Smart locks
House lockouts
Re-keying
Deadbolt upgrades
Schlage
Kwikset
Car keys & fobsNon-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Get your free estimateTrusted Rekey Locks for Key Homeowners
You just got the keys to a new place in Key, or maybe a roommate moved out, or a set of keys went missing somewhere between the truck and the front door. Whatever the reason, you don’t need new locks. You need the existing locks rekeyed so the old keys stop working, and you need it done before you can sleep easy. Len Thornton has been handling Chandler Rekey Locks and rekey jobs across the Valley for years, and our team works on the hardware you actually have, from a basic Kwikset knob to a Mul-T-Lock deadbolt. Call (888) 455-7175 and we’ll walk you through what a rekey costs and how fast we can get to your place in Key.
Lock Rekey
Lock Rekey is the process of changing the internal pins in a lock cylinder so it operates on a new key, rendering every previous copy of the old key useless. You need it after moving into a new home, losing track of a spare key, ending a tenancy, or firing a contractor who had access. Thornton Lock & Key handles lock rekey jobs throughout Key, typically charging $65 to $120 for a standard single-cylinder rekey when you bring the lock to us, or $95 to $190 per lock for our mobile service that includes the trip, labor, and new keys.
Pins, Springs, and the Rekey Process
Inside every pin tumbler lock is a stack of springs and pins that match a specific key’s cuts. We pull the cylinder, swap the old pins for a new set matched to your new key, and reassemble. The lock itself never leaves the door.
Old Keys Stop Working Immediately
The moment we finish, every key that worked before becomes a paperweight. We hand you the new keys and test the lock in front of you, both directions, before we pack up.
Styles & brands we work with
Locksmith Rekey
Locksmith Rekey refers to hiring a trained locksmith, rather than attempting a hardware-store kit, to change the keying of your locks. The difference matters because a professional can rekey multiple locks to the same key, spot worn cylinders that need replacement, and handle high-security brands that big-box rekey kits don’t cover. Thornton Lock & Key sends a technician to your Key home with a full pinning kit, so the job is done right the first time, usually in 15 to 30 minutes per lock, at $95 to $190 per cylinder depending on the lock type.
Why Skip the Hardware Store Kit
Hardware store rekey kits only work on one brand, usually Kwikset or Schlage, and they fail the moment you have a Yale, Baldwin, or Medeco cylinder. We carry pins for all eight brands we service, so we rekey the lock you have, not the lock a kit assumes you own.
One Key for Every Door
A locksmith rekey lets you consolidate: front door, back door, side gate, and garage entry can all share one key. That means fewer keys on your ring and no fumbling at the door in the dark.
Rekey Door Lock
Rekey Door Lock service is what most Key homeowners call us for first: a single entry door that needs to work on a different key. Whether it’s a Baldwin handleset on the front door or a basic knob on a bedroom door, we remove the cylinder, repin it, and have it back in the door within minutes. Standard Sun Lakes Rekey Locks and door lock rekeys in Key run $95 to $150 for the first lock, with additional locks on the same visit typically $45 to $70 each, all with the new keys included.
Keep Your Existing Hardware
If the lock matches your home’s finish and style, or it’s a decorative Baldwin set, replacing it with a mismatched new lock is a downgrade. Rekeying keeps every visible piece exactly as it is while changing what key works.
Worn Cylinders Get Flagged
If we pull your cylinder and find worn pins, a sticky plug, or damage from a previous forced entry, we tell you before we proceed. We’ll rekey what’s serviceable and recommend replacement only when it genuinely needs it.
Rekey Service
Rekey Service from Thornton Lock & Key covers the whole job, not just the pin swap. We arrive with everything needed to rekey any residential lock in Key, cut the new keys on the spot, test every cylinder, and leave you with a receipt showing exactly what was done. Pricing for a rekey service call starts at $95 for the first lock and drops for each additional lock on the same visit, with no call-out surcharge added when we arrive, the price we quote on the phone is the price on the invoice.
Mobile Rekey at Your Door
We come to you, which is the whole point. You don’t disassemble anything, you don’t drive locks to a shop, and you don’t wait days. We handle the job at your Key home, usually in under an hour for three or four locks.
Same-Day Rekey Calls
Most rekey requests are urgent because someone moved in or a key went missing. We schedule same-day service in Key whenever possible, and our emergency line is available for after-hours rekey work when the situation can’t wait.
Keyed Alike
Keyed Alike is the term for configuring multiple locks so one key operates all of them. If your Key house has three exterior doors using three different keys, we can rekey all of them to a single key, which is the most common request we get from people who just bought a home. The cost is the per-lock rekey price, $95 to $150 for the first lock and $45 to $70 for each additional lock, plus any new keys we cut.
