This is one of my favorite questions to answer, because the answer surprises most people. Yes, Lock Rekeying to Existing Key is absolutely possible, and we do it regularly across Phoenix and the surrounding Valley. Whether you just moved into a home near Camelback Mountain, you’re managing a rental in Tempe, or you want every door on your property to open with one key — this service exists, it works, and it’s simpler than you’d expect.
How Lock Rekeying to Existing Key Actually Works
Inside every pin-tumbler lock is a set of spring-loaded pins sized to match one specific key. When we rekey a lock, we swap those pins so the lock responds to a different key — your chosen key — instead of the old one. To match a key you already carry, we measure its cuts, then select pins that correspond to that exact bitting pattern. The old key? Dead. Works on nothing. That’s a real security upgrade, especially if contractors, housekeepers, or previous tenants ever had copies.
Rekeying is one of the smartest, most cost-effective security moves a homeowner can make — especially after any change in who’s had access to your property.
Can All My Door Locks Be Keyed Alike?
Yes — and this is where it gets genuinely useful. If your front door, back door, side gate, and detached garage entry all belong to the same brand family (Schlage, Kwikset, and others), a skilled locksmith can rekey every one of them to accept the key already in your pocket. We handle this regularly for homeowners from Old Town Scottsdale to Gilbert to North Phoenix. A few things to know before we start:
- Same keyway required: All locks being keyed alike need a compatible keyway. Mixing a Schlage B-series with a Kwikset isn’t straightforward — we’ll assess this on-site.
- Pin depth limits: Each lock has a limit on distinct pin heights. If your existing key has a very unique bitting pattern, some locks may not rekey to it exactly — rare, but we’ll tell you upfront.
- Deadbolts and knob sets together: We can key both to match on the same door. One key, both locks — no fumbling.
Wondering if your home is better served by going fully keyless instead? Our post on embracing keyless door locks walks through the tradeoffs honestly.
When This Makes the Most Sense — and What It Costs
We get calls for this in a handful of very specific situations. If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place:
- You just bought a home near Arcadia or in Chandler and want every lock responding to your key, not the previous owner’s.
- A lease ended, a relationship changed, or a contractor wrapped up and you need to lock them out without buying new hardware.
- You’re managing multiple properties and want a master key system that actually makes sense.
- You’re down to one spare key and need more copies cut from a single verified source.
That last scenario matters more than people realize — one bad afternoon and you’re locked out. Our full rekeying service covers all of this, and we can cut additional copies on the spot.
On cost: rekeying is almost always significantly cheaper than replacing locks outright. For most residential jobs in Phoenix, rekeying a single cylinder typically runs $20–$50 when part of a service call. Keying four to six locks alike in one visit usually lands between $100–$200 depending on brand and complexity — far less than new hardware throughout the house.
The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) recommends using licensed, insured professionals for rekeying — particularly after a tenant change or any security event. It’s worth asking whoever you call whether they’re properly licensed in AZ.
Rekeying to an existing key sounds complicated but is genuinely straightforward with the right team. If you’re anywhere in Phoenix or across Maricopa County and want every lock on your property answering to the key already in your pocket, call Sundial Locksmith at (480) 525-7778. We’ll get it handled right, the first time.
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