Rekeying Locks is a straightforward and highly effective way to enhance security without the cost of installing entirely new hardware. Instead of replacing the lock, a locksmith simply adjusts its internal pins so that old keys no longer work. This ensures that only newly cut keys can access your property, giving you immediate peace of mind.
In Melbourne, where rental turnovers and property sales are frequent, rekeying has become a practical solution for homeowners, landlords, and tenants. For more on your rights and responsibilities around locks and property safety, visit Consumer Affairs Victoria – Locks and Security.
Beyond affordability and convenience, Rekeying Locks also provides a security upgrade that fits seamlessly into everyday life. It allows property owners to take control of access, preventing previous occupants, contractors, or misplaced keys from becoming potential risks. For many, it’s the quickest and most reliable step toward ensuring their home remains safe.
What is Rekeying Locks?
Rekeying a lock means swapping its internal workings while keeping the lock itself. In practice, a locksmith removes the cylinder, replaces the existing pin-and-spring set with new ones, and then reassembles the lock. The result? Your old keys stop working and you get a fresh key that’s the only one to fit.
The lock looks the same from the outside, but it’s now keyed differently. You don’t have to buy a new lockset or drill new holes – it’s cheaper and less disruptive. One locksmith article likens rekeying to “changing the combination on a safe, but without needing to replace the whole safe”. In short, rekeying locks in Melbourne updates your security quietly and efficiently.
Why Rekeying Locks in Melbourne is a Smart Move
Rekeying offers several advantages over panic-buying new locks. Here are the key reasons savvy Melburnians often choose rekeying:
- Cost-Effective: Rekeying is usually much cheaper than buying and installing new locks. You’re only paying for the labor and small parts, not a whole new lockset. For example, a Melbourne locksmith notes it “typically costs 30–50% less” to rekey a lock than to replace it entirely. On a budget? Rekeying is your friend.
- Fast & Convenient: Need quick security? Rekeying can often be done on the spot in one visit. The process takes under an hour for most standard locks, with no need to swap out door hardware. Compare that to replacing a lock, which may involve drilling, hardware shopping, and more time. Rekeying saves you the hassle and lets you carry on with your day.
- Keeps Your Locks: If you love your door handles or have high-quality deadbolts, rekeying lets you keep them. Instead of throwing away perfectly good hardware, you simply reuse the lock and make it work with a new key. This is great if your current locks match your style or are high-security models. Why junk them when a pin-tweak will do?
- Privacy & Peace of Mind: Losing a key or moving into a home means wondering who still has old copies. Rekeying instantly renders those copies useless. Only the new key will open the door. That’s a big security win – it’s like starting from zero with key control. Melbourne locals especially value this peace of mind in city life.
- One-Key Convenience: Ever juggle five keys just to enter your home? Rekeying can often key all your locks alike, so one key works on multiple doors. It’s a small luxury – fewer jangling keys in your pocket – but a handy one.
- Eco-Friendly Choice: Finally, reusing locks is greener. Instead of tossing old locks to landfill, rekeying keeps them in service. It’s a simple way to reduce waste while still upgrading security.
Many of these points come directly from industry experts. For instance, Top Pick Locksmiths (Australia) highlights that rekeying is like a quick “peace of mind” switch – cheaper and faster than replacing. In short, rekeying locks in Melbourne gives you an upgraded home security system without breaking the bank or breaking your aesthetic.
Rekeying vs Replacing: What’s Right for You?
It’s helpful to compare rekeying and replacing. The table below sums up the difference:
| Factor | Rekeying Locks | Replacing Locks |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower – just labor and pins | Higher – need new hardware and installation |
| Time & Convenience | Fast – usually under 1 hour for a pro | Slower – new lock fitting, drilling may be needed |
| When to Use It | Lost keys, new tenants, break-ups, or move-in | Lock is broken, outdated, or you want a new style |
| Security | Secure (new key only works) | Very secure – you can upgrade to high-tech locks |
| Key Control | Can “key alike” locks for 1 key on many doors | Usually each lock has its own key |
As these experts note, rekeying keeps your existing lock but gives you a fresh set of keys. It’s great if the lock itself is in good shape. Replacing means a brand-new lockset – necessary if your lock is old, damaged, or you want features like a digital keypad or smart lock. In many Melbourne homes, though, rekeying is enough to “boost security without replacing the locks”.
The bottom line: if your old locks are solid and you mostly worry about who has keys, rekeying is usually smarter. If your deadbolt is rusty or you crave a fancy upgrade, replacing might win. You’ll often see locksmiths say: rekey for lost keys or moving in, replace for broken or very old locks.
When to Rekey Your Locks
Knowing when to rekey can save trouble later. Typical scenarios include:
- New Home or Tenant: Just moved? You have no idea how many spare keys are out there. Rekey when moving into a new place to instantly control who can enter.
- After Breakups or Rifts: If a flatmate or partner left on bad terms, don’t gamble. Rekeying ensures they cannot use their old key to barge in.
- Lost or Stolen Keys: Lost your front-door key or it vanished during a night out? Instead of panic, rekey. That lost key becomes worthless immediately.
- Post-Burglary: Even if your door locks weren’t picked, a break-in is a red flag. Rekey the locks (or better, upgrade) right away to feel secure again.