Reduce Keys Without Replacing Locks
Keyed alike doesn’t mean new hardware. Every lock on your doors can stay, we just pin each cylinder to the same key cuts. You keep your Schlage deadbolts and Baldwin handlesets and end up with one key that turns them all.
Master Keying for Rental Owners
If you own a rental property around Key, we can set up a master key system: each tenant gets a key that only works their unit, and you get a key that works all of them. It’s a practical upgrade that costs less than you’d expect.
Rekey Deadbolt
Rekey Deadbolt work focuses on the lock that actually keeps someone out, and it’s the one we recommend you prioritize after any security concern. A deadbolt rekey in Key costs the same as any standard cylinder, $95 to $150 for the first one, and it takes us about 10 to 15 minutes. The deadbolt’s internal cylinder gets new pins, and the old keys stop working entirely.
The Security Layer That Matters Most
Your knob or lever lock is a convenience lock. The deadbolt is your security lock. If you’re only rekeying one opening after losing a key, make it the deadbolt on every exterior door.
High-Security Deadbolt Pinning
Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy deadbolts use side pins, telescoping pins, or disc tumblers that take specialized knowledge to rekey. We work on these weekly, and we stock the exact pins each system requires, which is not something a generalist locksmith can say.
Rekey House
Rekey House service is the full-property job: every exterior door, plus any interior doors you want changed, rekeyed in a single visit to Key. Most homes have two to four exterior lock cylinders, which puts the typical cost between $140 and $400 depending on lock count and brand. We quote the full price on the phone before anyone is dispatched, and that number doesn’t change when we arrive.
What a Full Rekey Covers
Front door, back door, garage entry door, side gate, and any deadbolt on each. We’ll also rekey interior doors like a home office or a master bedroom if you want a separate key for those.
Do It Once, Do It All
Rekeying only the front door leaves the back door open to anyone who found that missing key. If you’ve moved into a new place in Key, or need Rekey Locks in Guadalupe, rekey the whole house. It’s the only way to know for sure that no old key works anywhere.
Brands We Service
We rekey Yale locks every week, and we know their residential and commercial lines well enough to pin everything from a standard Yale deadbolt to a commercial Yale mortise cylinder. Baldwin hardware tends to show up on higher-end Key homes, and we rekey those without scratching the finish or mangling the decorative trim, because the cylinder comes out the front with the right tools and training.
Mul-T-Lock and Sargent are a different conversation. Mul-T-Lock’s telescoping pins and dimple keys are a full high-security system that most locksmiths won’t touch without sending you to the dealer. Sargent mortise locks, common in older commercial spaces and some apartment buildings, need specific pin kits and a steady hand. We carry both on the truck. Whether you have a Yale deadbolt, a Baldwin handleset, a Mul-T-Lock cylinder, or a Sargent mortise lock, we can rekey it.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- You’ve moved into a new home in Key. You have no idea how many copies of the old key are floating around, and the previous owner’s cousin might still have one. Rekeying every exterior lock on day one removes that unknown completely.
- A key has gone missing. It doesn’t matter if it fell out of a pocket at a gas station or vanished from a kitchen drawer. Any lost key is a potential access point, and rekeying is faster and cheaper than worrying about who might find it.
- A roommate, tenant, or contractor has moved out. Even if the relationship ended fine, people forget to return keys, and people make copies. Rekeying means you never have to wonder.
- You’re carrying too many keys. Three different keys for three doors is a solvable problem. Keyed alike rekeying puts your whole Key home on one key, and it takes under an hour.
- You’ve had a break-in or an attempted break-in. If someone tried a door and you’re not sure how they got in or what they touched, rekey every exterior lock. It’s the cheapest security upgrade you can make after a scare.
If any of these sound familiar, call (888) 455-7175. We’ll tell you over the phone what a rekey should cost for your situation, and we’ll get someone to your Key home fast.
Our Process, Step by Step
Rekeying looks simple from the outside, and it’s our job to keep it that way. Here’s how a typical rekey job goes when you call Thornton Lock & Key.
- 1
You call and describe your locks. Tell us the brand if you know it, how many doors you have, and whether this is an emergency. We quote the full price on the phone, including trip, labor, and new keys.
- 2
We arrive with the right pins. Our truck carries pin kits for Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, and Sargent. We don’t show up and then drive off to get parts.
- 3
We remove and repin each cylinder. The lock stays in the door. We pull the cylinder, swap the pins, reassemble, and move to the next lock. Most cylinders take 10 to 15 minutes.
