Residential service
Lock rekeying in Ottawa and area
Lock rekeying changes the pins inside a cylinder so old keys no longer work.
613.801.8531
Call 24/7 — we answer
Same day
Typical arrival in Ottawa
$25/lock
Typical starting price
Insured
Insured and bonded, 12+ years
How it works
Lock rekeying changes the pins inside a cylinder so old keys no longer work. Consequently you keep the existing hardware and get a fresh set of keys. Moreover it costs a fraction of replacement. Urban Locksmith rekeys most Ottawa homes in a single short visit.
- Step 1
Count your cylinders
Front, back, garage, shed. All of them.
- Step 2
Whole-house quote
Priced per lock, cheaper together.
- Step 3
Pins changed
Old keys stop working immediately.
- Step 4
New keys cut
Keyed alike if the keyways allow.
How lock rekeying actually works
Inside every cylinder sits a stack of pins cut to match one specific key. Rekeying replaces those pins with a different combination. Therefore the old key no longer aligns and stops working, while a new key does. Because the lock body, finish and strike all stay in place, nothing about the door changes visually. Consequently rekeying is quick, tidy and considerably cheaper than fitting new hardware.
When to rekey rather than replace
Rekey when the hardware is sound but the key situation has changed. Moving in, a departing tenant, a lost key, or a contractor who never returned one all qualify. By contrast, replace when the lock is worn, the finish is failing, or you want a higher security grade. Therefore Urban Locksmith inspects before recommending. Above all, a working deadbolt rarely needs throwing away.
Typical starting price
$25/lock
Considerably. That is generally the point of doing it.
Keying multiple doors alike
Most homes accumulate several different keys. Front, back, garage and shed often all differ. However, provided the cylinders share a keyway, they can all be keyed alike. Consequently one key opens everything. Furthermore, doing them together in one visit costs less than doing them separately. Naturally we check keyway compatibility first, because mismatched brands sometimes cannot be combined.
What lock rekeying costs in Ottawa
Rekeying is priced per cylinder, and the per-lock cost falls when several are done together. Consequently a whole house is usually cheaper than people expect. Additionally the quote includes travel across all 47 areas we cover. Urban Locksmith gives the full figure on the phone once we know how many cylinders are involved. Therefore there is no surprise at the door.
Questions about lock rekeying
Is rekeying as secure as a new lock?
Yes, provided the lock itself is sound. Because the pin combination changes entirely, old keys are useless.
How long does it take?
A few minutes per cylinder. Consequently most homes finish inside an hour.
Can all my doors use one key?
Usually, if the cylinders share a keyway. Therefore we check the brands first.
Do I get new keys?
Yes, cut on site. Moreover extra copies are inexpensive at the same visit.
Is rekeying cheaper than replacing?
Considerably. That is generally the point of doing it.
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Where we cover
Across Ottawa and every community within an hour’s drive — 47 areas in total, from downtown out to Kanata, Barrhaven, Carleton Place, Kemptville and Rockland. You get an honest arrival window on the phone rather than a number chosen to win the booking.