Rekey or Replace? What to Do With Your Locks After Moving In

Rekeying a lock means a trained locksmith changes the internal pin configuration of the existing lock cylinder so that the old key no longer works and a brand-new key — cut specifically for you — is the only one that operates it. The lock hardware itself stays in place. Replacing a lock means removing the entire unit and installing a new one, which may or may not come with better security features than what was already there. For a typical door knob lock on a residential front or back door, rekeying is the more practical starting point because the hardware is almost always in good working order — it just has a key history you don't control.

The calculation changes when the lock itself is worn, damaged, or simply not the right type for the door. If your new home has an older door knob lock with a loose cylinder, visible wear on the face plate, or a keyway that doesn't match the rest of your home's locks, replacement makes more sense. A qualified locksmith will look at the hardware with you and give you an honest assessment rather than defaulting to the more involved job.

Not all locks are created equal, and if your Guilford County home has a mortise lock — the style that fits into a deep rectangular pocket cut into the edge of the door rather than sitting in a round bore hole — the rekeying versus replacement discussion gets more nuanced. A mortise lock is a more complex assembly that integrates the latch, deadbolt, and sometimes a knob or lever into a single unit. Because of that complexity, both rekeying and replacement involve more labor and specialized knowledge than a standard door knob lock job.

The upside is that a properly functioning mortise lock is generally considered more robust than a basic cylindrical lock. If the one in your new home is in solid shape, rekeying the cylinder inside it gives you the same key control benefit at a lower scope of work than swapping out the entire mortise body. If the mortise lock is old, the internal cam is worn, or the faceplate doesn't sit flush in the door edge, a full replacement is the smarter long-term investment. Our experienced locksmiths handle mortise lock service regularly — it's one of our core specialties — and we carry parts suited to both older and newer mortise systems.

One of the most common questions we hear from Guilford County homeowners is some version of 'How much is a locksmith in North Carolina?' The honest answer is that a legitimate locksmith gives you a specific price before any work begins, not a vague range after the job is done. Several factors shape what that number looks like: the type and brand of lock involved (a Schlage or Kwikset door knob lock is priced differently than a high-security mortise lock or a smart lock), the number of locks being serviced, whether new hardware needs to be sourced, the time of day, and your location within our service area. We confirm an exact up-front price before we touch anything — that's a non-negotiable part of how we operate.

The same logic applies if you ever need emergency locksmith service. People often wonder how much an emergency locksmith will cost, or how much an emergency locksmith costs near them. Our after-hours and emergency calls account for the added urgency and travel, and those factors are reflected clearly in the quote you receive before work starts — never as a hidden charge added at the end. We believe you should make a calm, informed yes-or-no decision before we pick up a single tool.

Moving chaos is real, and new homeowners occasionally find themselves standing outside their own front door wondering what to do when locked out of the house. Before anything else: don't force the door. Forced entry almost always causes damage that costs more to fix than a locksmith call, and it can compromise the door frame in ways that reduce your security long-term. Instead, do a quick check — is there an unlocked side door, a garage entry, or a window you left cracked? Do you have a neighbor or family member holding a spare key? If you bought the home recently, does your real estate agent still have a copy? These are the first, low-effort answers to what to do if locked out of your house.

If none of those options pan out, calling a professional is the right move. A skilled locksmith can verify your ownership through ID and documentation, then use non-destructive techniques to get you back inside without damaging the lock or door. What to do if you get locked out of your house is not a complicated question — it's call a professional, verify your identity, and let them handle it cleanly. At Colfax Locksmith, we're mobile and available around the clock, so whether it's 2 p.m. after closing day or 2 a.m. when you realize you left your keys inside, you can call (631) 380-4138 and we'll be on our way.

New homeownership isn't the only time locks deserve a second look. If you're also a business owner in the Greensboro or Winston-Salem area, the same rekeying logic applies every time an employee with key access leaves your company. A commercial locksmith service addresses master key systems, high-security cylinder replacements, access control, and mortise lock installation on heavier commercial-grade doors — all of which go well beyond what a standard residential job involves. Our team handles both sides of that equation because we work with families and businesses across Guilford County every day.

Whether you need to rekey a single front door, upgrade a full commercial lock system, get back inside after a lockout, or have your car key or key fob serviced, Colfax Locksmith runs mobile units throughout the region and backs that up with a physical shop location for jobs that are better handled in-house. As a local, family-owned operation, we've built our reputation one Guilford County household and business at a time — and we plan to keep it that way. Call (631) 380-4138 any time, day or night — we answer 24/7 and are always ready to help.

Our team handles a wide range of lock and security needs, including: residential rekeying, mortise lock installation and repair, door knob lock replacement, deadbolt installation, smart lock setup and programming, high-security cylinder upgrades, master key system design, key duplication, emergency locksmith response, lockout service for homes and businesses, commercial lock rekeying, access control installation, panic bar and exit device service, safe opening and combination changes, mailbox lock replacement, garage door lock service, padlock removal, sliding door lock repair, window lock installation, car lockout service, automotive key cutting, transponder key programming, key fob replacement and programming, ignition repair and replacement, and broken key extraction from locks and ignitions. If you have a lock-related need not listed here, call us — chances are we've handled it before.