Lock Changes & Re-keying

What’s the exact difference between a re-key and a lock change?

Re-keying means we remove your cylinder, take it apart inside, and swap the internal pins so a different key works the lock. You keep the same deadbolt housing, handle, and door frame. The old key becomes useless. A lock change means we remove the entire deadbolt unit and bolt a different one to your door—completely new housing, new mechanism, new key. Re-key is faster, cheaper, and causes no damage. Lock change is necessary when the mechanism is seized, the cylinder is corroded beyond use, the lock body is cracked, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security model (like Grade 4 or a smart lock). For routine situations—moving house, lost key, tenant departure—re-key is the pragmatic choice. For coastal properties in Bondi, Maroubra, or Rose Bay where salt air corrodes metal, or for locks over 15 years old, upgrade to a new lock to get fresh hardware and fresh security.

Why is re-keying after moving house so important?

Because everyone has a copy of the previous owner’s or tenant’s key. The sellers kept one. Their family members have copies. The real estate agent has one. Inspectors, tradespeople who serviced the property, the plumber, the electrician—they all have keys or access cards. Burglars sometimes target recently purchased homes because they know the locks haven’t been changed. You don’t sleep soundly your first night until you know only you and the people you trust have access. We recommend re-keying the front door as a priority on day one, and the rear and laundry doors within a week. Many Eastern Suburbs homeowners call us the morning after settlement. It’s a small job that lets you sleep easy, and it costs less than a decent dinner out.

What’s the step-by-step process of a re-key visit?

We arrive, inspect all the locks you want re-keyed, confirm they’re in working order and fit the key you provide (or a spare key from before the previous owner, if you can find one). We explain the cost and process. Once you approve, we remove each cylinder and take it to our van or workshop. We disassemble the cylinder, remove the old pins, and install new pins coded to a fresh key we cut for you. The cylinder goes back in the door, and you test the new key. For a standard house with front, rear, and laundry doors, it’s a straightforward job. If we code it on-site (we can, with specialized equipment), it’s faster. We test every new key before we leave and provide you with duplicates if requested. Any worn or damaged pins we spot during disassembly, we replace at no extra cost.

Can you re-key all doors to operate on a single master key?

Yes, absolutely. A keyed-alike or “grand-master” system is one of our core services. We’ll re-code every lock on your property to accept the same key—front door, rear door, garage, side gate, laundry, even windows if they have keyed locks. It’s incredibly convenient for families who lose keys constantly, or for property managers running multiple rental units. One key opens everything. For landlords, we can also set up a true master-key system with two levels: the tenant’s working key opens only their flat, and the landlord’s master key opens all tenant doors plus common areas and the building exterior. This is standard for apartment buildings and multi-unit commercial properties. We design, install, and maintain systems like this across the Eastern Suburbs.

What happens if you’ve lost your only house key?

If you have a spare key hidden somewhere—under a mat, in the garage, with a trusted neighbor—retrieve it. Bring it to us. We’ll inspect the spare, code the lock based on the spare key’s cut, and create fresh duplicates. If you have no spare anywhere, call us to attend in person. We’ll extract the cylinder without damaging the door, inspect the internal pin stack by sight (we have trained eyes for this), and cut a new key based on what we see. The cylinder stays in place. You’ll have a new key and the lock hasn’t been drilled or damaged. For added security after losing a key, we recommend a full re-key so you know no copy of the old key exists anywhere. This is especially important if the key went missing in an unknown location—a restaurant, a taxi, a bus—anywhere someone could have picked it up and discovered your address.

Should you always re-key after a break-in?

If keys were stolen, re-key everything immediately and consider upgrading to a Grade 4 anti-pick cylinder. If a thief forced the door but didn’t steal keys, and the lock itself isn’t damaged, re-key is optional but advisable as a precaution. If the lock is broken or the door frame is damaged, you’ll need a full lock change and possibly a reinforced strike plate. Best practice after a break-in: (1) call NSW Police and get an incident number; (2) contact your insurance company and ask whether they mandate a re-key or lock upgrade; (3) call us with the police incident number and insurance details, and we’ll attend same-day if possible. Bring the police report number when we arrive—it helps with your insurance claim. Many insurers will cover the cost of a re-key or new lock if you can demonstrate it was a result of the break-in.

What are restricted-key systems and why do rental and commercial businesses need them?

