Someone left your business. Maybe they quit. Maybe you let them go. Either way, they may still have a key. Or a copy of a key. You don't know.
You have three choices: rekey, replace, or switch to key cards. Here's how to pick.
Rekey: the fast, low-cost fix
Rekeying keeps your locks. We change the small pins inside. Old keys stop working. New keys work. Your locks look the same.
Rekey when:
- Your locks work fine.
- You just need old keys to stop working.
- You want it done in one visit.
Rekeying costs much less than new locks. For most businesses, this is the right first move.
Replace: when the lock is the problem
Sometimes the lock itself is the problem. Then a rekey is a waste of money.
Replace when:
- The lock is loose, sticky, or hard to turn.
- The key only works if you jiggle it.
- The lock is cheap or old and easy to break.
- You want a stronger, commercial-grade lock.
Key cards: when this keeps happening
If people come and go a lot, you'll keep paying to rekey. Key cards or fobs fix that. When someone leaves, you turn off their card from your phone. It takes seconds. No locksmith visit.
Key cards make sense when:
- You rekey more than once a year.
- Many people need to get in.
- You want to see who came in and when.
- You have more than one location.
Stop the next copy before it happens
A normal key can be copied at almost any hardware store. A restricted key can't. Only an approved locksmith can cut it, and only with your OK. Pair a rekey with restricted keys, and an ex-worker can't walk out with a spare again.
Don't forget these doors
- Back doors and side doors
- Storage rooms and cages
- Office and safe-room doors
- Gates and padlocks
One missed door is all it takes.
What we'd do
Most of the time: rekey today, then think about key cards if it keeps happening. If any lock is worn out, replace that one. You get the price before we start.
Need it done? Send us a message or call (682) 324-6688. We call back the same business day.
Quick answers
Is rekeying cheaper than new locks?
Yes. Rekeying keeps your locks and only changes the pins inside, so it costs much less than buying and installing new locks.
How long does a rekey take?
Most small business rekeys are done in one visit. Bigger buildings with many doors take longer. You get the price and time before we start.
Can an ex-employee copy a restricted key?
No. Restricted keys can only be cut by an approved locksmith with the owner's permission, so a hardware store can't copy them.