Rekeying or replacing locks costs $40 to $500 per lock or job in 2026
Rekeying or replacing locks costs $40 to $500 per lock or job in 2026. Bob Vila says a locksmith visit averages $156, with a range of $97 to $215. HomeGuide lists $95 to $270 to rekey a house with three doors. ThePricer lists $50 to $130 to rekey one lock. Replacing a lock costs more than rekeying, and a trip charge adds to most bills.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists a service call at $50 to $150, rekeying a house of three doors at $95 to $270, changing locks at $150 to $500 per lock, and a lockout at $75 to $200 or more. |
| ThePricer | ThePricer lists rekeying at $50 to $130 per lock, five locks at $174 to $274 with the service call, lock replacement at $100 to $300 or more per door, and a home lockout at $75 to $200 or more. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila says rekeying costs $40 to $100 plus the new lock at $15 to $40 and a trip charge of $50 to $100, and the national average bill is $156, with a range of $97 to $215. |
Lock rekey and replacement prices
| Job | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rekey one lock | $50 to $130 | ThePricer |
| Rekey one lock, labor | $40 to $100 | Bob Vila |
| Rekey a house with three doors | $95 to $270 | HomeGuide |
| Rekey five locks, service call included | $174 to $274 | ThePricer |
| Change a lock, per lock | $150 to $500 | HomeGuide |
| Replace a lock, per door | $100 to $300 or more | ThePricer |
| Locksmith service call | $50 to $150 | HomeGuide |
| Home lockout | $75 to $200 or more | ThePricer |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Rekey or replace | Rekeying changes the inside pins so old keys stop working. HomeGuide lists $95 to $270 for three doors and $150 to $500 to change a lock. |
| Number of locks | Each lock adds to the bill, but the trip charge is paid once. ThePricer lists $174 to $274 for five locks, with the service call included. |
| Trip charge | Most locksmiths bill for the visit. HomeGuide lists a service call at $50 to $150, and Bob Vila lists a trip charge of $50 to $100. |
| Time of day | Night and weekend calls cost more. Bob Vila lists $50 to $100 an hour at normal times and $150 to $250 an hour after hours. |
| Lock type | A deadbolt and a car lock are priced apart from a basic door lock. HomeGuide lists a deadbolt install at $100 to $350 or more per lock. |
What the price includes
A rekey price normally covers the locksmith's time, new pins matched to a new key, and a test of the lock. A trip charge may be on top. New keys, new lock hardware, and an emergency fee often cost extra. Bob Vila says rekeying runs $40 to $100 plus the cost of any new lock, which it lists at $15 to $40. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Some people rekey a lock with a kit from a store. It can work on a basic lock if you are handy and have the right key. A mistake can leave a lock that sticks, jams, or will not turn, and then you pay a locksmith anyway. A pro can also check the whole door and the deadbolt, and set every lock to one key. If you rekey after a move or a lost key, a locksmith visit is often worth it, since you get tested work and a price in writing.
How to tell you need it
You may need a rekey when you move into a new home, lose a key, end a roommate or renter stay, or fear that someone still has a copy. You may need a new lock when it is broken, worn, rusty, or hard to turn, or when you want a stronger deadbolt. If a key sticks or a lock jams, call a locksmith before it fails.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote include the trip charge, the labor, and any new keys?
- Is the price per lock, or for all of your locks?
- Is it a normal hours price or an after hours price?
- Is the quote in writing, and does the locksmith show ID?
- Compare the total with the range above: $40 to $500 per lock or job for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Rekey instead of replace when the locks still work. Bob Vila lists rekeying at $40 to $100, while HomeGuide lists changing a lock at $150 to $500.
- Rekey all your locks in one visit. The trip charge, $50 to $150 on HomeGuide, is paid once instead of many times.
- Call during normal hours when you can. Bob Vila lists $50 to $100 an hour at normal times and $150 to $250 an hour after hours.
- Call two or three local locksmiths and ask for the total in writing. Bob Vila's range of $97 to $215 shows how far quotes can differ.
- Ask for the trip charge and the price per lock before the locksmith leaves for your home, so the bill holds no surprises.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Most locksmiths add a trip charge of $50 to $150 to the lock work, so in 2026 a one lock job can cost more than the lock work alone.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, ThePricer and Bob Vila. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rekey a lock?
Bob Vila lists $40 to $100 plus the cost of any new lock and a trip charge of $50 to $100. ThePricer lists $50 to $130 per lock.
How much does it cost to rekey a whole house?
HomeGuide lists $95 to $270 for three doors. ThePricer lists $174 to $274 for five locks, with the service call included.
Is rekeying cheaper than replacing locks?
Usually, yes. HomeGuide lists changing locks at $150 to $500 per lock, while rekeying a house with three doors is $95 to $270.
How much is a locksmith for a lockout?
HomeGuide and ThePricer both list a home lockout at $75 to $200 or more.
What is the average locksmith bill?
Bob Vila says $156 on average, with most bills from $97 to $215. HomeGuide says a typical total at normal hours is $100 to $300.