A restricted-key blank is a key shape that’s registered and patented—only a licensed locksmith can duplicate it. A commercial kiosk won’t touch it. When a tenant or staff member leaves, you collect the key, and they can’t go to a hardware store and make a spare. If a key is lost, only authorized people (like you or a property manager) can order a replacement from us by proving their identity. For rental properties with high turnover, restricted systems eliminate the headache of wondering if previous tenants made copies. For businesses with sensitive areas—server rooms, cash offices, executive spaces—restricted keys keep access truly restricted. Landlords often set up a master restricted-key system where they hold the master key, and each tenant has a restricted-coded key to their own door only. When the tenant moves out, the key becomes worthless. We’ll design the entire system, provide the master key, and issue restricted blanks whenever authorized. It costs more upfront than standard pins and blanks, but for a property manager running 10+ rentals, it saves money and stress long-term.

How do you handle tenant turnover re-keying?

Best practice is to re-key between every single tenant. Call us when the tenant gives notice. We attend before they move out, inspect all doors, quote the job, and often re-key on the spot or schedule a convenient time. Once the keys are re-coded, you issue fresh keys to the new tenant only. The outgoing tenant can’t have made secret copies (or if they did, those copies no longer work). For strata properties or apartment buildings, the strata manager usually coordinates with us. For private rental homes, the landlord or agent contacts us directly. We provide an itemized invoice noting which locks were re-keyed, what keys were issued, and our 12-month workmanship warranty. Many landlords ask for 2 keys per door for the new tenant; we cut and test them all before we leave.

What if you want to fit a smart lock or digital system?

We install smart locks and keypad/digital locks on doors that would normally have a deadbolt. Popular models like Yale Assure, August Smart Lock, Level, and Schlage Encode fit most Australian door frames without major modification. Some require a new battery and a WiFi connection; others use Bluetooth and a keypad code. For rental properties, digital systems eliminate the lost-key problem—you simply deactivate a tenant’s access code when they leave. For busy professionals or holiday rentals, keypad entry or smartphone unlock is incredibly convenient. We quote smart locks individually based on your door frame and your preferred feature set. Call 0411 340 242 for a fixed price; we install and test everything on the day.

Can you re-key sliding doors, French doors, and other non-standard locks?

Yes. Sliding doors and French doors use pin-tumbler or lever locks that we can re-code the same way as traditional deadbolts. Some sliding-door locks are trickier to access or disassemble, but we’ve handled them across the Eastern Suburbs. Casement windows, pivot windows, and specialty hinged glass doors also have keyed locks we can re-code. Bring the door details or the cylinder itself, and we’ll assess feasibility and quote over the phone or on-site. If the lock is proprietary or damaged, we recommend replacement rather than re-key.

Frequently asked questions

If I lose a key from a restricted system, can I easily get a replacement?

You can get a replacement, but only from us, and only by proving your identity and your authorization to access that property. This is the entire point of a restricted system—control over duplication. It’s inconvenient if you’re careless, but that inconvenience is the security feature. For properties with multiple tenants or staff, the landlord or manager keeps the authorization record, so tenants can’t just call up and demand a replacement without permission.

How much does it cost to re-key a rental property between tenants?

We charge per lock, not per door. A three-bedroom house with front, rear, laundry, and garage doors might have 4 separate cylinders. Each re-key costs a set amount, so call 0411 340 242 with your address and the number of locks, and we’ll quote a fixed price over the phone. There are no surprise charges. If you want new locks fitted instead of re-key, that’s separate and costs more, but the quote will be clear before we start work.

What if a key snaps or breaks during the re-keying process?

We carry spare key blanks and have extractor tools on every job. If a key breaks, we remove the broken piece safely, inspect the cylinder for damage, and cut a replacement key or swap the cylinder if needed. There’s no extra charge to you. Broken keys are part of the trade; we handle it daily.

Can I re-key just one door and leave the others as they were?

Absolutely. Some properties, especially rentals, might have a side door or garage door that’s lower-risk. You can re-key the front and rear doors (main access points) and leave the others on the old code, or re-key everything to one master key. It’s your decision based on your security needs and budget. We’ll quote each lock separately so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Is a re-key covered by home or landlord insurance?

Routine re-keying isn’t usually covered, but insurance often reimburses after a break-in or theft if you have an incident number and an invoice. Call your insurer before we do the work, ask if they’ll reimburse, and ask for written approval if they say yes. We’ll then submit the invoice to them. For landlords, some landlord-specific insurance policies cover annual re-keying as maintenance; check your policy.