How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a House in Farmington, NM?
The cost to rekey a house in Farmington, NM is $80 to $130 per lock at Farmington Locksmith — the range Angi’s 2026 cost data shows for rekeying — and your exact price is quoted by phone before any work starts. Rekeying costs less than replacing your locks outright, since a locksmith only swaps the internal pins so your old keys stop working, instead of installing new hardware. The final total depends mainly on how many locks you rekey, the type of cylinder involved, and whether you need same-day or after-hours service.
If you’ve just moved into a home, lost track of a spare key, or ended a relationship where someone else still has a copy, rekeying is usually the first thing a locksmith will suggest before jumping to full replacement. Here’s what actually goes into that price, and how to think about whether rekeying is the right move for your situation.
What Rekeying Actually Means
Rekeying doesn’t touch the outside of your lock at all. A locksmith opens the cylinder, swaps the small pins inside to match a new key, and hands you fresh keys that work with your existing hardware. Anyone holding an old key, whether it’s a previous tenant, a contractor, or someone who moved out, is locked out the moment the pins change. The deadbolt, the knob, the finish on your door, none of that changes. Only what opens it does.
This is different from lock repair and rekey work, which can also involve fixing a lock that’s sticking, misaligned, or physically worn in addition to changing the pins.
What Actually Drives the Final Price
How many locks need new pins
Most homes have somewhere between two and five exterior locks once you count the front door, back door, garage entry, and maybe a side gate. Locksmiths typically charge per lock, so a single deadbolt costs less than rekeying the whole house in one visit. Many will also offer a small discount when several locks are done together, since it’s one trip and one setup.
Standard vs. high-security cylinders
A basic Kwikset or Schlage-style residential cylinder is quick to rekey. Locks with restricted keyways, patented key control, or high-security cylinders take more time and sometimes specialized pins, which pushes the price up.
Whether the locksmith comes to you
Mobile service means a technician drives to your address instead of you removing hardware and bringing it to a shop. That convenience is usually baked into the quoted price rather than billed as a separate line item, but it’s worth asking upfront so there are no surprises.
Timing
A scheduled daytime appointment is almost always cheaper than a same-night emergency call. If a lock isn’t urgent, booking a normal-hours visit is the more budget-friendly option.
Rekeying vs. Replacing a Lock
These get confused often, and the price difference is one of the main reasons to know which one you actually need.
| Rekeying | Replacing |
|---|---|
| Keeps your existing hardware | New lock hardware installed |
| Old keys stop working immediately | Old keys stop working immediately |
| Lower cost, less labor | Higher cost, more labor |
| Good option when hardware is in working condition | Necessary when a lock is damaged, outdated, or you want to upgrade |
If your current lock functions fine and just needs new keys tied to it, rekeying gets the same security result for less money. If the lock itself is worn out, was forced during a break-in attempt, or you want to move to a smart lock, replacement is the better call, and our residential locksmith services cover both.
When Rekeying Makes Sense
- You just bought or moved into a home and don’t know who else has keys
- A roommate, tenant, or ex-partner moved out
- You lost a key and aren’t sure where it ended up
- You want every door in the house to open with one key
- A contractor or cleaner had temporary access and the job is finished
How Many Locks Should You Rekey?
The general rule is every exterior entry point, not just the front door. A back door or garage entry with an old key still active defeats the purpose of rekeying the front. Most locksmiths can also key every lock in the house to a single new key during the same visit, so you’re not juggling separate keys for the front door, back door, and garage.
What to Expect When You Call
A straightforward process looks like this:
- You describe the locks involved (how many, what brand if you know it) over the phone
- The locksmith gives you a price before anyone is dispatched
- A technician arrives, rekeys the cylinders on site, and hands you new keys
- You test every lock before the technician leaves
Most residential rekeying jobs take well under an hour once the technician is on site, though that varies with the number of locks and their condition.
A Few Practical Notes for Farmington Homeowners
Because this is mobile service, you’re not removing hardware or driving anywhere, a technician comes to the house. Getting the price locked in over the phone before dispatch also means you’re not stuck negotiating once someone is already standing at your door. The price you agree on the phone is the price you pay when the work is done.
If the issue is more urgent than a normal-hours rekey (say, you’re locked out right now), that’s a different service call. Urgent lockout service is available separately from scheduled rekeying. Business owners weighing the same rekey-vs-replace decision for an office or storefront can find more detail on our commercial locksmith services page, since master key systems change the math a bit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rekeying cheaper than replacing a lock?
Yes, in almost every case. Rekeying reuses your existing hardware and only changes the internal pins, so the labor and parts involved are less than installing a brand new lock.
Can all my locks be rekeyed to use one key?
Usually, yes, as long as the cylinders are compatible with each other. A locksmith can typically key your front door, back door, and garage entry to a single key during one visit.
How long does rekeying a house take?
Most residential jobs are finished in under an hour once a technician arrives, though the exact time depends on how many locks are involved and their condition.
Should I rekey after buying a new home?
It’s one of the most common reasons homeowners call. You have no way of knowing how many keys are floating around from previous owners, agents, or contractors, so rekeying closes that gap.
Do locksmiths charge more for rekeying at night?
Scheduled daytime appointments are typically less expensive than same-night or emergency calls, simply because of the urgency involved rather than the rekeying work itself.
Ready to Get Your Home Rekeyed?
Call for a price over the phone before anyone is dispatched. Mobile service across Farmington and the surrounding area, available 24 hours a day.
Call (505) 542-7424
