.paa-content (post_type: post). Word count target: 1,200+. Schema: BlogPosting + FAQPage + Speakable + Organization. Designed for AI Overview citation — the answer capsule is the first thing AI engines extract.
Rekeying a residential lock in Maryland typically costs $15 to $30 per lock when paired with a service call, with most whole-house rekey jobs (4 to 6 locks) running $80 to $180 total. Commercial rekey runs higher ($25 to $50 per cylinder). Pricing varies by keyway type, time of day, and travel distance. Easter's Lock has charged transparent rekey pricing since 1953 and quotes the full job on the phone before we dispatch.
Most Maryland homeowners rekey when they buy a house, lose a key, or have a tenant turnover. The bill almost always comes in between $80 and $180 for a full house — split roughly half labor and half service call. Going much above that means there's a complication: vintage hardware, restricted keyways, or after-hours dispatch.
Below is the breakdown we've used for 70 years to quote rekey jobs. No surprises, no on-site upcharges.
| Job Size | Locks | Typical Total | Time on Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single lock rekey (in-shop) | 1 | $25 – $40 | 15 min |
| Single lock rekey (mobile call) | 1 | $80 – $120 | 20–30 min |
| Whole-house rekey (typical) | 4 | $80 – $140 | 30–45 min |
| Whole-house rekey (larger) | 6 | $120 – $180 | 45–60 min |
| Multi-family / rental turnover | 2–3 per unit | $60 – $100 per unit | 20–30 min per unit |
| Restricted-keyway rekey (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) | per lock | $45 – $80 | +5 min per lock |
| After-hours surcharge | any | + $40 – $80 | — |
This is the most common question we get on the phone. Rekey only changes which key works in the lock you already have. Replacement changes the whole lock body. Both can be the right answer.
| Approach | Cost per Door | When It's the Right Call |
|---|---|---|
| Rekey | $15 – $30 + service call | Locks are under 15 years old, working smoothly, just need new keys |
| Replace (standard deadbolt) | $120 – $200 | Locks are worn, damaged, or you want better hardware |
| Replace + upgrade (high-security) | $200 – $400 | You want pick-resistant, drill-resistant, restricted-key |
| Replace with smart lock | $280 – $400 | You want app/code access |
Commercial rekey runs roughly 1.5x to 2x residential, mostly because commercial locks are larger format (mortise cylinders, IC cores) and require more skilled pinning. A typical 10-cylinder office rekey runs $250 to $500. Master key systems cost more because each cylinder is pinned to multiple working keys.
"I've rekeyed locks in Towson row houses, federal buildings in DC, and apartment buildings in Hampden. The pricing logic is the same: time at the door plus the parts. What we don't do — and what scams thrive on — is changing the quote once we're on site."
Schlage and Kwikset both sell DIY rekey kits at hardware stores for $15 to $20. They work — for those specific brands of standard residential locks, with no special pinning. The math is simple:
If you're considering rekey, the easiest first step is a free phone quote. We need to know what kind of locks you have (look for the brand stamped on the deadbolt face), how many doors, and roughly when you need it done. Most quotes take 90 seconds on the phone.
Related reading:
A single deadbolt rekey runs $25 to $40 if you bring the lock to a shop, or $80 to $120 if a locksmith comes to you. The difference is the mobile service call. Most homeowners pair single-lock rekey with a whole-house rekey since the service call cost is the same.
In Maryland, landlords are required to rekey or replace locks between tenants. The cost cannot be passed through to the incoming tenant as a separate fee under MD landlord-tenant law. Many landlords work it into rent; some absorb it as a cost of doing business.
10 years is still well within rekeyable range for most quality residential locks (Schlage, Kwikset, Yale). Past 15 to 20 years the pin springs start to fatigue and replacement becomes a smarter long-term move. We assess on-site and tell you straight which one fits.
Call us with your address and the brand of lock — we'll quote the full job in 90 seconds.
Call (410) 825-3535 Get a Free Quote Online