How Often Should You Change or Rekey Your Locks?

There is no universal countdown timer on a lock, but there are specific life events that should prompt immediate action. Security experts and experienced locksmiths consistently point to the same triggers: moving into a new home or apartment, ending a relationship where a partner had a key, experiencing a break-in or attempted break-in, losing a key or having one stolen, dismissing an employee or ending a housekeeping arrangement, and completing a tenant turnover. If any of these apply to you, the answer to 'how often should I change my locks?' is simply: now.

Beyond event-driven changes, a practical rule of thumb is to evaluate your locks every three to five years. Mechanical wear, especially on a high-traffic exterior door knob lock or an older mortise lock, can degrade the internal pins and springs to the point where the lock no longer latches securely or functions smoothly. If your key sticks, the bolt drags, or the hardware feels loose, those are physical signs that service is overdue — not just a nuisance.

Rekeying means a trained locksmith adjusts the internal pin tumblers inside your existing lock cylinder so that your old key no longer works and a new key is cut to match. The hardware stays in place; only the internal configuration changes. This is usually the fastest and most straightforward solution after a move, a lost key, or a tenant turnover, provided the lock itself is in good mechanical condition. The most common locksmith task in residential service is exactly this: a rekey after a move or a key control issue, and it can often be completed in under thirty minutes per lock.

Full lock replacement makes sense when the hardware is worn, damaged, or outdated, when you want to upgrade to a higher-security option like a Grade 1 deadbolt or a mortise lock with anti-pick and anti-drill features, or when you want to add a keypad or smart lock. A mortise lock, which is the style that fits into a deep rectangular pocket cut into the door edge rather than a simple bored hole, offers substantially more resistance to forced entry and is often the right upgrade for older Raleigh homes with thicker historic doors. If you are asking how do you change a door lock yourself, know that a mortise lock replacement in particular involves precise door prep and is best left to a skilled locksmith to avoid misalignment that can void any warranty and leave the door vulnerable.

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer is: it depends on your lease and North Carolina tenant law. Many leases prohibit tenants from changing locks without landlord approval, but North Carolina law does give tenants certain rights — particularly in domestic violence situations — to have locks changed. In most standard cases, the cleanest path is to contact your landlord or property manager in writing, request a rekey, and document their response. If they refuse or are slow to act and you have a legitimate security concern, a locksmith can rekey the lock in a way that is non-destructive and reversible, and you can provide a copy of the new key to management as required.

For renters asking can you change the lock on an apartment door after a roommate moves out or a key goes missing, a rekey is almost always the right move rather than a full replacement — it satisfies the security need without altering the landlord's hardware. If your building uses a keypad or smart lock, the question shifts to can you change the code on a keypad door lock, and the answer is yes, typically through a simple admin sequence outlined in the lock manufacturer's instructions. If you have lost the admin code or the lock is managed by your property, call us and we can walk through the options with you on-site.

Electronic keypad locks have become increasingly popular in Raleigh neighborhoods like Brier Creek and Cameron Village because they eliminate the lost-key problem entirely. But they introduce a different vulnerability: code sharing. If you have given your entry code to a contractor, a dog walker, a houseguest, or a previous tenant, changing that code regularly is just as important as rekeying a traditional lock. For most residential keypad locks — whether Schlage, Kwikset, or another brand — the process to change the code on a door lock involves pressing a programming button, entering the current admin code, and entering the new user code. Check your specific model's manual for the exact sequence, as it varies.

For those asking how do you change a combination lock code on a padlock securing a gate, storage shed, or secondary entrance, the general process on a resettable combination lock involves opening it with the current combination, turning the shackle to a reset position, dialing in your new code, and returning the shackle to normal. If the process is not working or the lock is older and the reset mechanism is stuck, do not force it — a professional can assess whether the lock is salvageable or whether a replacement is more practical. And if you are wondering can you change a combination lock that uses a fixed factory code, the honest answer is no — those non-resettable models require a full replacement. Call (631) 380-4138 and our team can help you identify the right solution before you spend time on a lock that cannot be reprogrammed.

