---
title: Rekeying an Office Suite: What the Process Looks Like from Start to Finish
description: Need [av_keyword_plain] in [sa_city]? [main_name] walks you through every step — from the first call to handing over new keys — so there are no surprises.
url: https://sundiallocksmith.com/rekeying-an-office-suite-what-the-process-looks-like-from-start-to-finish
date_modified: 2026-07-24
author: avathan
language: en_US
---

Nothing creates urgency quite like realizing a former employee still has a key to your office. If you’re in that position, take a breath.  is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to close that security gap, and we do it every week for businesses across  and the rest of . Here’s exactly what the process looks like when you call .

![A locksmith's rekeying kit displayed on a workbench, featuring a blue case filled with color-coded key pins, several brass lock cylinders, and a Sundial Locksmith branded logo overlay.](https://sundiallocksmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Sundial-Locksmith1066.jpeg "Rekeying an Office Suite: What the Process Looks Like from Start to Finish")![A collection of brass lock cylinders each with their corresponding sets of keys arranged on a dark surface, alongside Sundial Locksmith business cards.](https://sundiallocksmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Sundial-Locksmith1017.jpeg "Rekeying an Office Suite: What the Process Looks Like from Start to Finish")
## Why Beats Replacing Every Lock

Replacing every lock in a commercial suite is expensive and usually unnecessary. Rekeying repins the internal cylinder so every old key becomes useless — instantly. The hardware stays. The cost drops. The security level is exactly the same as brand-new locks.

The trigger is almost always a personnel change. Someone leaves — voluntarily or not — and copies of that key could be floating around. Businesses near Camelback Corridor and Old Town Scottsdale call us regularly after a staff turnover or a lease handoff. Waiting only widens the window of risk.

> Rekeying is not a shortcut — it’s the smart move. The lock body stays intact; only the tumblers change. Your security resets without the cost of full replacement.

## The Office Suite Rekey Process, Step by Step

![sundial locksmith0948](https://sundiallocksmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Sundial-Locksmith0948-768x1024.jpg "Rekeying an Office Suite: What the Process Looks Like from Start to Finish")
1. **Initial call and scope assessment.** We ask how many doors, what lock brands are installed, and whether you need a master-key system. Five minutes on the phone saves everyone time on-site.
2. **Technician dispatch.** A skilled technician with a full kit arrives — not a solo operator with a borrowed tool bag.
3. **Lock-by-lock disassembly.** Each cylinder is removed, existing pins are taken out, and new driver and key pins are inserted to match a freshly cut key.
4. **Keying alike or master-key setup.** We can key every lock to one key, set up a master that opens all doors, or create a tiered hierarchy — management gets full access, staff gets limited access.
5. **Cut and test new keys.** Keys are cut on-site. We test every cylinder before we leave. If something doesn’t feel crisp, we redo it.
6. **Old keys confirmed dead.** We verify prior keys no longer work before closing out the job.

## Rekeying vs. Lock Replacement: Quick Comparison

![sundial locksmith0656](https://sundiallocksmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Sundial-Locksmith0656-1024x768.jpg "Rekeying an Office Suite: What the Process Looks Like from Start to Finish")
| Factor | Rekeying | Full Replacement |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Time on-site | 30–90 min | 1–3+ hours |
| Hardware condition | Good working order | Any condition |
| Security result | Same as new lock | Same as new lock |
| Best use case | Personnel change, lost key | Damaged or outdated hardware |

If your hardware is worn or outdated, replacement may be the right call. We’ll tell you honestly which path makes sense — the goal is your security, not a bigger invoice. For facilities with more complex needs, our guide on [what’s different about large facility security](https://sundiallocksmith.com/locksmith-for-a-warehouse-whats-different-about-large-facility-security/) is worth reading before you schedule.

The [Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA)](https://www.aloa.org/) recommends rekeying any commercial space immediately following a change in key holders — the exact standard we hold ourselves to on every job.

We work across all of  and the wider  Valley — from business parks near the 101 in North Scottsdale to office corridors in [Tempe](https://sundiallocksmith.com/service-area/tempe-az/) and beyond. Ready to close the gap? Call  at  and we’ll scope the job, give you a straight answer on timing, and get a technician out fast.

[Schedule Your Office Rekey Now](https://sundiallocksmith.com/contact/)

The same urgency applies in residential situations, and [rekeying after an estate sale](https://sundiallocksmith.com/rekeying-after-an-estate-sale-why-you-shouldnt-wait-on-this-one/) explains why acting quickly protects you from unknown keyholders.