the streets or in public parks are sometimes turned over to the police and stored in a secure place.

Make use of a spare key.If you’re fortunate enough to have a spare, now is the time to use it. These are occasionally concealed in plain sight; other times, they are in possession of family members or roommates. If you are unable to get to your spare from your current position, contact someone who can explain the issue and ask him or her to assist you in getting out of your jam.

Hire a professional locksmith. It’s tempting at this stage to attempt to get into your home or car using more extreme or hidden methods. Unless it’s an emergency, it’s best to save money and time by hiring a locksmith. Also, if you have discovered your keys but are unable to retrieve them, such as when they are locked in your vehicle, and you do not have a replacement key, a locksmith is your best alternative. Budget locksmiths can assist you in unlocking your house or car as fast as possible without causing any damage to your personal items.

Make a decision on whether to cut a new key or replace your locks.Locksmiths don’t simply open doors in an emergency; they can also provide valuable advice on what to do if you’ve misplaced your keys. Cutting a new key for an existing lock is a suitable alternative in many circumstances, and it’s generally the least costly. If you’re worried about someone using your missing keys, it’s a good idea to change your locks. Locksmiths deal with situations like these on a regular basis. Therefore, they are an excellent resource when making this choice.
Take preventative measures. People are more cautious about keeping hold of their keys once they have misplaced them. Take precautionary measures now, while the situation is still fresh in your memory, to save time and worry in the future. If you don’t have a spare set of keys, you should get them made by a locksmith. These new keys should be kept in a secure but conveniently accessible location such as your workplace or garage. A mailbox or a flower planter should be avoided since many burglars start their search there first.

New Home Lock Change & Security Upgrades

So, now that you have finally been able to move into your new house, how can you ensure that anything like this never happens again? The steps you take may be influenced by whether the key has been lost or taken in part. However, whether they were stolen or misplaced, lost home keys are a security hazard and should be avoided at all costs. This is especially true if your home keys have any identifying markers that might be used to trace them back to you if they are lost or stolen.

Locks should be changed.

If you have lost or stolen keys, you must replace the keys and change the locks. In addition, if the lock becomes damaged when you are opening the doors, you should replace it. Depending on the kind of lock that you have put on the door, it may not be required to replace the complete lock system. There are several less expensive alternatives listed below.

Locks should be rekeyed.

Rekeying is a less expensive alternative to replacing the complete lock, yet it is just as effective. Hopefully, there was no damage to the lock, and it is a model that can be rekeyed if necessary. It is possible to rekey a lock by changing or rearranging the combination pins inside it, making it so that a new key may be used to unlock it. It renders the old key useless.

Make a new set of keys.

You should only use this option if you have thoroughly investigated the case and are certain that there is no danger of someone discovering the old keys, tracking your home, and using the key to gain entry into your residence. Cutting a new key is a simple and inexpensive process that may be completed by a professional locksmith. The replacement keys will be a carbon copy of the original set of home keys that were lost.

Install a keyless entry system.

These are electronic locks that do not need the use of a physical key. There is no possibility of your house keys going missing in the future if you choose this option. You may unlock keyless locks by entering a code into a keypad, ring dial, or smartphone app, among other methods. Those who lose their keys on a regular basis may consider using this option. Some of them also give you the option of using an actual key to unlock the door.

It’s never pleasant to misplace your keys, but it does happen every now and again. If this occurs to you, keep in mind that Budget locksmith is merely a phone call away. With years of expertise, we take great pride in meeting all of your business and home locksmith requirements. We have a broad range of keys, locks, and a variety of additional security supplies for your house or company. Budget locksmith is the company to call if you want to improve the security of your house or business or if you have a security problem. Please contact us professionally. We will assist you and provide you best options to get out of the nightmare situation and will get your desired keys on time.

Category: Residential Locksmith