Lock Rekeying in Portland, OR

Who else has a key to your front door? After buying a house, ending a lease or losing a key ring, most people cannot answer that with any certainty. Rekeying settles the question. We change the pins inside the locks you already own so the old keys stop working, then cut a new set that does. The hardware stays on the door, so you keep the finish and the fit. Locksmith Near You rekeys locks in Portland homes, rentals and businesses, with the work done at your door.

Common Reasons Portland Customers Rekey

• Moving into a house, condo or apartment while the last owner’s keys are still out there
• A tenant, roommate or employee leaving with a key
• A lost or stolen key ring
• Wanting one key for the front door, back door and garage entry
• Contractors, cleaners or sitters who no longer need access

What Happens During a Rekey

The technician takes the cylinder out of the lock and removes the plug, the part that turns with the key. Inside are small stacks of pins set to match your current key. We replace them with a new combination, reassemble the cylinder and cut keys to match from the van. Each door is tested with the new key before we move on, and the old key is tried as well, so you can see for yourself that it no longer turns. A typical house with a front door, a back door and a garage entry is finished in one visit.

When a Rekey Is Not Enough

Rekeying changes who can open a lock. It does not fix a worn latch, a deadbolt that has to be forced into the strike, or a builder-grade lock you were planning to upgrade anyway. If the lock is damaged or the door was forced, replacement is the right call, and a Grade 1 deadbolt or a smart lock can go in on the same visit. Smart locks with a key cylinder can be rekeyed too, which keeps the backup key in line with the rest of the house. For the full range of home lock work, see our residential locksmith service in Portland.

One Key for Every Door

Keying alike means setting several locks to the same combination so a single key opens all of them. It works when the locks share a keyway, for example all Schlage or all Kwikset. A house that mixes brands can often still end up on one key by swapping a cylinder or two. We can also rekey your locks to an existing key you want to keep. Older Portland houses with original mortise locks need a little more care, since those cylinders thread into the lock body, but most can be rekeyed as well. Our guide to mortise locks in older homes explains what is worth saving.

Rekeying for Landlords and Businesses

Tenant turnovers and staff changes are where rekeying earns its place. Between tenants, a rekey resets access without buying new hardware for every unit. After an eviction has been carried out, owners and property managers usually want the locks rekeyed the same day, and we do that once we see proof that you own or manage the property. For offices and storefronts, we rekey after an employee leaves, and when owners, managers and staff need different levels of access, a master key system is the next step. Our commercial locksmith team in Portland designs and installs those systems.

Before Your Appointment

• Count the locks you want on the new key, including the garage entry, side gate padlock and any storm door
• Gather every key you still have for those locks
• Decide how many new keys you need for family, tenants or staff

You hear the price on the phone before anyone is dispatched. Our certified locksmith number is #6784OCLS, and rekeying labor carries a 90-day warranty. Need a few more copies later? Our key duplication service in Portland cuts them on site.

Ready to Retire the Old Keys?

Call (971) 257-4730 with the number of locks and the address, and we will schedule a rekey in Portland. You can also send the details through our contact page.