Rekey & Smart Lock Specialists in San Diego
New home, new tenant, lost keys, or a smart lock upgrade: we come to you, quote one firm price, and finish the same day. Nothing but rekeys and smart locks, so we are fast at both.
- Whole-home rekey from $124, most homes under an hour
- Smart lock installed, aligned and paired from $149
- Price agreed before we roll, no trip-fee surprises
Same-day appointments most days
- Same-day appointments
- Upfront pricing, no surprises
- Licensed and insured
- All of San Diego County
- Workmanship guaranteed
- Pay on completion, after you test
Rekey Republic is a mobile locksmith that only does rekeying and smart locks, everywhere in San Diego County. New keys and dead old keys in about an hour, or a smart lock installed, aligned and paired the same day. You get one firm price up front, and we come to you.
Why we only do rekeys and smart locks · Common questions · Contact us
What we do
Two specialties, done every day. Pick the one that matches your situation, or call and we will tell you which you need.
Lock Rekeying
New keys that work, old keys that do not, same locks on the door
From $124Learn more →New Home Rekey
Every exterior door rekeyed in a single visit
From $124Learn more →Landlord & Turnover Rekey
Turnover rekeys scheduled around move-out inspections
From $124Learn more →Lost or Stolen Keys Rekey
Same-day visits when keys go missing with your address
From $124Learn more →Smart Lock Installation
Any major brand, supplied by us or bought by you
From $149Learn more →Smart Locks for Airbnb & Rentals
Guest codes that expire automatically at check-out
From $149Learn more →Rekey or replace? Here is the honest answer
If your locks work smoothly and the only problem is who has a key, rekey. If a lock is worn, damaged, mismatched, or you want a keypad or smart lock, replace that one and rekey the rest to match. Most San Diego homes need a mix, and we tell you which is which on-site before doing any work.
| Situation | Rekey | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Just bought or rented a home | Yes, all exterior doors | Only worn or mismatched locks |
| Lost or unreturned keys | Yes, same day | Not needed |
| Lock sticks, wobbles or is corroded | Sometimes fixes it | Usually the better long-term fix |
| Want one key for every door | Yes if keyways match | Swap the odd one out |
| Want keypad or app access | No | Smart lock install |
| Typical time per door | About 10 minutes | 20 to 40 minutes |
Read the full rekey vs. change locks guide or see lock replacement and deadbolt installation.
How it works
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Tell us what you have
Call, text or send the form with your address, door count and lock brand if you know it.
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Get one firm price
We quote the whole job before we drive over. No trip-fee surprises, no upsell at the door.
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We come to you, same day
A licensed locksmith arrives in the agreed window with pins, keys and hardware on the truck.
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Test it, keep the keys
You test every door and code yourself before we leave. Old keys are dead, new keys are in your hand.
Every major smart lock, installed so it actually works
Most smart lock complaints are door problems: a bolt that rubs, a strike that is off by a few millimeters, batteries dying in weeks. We fix the door first, then install, pair and hand you a lock that just works.
More ways we help
Smaller jobs we do every week, usually in the same visit as a rekey.
Mailbox Lock Replacement
New lock and fresh keys in about 10 to 15 minutes
From $69Learn more →Sliding Door & Gate Locks
Sliders that will not latch fixed at the roller and keeper, not just the handle
From $99Learn more →Garage Entry Door Locks
Garage-to-house door and side door rekeyed to your front door key
From $25Learn more →French & Multipoint Door Locks
Handle lifts but bolts do not throw: gearbox diagnosed and replaced
From $99Learn more →Who we work with
Pages written for the people who book locks for a living, or who are moving on orders.
For Real Estate Agents
Book for a client with an address, a close date and a door count
From $124Learn more →For Property Managers
Turnover rekeys batched by property and scheduled around move-outs
From $124Learn more →For HOAs & Community Associations
Pool gates that self-close and self-latch, checked against current code
Custom quoteLearn more →For Military Families
Rekey booked around your key date, moved when orders change
From $124Learn more →Everywhere in San Diego County
From Imperial Beach to Oceanside and out to Ramona. Pick your area for local details, or just tell us where you are.
Central San Diego
- Downtown San Diego
- Hillcrest
- Mission Hills
- Bankers Hill
- North Park
- South Park
- Golden Hill
- University Heights
- Normal Heights
- Kensington & Talmadge
- City Heights
- Logan Heights & Barrio Logan
- Old Town
- Mission Valley
- Linda Vista
- Kearny Mesa
- Serra Mesa
- Clairemont
- Bay Park
- Tierrasanta
- College Area
- San Carlos, Del Cerro & Allied Gardens
- Encanto
- Paradise Hills
- Otay Mesa
- San Ysidro
Coastal San Diego
North San Diego
East County
North County Inland
North County Coastal
Guides from the truck
Straight answers to the questions we get on every job.
August vs Level Bolt: The Two Locks That Keep Your Keys
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or Level Bolt? Both keep your exterior deadbolt and keys. How they differ on Wi-Fi, keypad, batteries, fit, HOA rules and price.
Which Key Do You Have? Identify KW1, SC1 and SmartKey in 60 Seconds
Tell a Kwikset KW1 key from a Schlage SC1 by the bow and the keyway, spot a SmartKey slot, and learn which brands share a key so keyed alike works.
Kwikset Halo Offline or Not Connecting: A Fix-It Checklist
Kwikset Halo offline, keypad dark or fingerprint failing? Ten-minute fixes for batteries, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, re-pairing and SmartKey, then when to call.
Questions we answer every day
What is the difference between rekeying and changing locks?
Rekeying keeps your existing lock and changes the pins inside so a new key works and old keys do not. Changing locks replaces the hardware. Rekeying is cheaper and faster when the lock is in good shape; replacement makes sense when the lock is worn, damaged, or you want a different style or a smart lock.
How long does it take to rekey a house?
Most single-family homes with three to five exterior locks take 30 to 60 minutes including cutting the new keys. Condos with one or two doors are usually done in 20 minutes.
Can you make one key work for every door?
Yes, as long as the locks share the same keyway (for example all Kwikset or all Schlage). If they do not match, we can swap a cylinder or two so everything runs on one key. It is called keying alike and it is a common request.
Do you install smart locks that I bought myself?
Yes. Bring your Schlage, Yale, Kwikset, August, Level, Ultraloq or other lock and we install, align and set it up. If you have not bought one yet, we can supply the right model for your door and use case.
Which areas do you cover?
All of San Diego County: every City of San Diego neighborhood plus Chula Vista, National City, Coronado, La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas and the communities in between.
Are you a licensed locksmith?
Yes, we are licensed and insured. Locksmith companies in California are licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). You can verify any California locksmith license on the BSIS website.
Get a fast, free quote
Tell us what you need and where. We reply fast during business hours, usually within minutes.