Does Home Depot Rekey Locks in 2024? [Price & Alternatives]

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to rekey your locks? It can be a hassle trying to find a reliable and convenient solution. But what about Home Depot? Can you rely on them to rekey your locks?

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to secure your home, you might wonder: does Home Depot rekey locks? The answer is yes! Home Depot offers a rekeying service for most types of locks, including deadbolts, knobs, levers, and handle sets. Rekeying is a process that changes the internal pins of a lock so that it can only be opened with a new key. This way, you can keep your existing hardware and avoid the hassle of replacing the whole lock.

Rekeying is an excellent option if you have lost your keys, moved into a new home, or want to limit access to certain people. Home Depot can rekey your locks in-store or at home, depending on your preference and availability. You can also buy rekey kits and do it yourself if you feel it is handy. In this article, we will dive into whether or not Home Depot offers lock-rekeying services and what you need to know before deciding.

Table Of Contents

The Basics of Lock Rekeying

Lock rekeying refers to reconfiguring a lock cylinder so a new key can open the lock. The process involves removing the cylinder from the lock hardware, pinning the cylinder to a new key, and reinstalling the reconfigured cylinder. Locksmiths have traditionally provided this service, using specialized tools and equipment to rekey locks.

Home Depot trains employees to rekey Schlage and Kwikset brand deadbolts, door locks, padlocks, and other hardware. Workers remove the lock cylinder, replace the bottom pins, and use proprietary rekeying kits to fit the lock to a new key code. This allows customers to quickly and affordably rekey multiple locks to fit a new master key without calling a locksmith or replacing expensive lock sets.

Home Depot has a wide selection of locks and keys to suit your needs and budget. Whether you want to upgrade to a smart lock, add style to your door, or simply enhance your security, Home Depot has you covered. Visit your local Home Depot today and ask about their rekeying service. You'll be glad you did since It's a cost-effective way to enhance security without replacing the entire lock.

The vast majority of employees in the hardware department at Home Depot are adept at reconfiguring the intricate inner mechanisms of the Schlage and Quikset brand door locks offered for purchase. Their nimble fingers can swiftly rearrange the internal pins and tumblers within the cylindrical keyways, enabling customers to transform the locks to open with matching keys, synchronizing access for all the entranceways of their abodes. This helpful service is offered free of charge when sufficient quantities of identical model locks are not readily available on the shelves.

Occasionally, discerning patrons even provide their trusted locks hauled from their castles to be reworked by the Home Depot artisans. This is an absolute steal, as professional locksmiths charge a king's ransom to alter locks, especially those still attached to portals at private residences. However, the Home Depot craftsmen lack the specialized equipment and expertise to pick apart and revamp locks of brands other than Schlage and Quikset. Though most can reshape the store's branded locks into keyed-alike configurations, some hardware employees have yet to attain mastery of this intricate skill.

The Process at Home Depot

You Visit the Key Service Desk: Home Depot typically has a designated area for key and locksmith services. Visit the Key Service Desk at your local Home Depot store.
Discuss Your Needs: Speak to the Home Depot associate at the Key Service Desk about your specific requirements. Whether you've moved into a new home, lost a key, or have security concerns, they can guide you through the rekeying process.
Provide Necessary Information: You may need to provide information about your existing locks, such as the brand and model. If you have the key that works with the safety, that's also helpful.
Choose Your New Key: Home Depot offers a variety of key styles. You can choose a new key during the rekeying process.
Wait for the Service: The Home Depot associate will likely take your lock to the back for rekeying. This usually takes little time, and you can wait in the store or come back later to pick up your rekeyed lock.
Payment: There will be a fee for the rekeying service, which you can pay at the Key Service Desk.

It's important to note that while Home Depot provides locksmith services, these services may vary from store to store. It's advisable to call your local Home Depot ahead of time to confirm that they offer lock rekeying services and to inquire about any specific requirements or fees.

Remember that for more complex locksmith needs or if you're dealing with specialty locks, you may want to consult a professional locksmith for personalized assistance.

Availability of Home Depot's Rekeying Service

According to Home Depot's website, rekey services are available at most stores in the United States. However, not all stores offer the service, so customers should call ahead to confirm availability. The service is typically performed at the key-cutting kiosk by hardware department employees.

Home Depot charges a nominal fee per lock cylinder to rekey up to 6 matching locks. Additional fees apply for rekeying more than six locks. Home Depot's rekeying service can save homeowners 50% or more than calling a professional locksmith.

