How much does Lock changing cost?

Changing your house locks is a no-brainer when you move into a new home or your house keys are stolen, and you want to make sure no unauthorized people can get in.

But there are other reasons for homeowners to consider changing locks. If your existing locks are old or don’t work very well, you may want to replace them with new ones. Or you might decide to install new locks with slick new features—like keyless smart locks or similar high-tech lock systems.

While DIY-oriented homeowners can buy a simple door lock at a hardware store and install it themselves, this job is usually done by a professional locksmith. Whether it’s for home security, better functionality, or higher quality, having a locksmith service change locks is a relatively affordable home improvement that can go a long way toward protecting your home, family, and possessions. 

In this guide, you’ll learn about the typical cost of hiring a local locksmith to change your locks.

To learn more, read How to find a good locksmith.

Most locksmiths charge a minimum service call fee of $60–140 to visit your home, which typically includes tasks that take up to an hour. Beyond that, you’ll usually pay an hourly rate of about $50–100. 

There are 2 main ways for a professional locksmith to change locks: replacing them with new ones, or rekeying the existing locks.

Replacing a lock. If your lock isn’t working or you want to upgrade it, you can have the entire lock replaced, including the knob or handle and all of the hardware. The average cost to replace a standard lock is $80–225, including materials and labor.

Replacing locks with a high-tech keyless lock system, which can be Bluetooth-enabled or controlled by a keypad, is a popular high-security upgrade for exterior doors. These systems ensure that you’ll never be locked out. And they’re easily reprogrammed, so rekeying locks is unnecessary. These high-tech “smart” and electronic locks can cost $75–350+, installed. 

To learn more, read Smart home security: Quick and easy home protection.

Rekeying a lock. If you want a basic security boost without upgrading the door locks themselves, you can have existing locks rekeyed. This involves modifying the locks’ inner mechanisms so they fit new keys—and the old keys won’t work anymore.

At $100–300 per door, rekeying is usually less expensive than lock replacement. 

The following details can affect how much you’ll pay to have locks changed.

How much does it cost to change the lock? 

To have a professional locksmith install a residential door lock, the average price is $80–225, including materials and labor costs. However, upgrading to a high-end lock, electronic lock, or high-security lock can cost significantly more.

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks? 

At an average cost of $100–300 per door, rekeying the lock mechanism—which typically doesn’t require replacing hardware, the knob lock, or deadbolt—is almost always less expensive than installing a whole new door lock. However, if an old lock is balky or broken, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a new one than pay for both lock repair and rekeying.

Should I change locks after buying a house? 

Since you don’t know how many keys the previous owners had made for their friends, family members, and others, changing locks can make your new house more secure and offer peace of mind. If you aren’t sure whether to have them rekeyed or pay for new lock installation, it costs about $60–140 to have an experienced locksmith come to your home and offer advice.

Find a professional locksmith in your area.