The truth about "best locksmith" claims
Why superlatives in locksmith ads mean nothing, and the handful of checks that actually protect you.
Read the articleWashington, DC locksmith line
Why you should rekey the locks when you move in
You got the keys at closing or from the leasing office. So did a surprising number of other people, at one time or another.
- Price quoted before work starts
- Written estimate on request
- Ask the locksmith for ID at the door
Count the people who could have had a key to a house or apartment before you. The previous owner and their family. A dog walker. A cleaner. Two or three contractors from the renovation. The listing agent, the stager, the home inspector, a neighbor who watered plants one August. In a rental, add every past tenant and whoever they lent a key to.
02 Part 1
Count the key holders
Most of those people are harmless. You still do not know who they are, and some of those keys were copied at a hardware counter years ago. Not knowing is the problem, and a rekey is the cure for it.
In the District the list gets longer. Rowhouses are often split into units and rejoined; condo buildings have management companies that change; English-basement apartments have had a string of tenants. The front door of a 1910 rowhouse in Petworth may have seen more key holders than anyone could count.
03 Part 2
What rekeying actually does
A pin-tumbler lock opens when the right key lifts a row of small pins to exactly the right heights. Rekeying means taking the cylinder apart and replacing those pins with a new set cut to a new key. Everything you can see on the door stays put. The old keys simply stop working.
Because the hardware stays, rekeying usually costs less than replacing the lock. It also lets you set every exterior door to one key, which is handy in a house with a front, back and basement door. The price list shows the starting figure for a rekey and the trip charge that goes with any visit.
04 Part 3
Rekey or replace?
Rekey when the locks are sound: they turn smoothly, the bolt throws fully, and you are happy with their quality.
Replace when a lock is loose in the door, worn to the point of sticking, or a light-duty model on an exterior door. Replace, too, if you want something the old lock cannot do, such as a keypad or a higher-security cylinder.
- Smooth, solid, decent brand: rekey.
- Wobbly, sticky or cheap: replace.
- Want keyless entry: replace with a smart or keypad lock, and keep a mechanical key.
A locksmith can tell you which applies to each door in a few minutes. Ask for the estimate per door before anything is taken apart.
05 Part 4
If you rent
Renters are in a different position, because the lock usually belongs to the landlord. Read the lease before touching anything. Many leases forbid changing locks without permission and require a copy of any new key.
Asking the landlord to rekey between tenants is reasonable, and many do it as a matter of course. If they will not, ask whether you can arrange and pay for a rekey yourself, on the condition that they get a key. Get the answer in writing. The residential page covers the options for apartments and basement units.
06 Part 5
Other times to rekey
Moving in is the obvious trigger, but not the only one. Rekey after a renovation, after a roommate or partner moves out, after you lose a key with your address on the ring, and after a house sitter or contractor has had a key for weeks. Small offices should rekey whenever someone with a key leaves; the commercial page explains how a simple key plan makes that cheaper.
Whatever the reason, test every new key in every lock before the locksmith leaves.
07 Questions
Questions readers ask
How long does a rekey take?
It depends on the number of locks and their type. Ask the dispatcher for an estimate when you call; a single standard cylinder is a short job.
Can I rekey a lock myself?
Kits exist for some brands, but it is fiddly and easy to get wrong. A mistake can leave a lock that will not open with any key.
Does a rekey work on smart locks?
Most smart locks have a mechanical cylinder as backup, and that cylinder can usually be rekeyed. Change the codes as well.
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