- Too Many Spare Keys: If you’ve handed out keys left and right (cleaners, gardeners, friends), at some point you lose track. A rekey is a clean slate: only your new key works.
These situations highlight why rekeying locks in Melbourne is often recommended. It’s a quick reset that suits many common Melbourne living situations – new flatmates, airbnb guests, or simply the busy city shuffle. If ever in doubt who has keys, rekeying locks is the safest choice.
How Rekeying Works (Step by Step)
What actually happens during a rekeying? Here’s a casual rundown:
- Locksmith Arrives: A licensed locksmith (required in Victoria) comes to your door.
- Remove the Cylinder: They unscrew the doorknob or deadbolt and pull out the lock cylinder. Think of this as taking the lock “engine” out.
- Swap the Pins: Inside the cylinder are tiny pins that match your old key. The locksmith takes them out and puts in a new set of pins that match a new key. It’s a bit like pulling out a puzzle piece and swapping it with a new one.
- Test with New Key: The new key is inserted, and voila – only it will turn. The old keys won’t budge the lock any more. They then reassemble the lock in the door.
- Confirm Security: Finally, they test the lock (sometimes with multiple keys if you’re “keying alike” several locks) to make sure everything is smooth.
An image below shows a locksmith at work during this process. Notice how he’s carefully handling the lock cylinder – it’s delicate work.
It’s a straightforward mechanical job, but not typically a DIY one. As one expert warns, DIY rekeying kits exist, “but if you don’t have the right tools or experience, it’s easy to get it wrong… You don’t want to end up locked out of your own house”. Plus, Melbourne and Victoria require locksmiths to hold security licenses for good reason. Hiring a pro means you’ll get an official key cutting and don’t inadvertently ruin the lock.
Cost of Rekeying Locks in Melbourne
How much does rekeying actually cost? Here are some ballpark figures (quoted in Australian dollars):
- Single Lock: Typically about $35–$60 for one lock during normal business hours. If you remove the lock and drop it off, the price can be a bit lower (maybe $20–$30).
- Multiple Locks: Doing 2 or 3 locks in the same visit is more efficient. A package deal might be around $100–$150 for three locks, rather than paying full price for each.
- High-Security Locks: Special locks (Secure6, restricted keys, mortise locks) can cost more (often over $60 per lock) because they have complex pins. Still, that’s usually cheaper than installing new high-end locks.
- Emergency Calls: Rekeying late at night or on holidays? Expect a big surcharge. Many locksmiths tack on $100–$300 extra for after-hours service. (In Melbourne, a midnight call-out can double or triple the cost.)
- Licenses & Extras: Licensed locksmiths might charge slightly higher fees than a cut-price handyman, but you get guaranteed quality work.
In practice, you’ll find rekeying is very cost-effective compared to replacement. As a Melbourne rekeying guide notes, “for 3 standard locks you might pay roughly $150–$250 total” including any call-out fee. Always ask your local locksmith for an estimate. But yes – typically less than $60 per lock and done in under an hour.
Quick Table: Rekeying Costs
| Service | Cost (Melbourne) |
|---|---|
| Rekey 1 lock (normal hrs) | ~$35–$60 per lock |
| Rekey 3 locks (package) | ~$100–$150 total |
| After-hours surcharge | +$100–$300 extra |
(Prices are indicative. Contact a licensed local locksmith for quotes tailored to your situation.)
Conclusion
Securing your home doesn’t have to be complex. In fact, rekeying locks in Melbourne is one of the easiest security upgrades you can do. For a relatively small investment of time and money, it instantly voids old keys and gives you a fresh set – whether you’ve lost keys, moved into a new place, or just want a safety reset.
We’ve covered how rekeying works, why it’s so practical (cheap, fast, keeps your nice locks), and when it makes sense. By now you should see why many Melbourne homeowners and renters consider rekeying a no-brainer. It hits that sweet spot of being both smart and simple.
So what’s next? If any scenario above sounds familiar (moving, lost keys, etc.), consider calling a reputable local locksmith and asking about rekeying. It’s often done the same day you call. A quick chat could lock down your security and help you sleep easier at night.
At the very least, keep an eye on the neighborhood, lock doors and windows (as Victoria Police advises), and remember that sometimes the simplest fixes are the best. Rekeying locks in Melbourne is not about bells and whistles – it’s about peace of mind, done the easiest way. After all, you deserve to feel safe in your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is rekeying?
It’s when a locksmith changes the inside of your lock so a new key works and the old keys don’t. The lock stays on your door; it just takes a different key.
Rekeying vs replacing locks – which is better?
Rekeying keeps the old hardware but uses a new key. Replacing puts in a whole new lock. Rekeying is usually quicker and cheaper, while replacing is needed if the lock is damaged or you want an upgrade.
How long does rekeying take?
For most standard doors, a locksmith can rekey a lock in under an hour. If you have many locks, they often do them all on the same visit.
How much does it cost in Melbourne?
Roughly $35–$60 per lock during business hours. Many pro locksmiths offer deals (e.g. ~$100–$150 to rekey 3 locks). After-hours or specialized locks will be more expensive.
Is rekeying as secure as installing new locks?
Yes – as long as the existing lock is in good condition, rekeying gives equivalent security. Only your new key will open the door. New locks add technology, but rekeying alone keeps unwanted keys out.