How Long Does Rekeying All the Locks in a House Take?

11 Sep How Long Does Rekeying All the Locks in a House Take?

A single door lock takes a professional locksmith roughly 10 to 30 minutes to rekey, and a typical Tulsa, Oklahoma home with four to six exterior locks is finished in about one to two hours, including cutting the new keys. That is the practical answer to “how long does rekeying all the locks in a house take,” and it surprises people who expected an all-day project. The exact figure moves up or down depending on how many locks you have, whether they are all the same brand, whether you want every door on one key, and how much wear the cylinders have picked up over the years.

This article explains what happens during those minutes, what stretches the timeline, how rekeying compares to full replacement, and when scheduling the job matters most.

What Actually Happens When a Lock Is Rekeyed

Inside a standard door lock is a cylinder with a row of spring-loaded pins. When the correct key slides in, its cuts push every pin stack to the exact height of the shear line, and the cylinder turns. UC Irvine’s course notes on the pin tumbler mechanism describe this shear-line principle in detail. Rekeying swaps those pins for a new set matched to a new key. The old key no longer lifts the pins to the right height, so it stops working, while the lock body, the deadbolt, and the door hardware all stay in place.

The locksmith removes the knob or deadbolt cylinder, pulls the plug, replaces the pins, and reassembles the lock. This Old House’s overview of rekeying makes the same point: it is a change to the internals, not the hardware, which is why it is faster and less invasive than replacement. Our own walkthrough of rekeying goes deeper into the pin-swap process if you want to see each step.

How Long Does Rekeying All the Locks in a House Take? A Realistic Timeline

For planning purposes, the numbers below reflect what a professional locksmith typically needs on site. They assume standard residential knobs and deadbolts in working condition.

In plain terms: one standard lock takes 10 to 30 minutes. A whole house with four to six exterior locks takes one to two hours, keyed alike if requested, with new keys cut. A house with mixed brands takes two hours or more because each brand needs its own pin kit, or cylinders have to be swapped so everything can share one key. Worn, older, or high-security cylinders add 15 to 30 minutes per lock. A do-it-yourself rekey with a retail kit typically takes a first-timer most of a day, which Family Handyman describes as a full-day project.

Five Things That Change the Timeline

The first factor is the count. A small home with a front door, back door, and garage entry is a very different job from a house with a detached shop, a pool gate, a side door, and a storm door with its own lock. Walk your property and count every keyed cylinder before you call.

The second is brand mix. Kwikset, Schlage, and other manufacturers use different keyways, so a key cut for one will not enter the other. If you want every door on a single key, the locksmith either pins each brand to its own key or replaces cylinders so they match. That decision alone can add or save an hour.

The third is condition. Locks that have been on a door since the 1990s often have worn pins, dried grease, and springs that need cleaning or replacing. Older homes in established Tulsa neighborhoods are more likely to have this issue than newer construction.

The fourth is security grade. Locks certified under the ANSI/BHMA standards, which the ANSI blog explains in its guide to BHMA grades, can include restricted keyways or security pins that take more care to rekey. Smart locks and keypad deadbolts that still have a keyed cylinder can usually be rekeyed too, but the electronics have to be removed and reinstalled carefully.

The fifth is key cutting. Rekeying creates a new key combination, so the locksmith cuts your new keys on site. Ordering four copies instead of two adds a few minutes, and it is worth doing while the machine is already set up.

Rekey or Replace: Which Takes Longer?

Replacing a lock means removing the entire assembly and installing new hardware, which involves aligning the latch, strike plate, and bore. Bob Vila’s guide to replacement contrasts the two and notes that rekeying is the quicker, less expensive option when the hardware is in good condition, while replacement is the right call when a lock is damaged, corroded, or simply low quality. In time terms, a full replacement on one door can take as long as rekeying three doors, so if your locks work smoothly, rekeying wins on both the clock and the budget.

When to Schedule It

The most common reason to rekey every lock at once is a move. Previous owners, contractors, cleaners, and neighbors may all still hold copies. The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ burglary data shows that a large share of household burglaries are committed by someone the household knows, not a stranger, which is exactly the risk an unaccounted-for key creates. Other triggers include a lost key ring, a roommate or tenant moving out, a divorce or separation, or a break-in attempt. In each case, the one-to-two-hour window fits comfortably into a single morning or afternoon appointment.

Why Choose Tulsa Lock & Key for Whole-House Rekeying

The reason a whole-house rekey in Tulsa, Oklahoma finishes in one to two hours rather than half a day is preparation. Tulsa Lock & Key asks for your lock count and brands when you book, so the technician arrives with the correct pin kits and key blanks already in the van, and the cylinder-swap decision for mixed-brand homes is made before the first door comes apart, not discovered halfway through. Whole-house rekeying is part of the residential locksmith services the company has offered across Tulsa since 1985, which means its technicians recognize the older hardware common in midtown and east Tulsa houses and carry the parts to service it on the spot. Rekeying is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to secure your doors, and the team explains the keyed-alike option and any replacement recommendation without upselling. Estimates are free, and the shop is open Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5:30PM.

Moving in, moving on, or missing a key? Call or contact Tulsa Lock & Key for a free estimate on rekeying every lock in your home.

Conclusion

Rekeying all the locks in a house takes about one to two hours for a typical home, with each lock needing 10 to 30 minutes plus a few minutes to cut new keys. Mixed brands, worn cylinders, and high-security hardware add time, while a keyed-alike setup can save you from carrying a ring full of keys afterward. Compared with replacing every lock, rekeying is faster, cheaper, and just as effective at locking out old keys, which is why it is the standard recommendation after a move or a lost key.

Want every door on one key by this weekend? Contact Tulsa Lock & Key to book a free consultation and a same-week rekey appointment in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to rekey a lock?

A professional locksmith typically rekeys a standard residential lock in 10 to 30 minutes. The time covers removing the cylinder, swapping the pins, reassembling the lock, and cutting and testing a new key. Worn or high-security cylinders take longer.

How long does it take to rekey all the locks in a house?

Most homes with four to six exterior locks are rekeyed in one to two hours. Homes with more doors, mixed lock brands, or older hardware can take two hours or more.

Can all my locks be rekeyed to one key?

Yes, as long as the locks share the same keyway, usually meaning the same brand. If they do not, a locksmith can swap cylinders so every door accepts a single key.

Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?

Rekeying is almost always cheaper because the existing hardware stays on the door and only the pins and keys change. Replacement makes sense when a lock is damaged, worn out, or low quality.

Should I change the locks when I buy a new house?

Yes. Previous owners, agents, and contractors may still hold keys. Rekeying every exterior lock right after closing ensures only your household has working keys.