Limitations of Home Depot's Rekeying

While Home Depot's rekeying service provides a cost-effective option, there are some limitations to consider:

Only Schlage and Kwikset locks can be rekeyed. Other brands are not supported.
The service is limited to basic pin tumbler cylinders. More complex lock types cannot be rekeyed by Home Depot.
Control locks and high-security locks like Medeco cannot be rekeyed due to the complexity and specialty tools required.
Home automation locks with electronic keypads cannot be rekeyed, and only the physical cylinder can be reconfigured.
Some locks may need to be removed from the door to rekey if the cylinder cannot be easily extracted.
Cylinders must be in working condition without significant wear or damage. Severely worn cylinders may need complete replacement.
Only the most basic master critical systems can be rekeyed. More complex master keying requires a locksmith.
Rekeying availability can depend on staff skill level and availability. Many stores offer rekeying only during certain hours.

For customers with other lock brands, high-security locks, or complex master critical systems, a professional locksmith is still the best option. Locksmiths have the specialized equipment and expertise to rekey virtually any lock configuration.

Alternatives to Home Depot Rekey Locks

Suppose you desire convenience and matching locks, but you need to be more enthused about having Home Depot technicians tinker with reconfiguring your door hardware. Fortunately, there are other options to achieve your goals without resorting to the Home Depot rekeying service.

One alternative is to replace your traditional keyed locksets with modern keypad-activated smart locks. These intelligent locking mechanisms allow you to lock and unlock entryways by entering number codes on integrated digital keypads. When it's time to change the codes, you can conveniently do so remotely using a smartphone app, avoiding the need to have physical keys reconfigured. However, transitioning fully to connected smart locks can be an expensive endeavor. Also, some users may need help to implement the technology, especially if attempting to integrate smart and traditional locks.

Another option is to simply replace some or all of your mismatched locks with new matching locksets. While you'll incur the costs of purchasing brand-new locks, you'll sidestep the rekeying process altogether. Going the replacement route also allows you to upgrade your locks' style and security features if desired. However, completely replacing multiple locks at once can escalate in cost compared to just rekeying what you already have.

Rather than rekeying, you might also consider hiring a local locksmith to reconfigure your mismatched locks. Experienced locksmiths have specialized equipment to quickly rekey even unusual lock brands and types. Though pricier than Home Depot, a dedicated locksmith can offer greater convenience by coming directly to your home or business. Just be sure to get quotes upfront, as locksmith prices can vary widely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What types of locks can Home Depot rekey?

Home Depot can rekey pin tumbler cylinders for Schlage and Kwikset residential lock brands. Other lock types like high-security locks, auto locks, and commercial grade locks cannot be rekeyed by Home Depot.

Q. How much does getting locks rekeyed at Home Depot cost?

Pricing starts at around $4 per lock cylinder for basic rekeying. Additional fees apply for rekeying more than 6 locks to the same key. Exact pricing can vary by location.

Q. Can Home Depot rekey locks that are already installed?

In some cases, the cylinders can be easily removed from the installed hardware without disassembling the entire lock. If the lock cannot be easily rekeyed on-site, it may need to be brought to the store.

Q. Do I need to buy my locks at Home Depot for rekeying?

No, you can bring your compatible Schlage and Kwikset locks purchased elsewhere to be rekeyed at Home Depot. However, all rekeyed locks must match the same brand (Schlage or Kwikset).

Q. How long does it take Home Depot to rekey a lock?

The rekeying process takes on average 10-15 minutes per lock cylinder. Total turnaround time can vary depending on store volume. Some locations may offer same-day rekeying.

Q. Is rekeying my locks myself better than using Home Depot?

For DIYers with some mechanical skill, rekeying basic pin tumbler locks at home is achievable with a rekeying kit. However, Home Depot's service eliminates the need for specialized tools or knowledge. So, for most basic rekeying needs, utilizing Home Depot's expertise is the more straightforward option.

Final Thoughts

In summary, Home Depot does offer lock rekeying services for basic Schlage and Kwikset pin tumbler locks at many locations across the U.S. This provides an affordable, convenient option for rekeying up to 6 matching locks. However, Home Depot employees cannot rekey more complex lock types and brands. Additionally, availability may vary by store location and staffing. Customers with specialty locks or advanced rekeying needs are better served by utilizing a professional locksmith. But for simple rekey jobs, Home Depot provides a solid DIY solution.