Rekey & Smart Lock Questions, Answered

Rekeying changes the pins inside the lock cylinder so a new key operates it and the old keys no longer work. The lock, deadbolt and handle stay on the door. It takes about 10 minutes per cylinder and costs a fraction of replacing the hardware.

Yes. Previous owners, agents, contractors, cleaners and lockbox users may all hold copies. Rekeying every exterior door on move-in day, including the garage entry door, is the standard advice and usually takes under an hour.

Almost all pin-tumbler locks from Kwikset, Schlage, Baldwin, Emtek, Weiser and similar brands can be rekeyed. Some damaged, very cheap, or unusual locks are better replaced. We tell you which on-site before doing anything.

Yes, if the locks share a keyway, for example all Kwikset (KW1) or all Schlage (SC1). If one door is a different brand we can swap that cylinder so everything runs on a single key. See our keyed-alike service.

It helps but is not required. With a working key the job is faster. Without one we can still pick or decode most residential locks and rekey them. Kwikset SmartKey locks without a working key need a reset procedure, which we also do.

About 10 minutes per cylinder once we are at the door. A three-door home with deadbolts is usually 30 to 45 minutes including cutting your new keys.

Yes. We replace compartment locks on privately owned cluster boxes, apartment mailbox banks and locking home mailboxes, and hand you new keys on the spot. USPS-owned cluster boxes are handled by the post office, and the carrier arrow lock is never touched. Not sure who owns your box? Ask the HOA or your local station, or send us a photo.

Yes. Most sliders stop latching because the rollers wore and the panel dropped, which we correct along with the keeper and handle set. For side-yard and driveway gates we install keyed latches and gate deadbolts, and when the keyway matches we put the gate on your house key.

It depends on the door and how you will use it. For most San Diego homes a keypad deadbolt with a key backup (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure Lock 2, Kwikset Halo) is the safe pick. If you want to keep your existing deadbolt and key, a retrofit like August or Level fits inside. Our smart lock brands page and buying guide compare them.

Many can. Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo and keyed Yale models have a standard keyway that we rekey like any deadbolt. Key-free models have no cylinder to rekey; instead we reset codes and unlink old phones. Retrofit locks like August keep your existing deadbolt, so we rekey that.

Standard exterior doors with a 2-1/8 inch bore and a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset take most smart locks. Very thick doors, mortise locks, some metal or glass doors and old hardware need a specific model or an adapter. Send us a photo and we will confirm before you buy.

No. Keypad codes and Bluetooth work without Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi (built in or via a bridge) adds remote unlocking, notifications and scheduled guest codes from anywhere, which is what vacation rental hosts want.

We check and correct door alignment so the bolt throws freely, install the lock, set up the app, add your codes and users, connect Wi-Fi or a hub if applicable, enable auto-lock if you want it, and walk you through it before we leave.

Use the physical key override if your lock has one. Many keypad locks also have 9-volt battery terminals on the bottom of the keypad: hold a fresh battery to them and enter your code. Some fingerprint locks take USB power from a power bank. If none of those apply, call us rather than prying at the keypad.

Often, once the landlord agrees. Retrofit locks such as the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and Level Bolt keep the exterior hardware and the landlord key exactly as they are, and come off at move-out. Full-replacement keypad locks change the outside of the door and usually need written approval.

All of them. We install Schlage Encode and Encode Plus, Yale Assure Lock 2, Kwikset Halo and SmartCode, August, Level, Ultraloq, Eufy and Lockly, whether you bought the lock or we supply it. Each brand has its own page with models, keyways and what to expect on install day.

With us it is a $49 service call plus $25 per cylinder, so most three-door homes come out around the low-to-mid $100s all in. Smart lock installs start at $149 in labor. See the pricing page for the full list.

No. The service call is charged once per visit and covers travel anywhere in San Diego County. Hardware, if needed, is quoted before we install it. The price we text you is the price you pay.

Usually, yes. We run same-day appointments across the county during business hours (Mon–Fri 7am–8pm · Sat–Sun 8am–6pm). Text your address and door count and we will give you the earliest window.

Payment is due on completion, after you have tested every door and key. Ask when booking if you need a particular payment method and we will confirm it with your quote. Landlords and property managers can arrange invoicing in advance.

There is no statewide California statute requiring rekeying between tenants, but Civil Code 1941.3 requires landlords to provide a deadbolt on main entry doors and working window locks, and rekeying at turnover is standard practice for safety and liability. This is general information, not legal advice.

Usually yes for your unit entry door, because it is owner-controlled, but many HOAs regulate exterior finish and appearance and some require approval. Common-area doors belong to the association. Check your CC&Rs first; our HOA guide covers the details.

Yes. Multi-unit turnovers, keyed-alike sets for owner access and master key systems for staff are quoted per building with one service call. Send us the unit count and lock brands for a written quote.

Yes. Property managers get batched turnover rekeys, keyed-alike units, master key systems and keypad locks, invoiced per property. Real estate agents can book a closing-day rekey for a client by sending the address, close date and door count, and we hand the keys only to the named buyer.