The short answer
What the question actually means
Rekeying isn't about replacing your door hardware. It is about changing the internal pins inside the lock so the old keys stop working and a new key takes over. For rental properties in Northwest Florida, the cadence is simple: do it every time a tenant moves out. You cannot trust that a previous renter didn't make a copy of the key or give one to a friend. If you don't rekey between leases, you aren't actually controlling who has access to your property. It is the only way to guarantee total security for the next person.
The brands that matter
Most rentals in Northwest Florida use Schlage or Kwikset. These are the industry standards because the parts are everywhere and they are reliable. If you have higher-end commercial units, you might see Yale or something heavy-duty. The brand matters because it determines which pins we carry on the truck. When we arrive, we check the brand first to make sure we have the right kit to get the job done without having to swap out the entire handle.
Pricing — what to expect
How to choose
Common follow-up questions
You will pay for the service call and then a fee per cylinder. Some landlords prefer to have one master key for every unit, while others want each door unique. If you have ten units, a master system is the way to go so you aren't carrying a massive ring of keys. A common question is whether to just buy new locks from a big box store. Don't. Cheap residential locks wear out fast and often fail in our humid climate, leaving you with a lockout call.
How locksmiths actually work the job
We don't just swap the lock. We pull the cylinder out of the door, take it to the bench, and rearrange the pins to match a new key blank. Once the pins are set, we test the key several times to make sure it turns smoothly without sticking. We do this for every entry point, including the back door and the garage. If the lock is old or rusted, we'll tell you it needs replacing instead of rekeying, because forcing a bad lock just leads to a break.
When to call vs when to wait
Call us immediately after a tenant hands over the keys or if a key gets lost. Waiting until the new tenant moves in is a risk you shouldn't take. If a lock is sticking slightly, you can usually wait, but if the bolt isn't throwing completely into the frame, that is a priority. In Northwest Florida, salt air can corrode internals quickly. If the key feels gritty or hard to turn, it is time for a professional cleanup or a full rekey.
Bottom line
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