We are often asked how much a locksmith should charge to change a lock, and the honest answer is that several variables shape the final price. The type of lock matters significantly: rekeying a standard door knob lock is a straightforward job, while servicing or replacing a mortise lock with a multi-point locking mechanism involves more labor and specialized parts. Time of day plays a role as well — emergency locksmith calls at 2 a.m. reflect the overhead of 24/7 availability. Travel distance within the Raleigh area affects the call-out cost, and whether any parts need to be sourced and installed will add to the total. The average call-out fee for a locksmith varies by market and circumstance, which is why we always confirm an exact, up-front price before any work begins. There are no surprise charges after the job is done.

For homeowners asking what to do if you need lock service but want to be thoughtful about cost, the most practical advice is to bundle your work. If you have three exterior doors that all need rekeying, doing them in one visit is far more efficient than three separate calls. Combining a lock rekey with a deadbolt upgrade, or pairing a residential service call with a quick assessment of secondary entry points, maximizes the value of a single trip. Our team serves homeowners and businesses throughout Raleigh — from downtown condos near Fayetteville Street to commercial properties along Capital Boulevard — and we are happy to advise on the most practical approach for your specific setup. For commercial locksmith needs, including master key systems, mortise lock installation on office suites, or access control rekeying after employee turnover, we handle those on the same 24/7 availability as our residential calls.

Moving into a new home is exciting, but the previous owners may have distributed keys to neighbors, contractors, housekeepers, or family members you will never meet. The same is true for landlords managing tenant turnover — even a well-intentioned tenant may have made copies without telling anyone. Here is a straightforward checklist to work through: First, count and account for every entry point — front door, back door, side gate, garage entry, and any interior locks like a home office or basement. Second, decide whether each lock is worth keeping based on its condition and security grade. Third, schedule a rekey or replacement for every exterior lock before you or your new tenant moves in. Fourth, if you have keypad locks, update every user code and delete any old codes in the system memory. Fifth, consider whether a mortise lock upgrade makes sense on your primary entry door for improved forced-entry resistance.

One scenario we see regularly in Raleigh's older neighborhoods like Boylan Heights and Mordecai is homeowners discovering that their front door uses an outdated mortise lock from the 1970s that still works mechanically but no longer offers meaningful security because the cylinder is worn and the throw bolt is loose. In those cases, a mortise lock service or upgrade does double duty: it refreshes security and restores smooth, reliable operation. If you are not sure what type of lock you have or whether it meets current security standards, our mobile team can assess it on-site and give you a straight answer. Call (631) 380-4138 — we answer 24/7 and can typically reach most Raleigh locations quickly.

Top Raleigh Locksmith is a fully mobile, insured locksmith team serving homeowners, renters, and businesses throughout Raleigh and the surrounding communities. Whether you need a quick rekey after a move, a mortise lock installation on a historic property, or an emergency locksmith response in the middle of the night, we bring the tools and experience to your door. Here is a full picture of what we offer: residential rekey service, full lock replacement, mortise lock installation and repair, door knob lock replacement, deadbolt installation and upgrade, smart lock and keypad lock programming, combination lock service, master key system setup, high-security lock installation, emergency locksmith response, lockout assistance for homeowners, apartment lock service for renters, tenant turnover rekey packages, garage door lock service, sliding door lock installation, window lock installation, door frame and strike plate reinforcement, lock maintenance and lubrication, broken key extraction, lock repair after attempted break-in, commercial locksmith services, office rekey and master key systems, access control rekeying, padlock and gate lock service, and car locksmith key replacement including transponder key programming and lockout assistance. No matter the lock type or time of day, we are equipped to help.

A lockout is stressful, but taking a calm, methodical approach before calling a locksmith can sometimes save you the wait. Start with the obvious: check every door and window to see if another entry point is unlocked. Look for a spare key with a trusted neighbor, a family member nearby, or a property manager if you are a renter. If you are a renter, your landlord or building manager may have a master key available and should be your first call during business hours. If none of those options apply, that is exactly the moment to call an emergency locksmith. Do not attempt to force a lock, use a credit card to shimmy a deadbolt, or try any bypass technique you found online — those methods can damage your door, your lock, and sometimes result in injury, and they will likely cost more to repair than a professional lockout service would have.

When you call us for a lockout, we will ask for your address, verify your identity as the occupant or owner, and dispatch a trained locksmith to you. We use non-destructive entry methods whenever possible, meaning your lock and door stay intact. The question 'what is the phone number for a Raleigh locksmith I can trust?' has a simple answer: (631) 380-4138. We are available every hour of every day, including weekends and holidays.