- 4
We test every lock in front of you. New key in, turn both directions, old keys confirmed dead. We check the deadbolt throw and the latch alignment while we’re there.
- 5
You get the new keys and a receipt. We hand you as many new keys as you want, cut on the spot, and give you a written receipt showing exactly what was done and what you paid.
If during the job we find a lock that’s too worn to rekey properly, we’ll show you the problem and give you a replacement price before doing anything. No surprises.
How Much Does Rekey Locks Cost in Key?
A typical rekey job in Key runs $95 to $150 for the first lock and $45 to $70 for each additional lock on the same visit, with new keys included. A full house rekey across three exterior doors usually lands between $185 and $290, depending on lock brand and whether any cylinders need replacing. Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios:
- Single door rekey: $95 to $150 for one knob or deadbolt, including the service call, repinning, and two new keys.
- Full house rekey (3-4 doors): $185 to $400 depending on how many cylinders and whether high-security brands like Mul-T-Lock or Medeco are involved.
- Keyed alike (multiple locks, one key): $95 to $150 for the first lock, $45 to $70 per additional lock.
- High-security cylinder rekey: $150 to $250 per cylinder for brands like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock, which require specialized pins and more time.
What affects the price: the number of locks, the brand of the locks, whether we need to cut more than two keys, and whether any cylinders are so worn they need replacing instead of repinning. What doesn’t affect it: no call-out surcharge, no “arrival fee” added after the fact, no bait-and-switch. The price you hear on the phone at (888) 455-7175 is the price on your invoice. Our estimates are free, and you’re never obligated to proceed.
Our Service Area Near Key
Thornton Lock & Key covers Key and the surrounding communities, including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and Queen Creek. Most rekey calls in the immediate Key area get same-day service, and our technicians are familiar with the housing stock across the region, from new builds in Sun Lakes to older homes in Guadalupe and Ahwatukee Foothills. If you’re just outside Key, check our home page to confirm coverage. We also offer Rekey Locks in Chandler, Rekey Locks in San Carlos, and Rekey Locks in Gilbert for neighbors across the East Valley. Same team, same upfront pricing, same brands on every truck.
Serving Key, AZ — Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Key area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage — if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rekey Locks in Key
Rekeying a lock means changing its internal pins so it works on a new key while the old keys stop working entirely. It’s different from replacing a lock because the existing hardware stays in the door, which saves you money and keeps the finish and style intact. For most Key homes, the job takes 15 to 30 minutes per lock. Call (888) 455-7175 for a free estimate on your specific locks.
Most standard residential locks take 10 to 15 minutes each once we’re on site, so a full house with three exterior doors is done in under an hour. High-security brands like Medeco and Mul-T-Lock can take a bit longer, around 20 to 30 minutes per cylinder. Same-day scheduling is available for most Key addresses, call us and we’ll give you a realistic window.
You’ll spend $95 to $150 for the first lock and $45 to $70 for each additional lock on the same visit, with new keys included. A typical full house rekey in Key runs $185 to $290 for three to four exterior doors. The exact quote depends on how many locks you have and what brand they are, and the estimate is free, call (888) 455-7175 before you commit.
Yes, we rekey all three plus Schlage, Kwikset, Medeco, Abloy, and Sargent. Yale and Baldwin are common on Key homes, and Mul-T-Lock’s high-security cylinders require specialized pins that we keep on the truck. If you have a Mul-T-Lock or Medeco deadbolt, don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be rekeyed, it absolutely can.
Yes, our emergency rekey service covers Key for after-hours situations where you can’t wait until morning, like a break-in or a lost key that leaves your home unsecured. We’ll come out on the emergency line and rekey your locks the same night. Call (888) 455-7175 and you’ll talk to a person, not a call center.
Our rekey work is backed by a workmanship guarantee on the repinning itself, so if anything fails related to the rekey, we’ll come back and make it right. New keys we cut on site are also covered if they bind or don’t turn smoothly. The lock’s original manufacturer warranty remains untouched since we don’t modify the housing.
Not much. Know how many doors you want rekeyed, have your old keys ready if you still have them, and let us know if you want all locks on one key or different keys for different doors. If you want more than two new keys, tell us when we’re there and we’ll cut them on the spot. That’s it, we handle everything else.
Schedule Your Rekey Locks Service in Key Today
You don’t need new locks. You need the locks you have working on keys only you control. Call (888) 455-7175 now and we’ll quote your rekey over the phone in a few minutes, no obligation, no pressure, and the number you hear is the number you’ll pay. Whether it’s one deadbolt or every door in the house, Len and the Thornton Lock & Key team will get it done right.