Rekeying vs. Replacing Locks: What Fort Myers Homeowners Need to Know

The Most Common Question After Moving Into a Fort Myers Home

You just closed on a house in Fort Myers. The previous owners handed over the keys at the title company. You are standing in your new kitchen feeling good about life. And then a thought hits you: how many copies of these keys are floating around?

The sellers had keys. Their kids had keys. The cleaning service had keys. The neighbor who watered the plants had keys. The contractor who remodeled the bathroom two years ago might still have keys. And there is no way to know.

Every locksmith and every real estate agent will tell you the same thing: change the locks. But "change the locks" actually means two different things — rekeying and replacing — and most homeowners do not know the difference. Choosing the right one saves you money and gets you the security you need.

What Is Rekeying?

Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of your existing lock so that the old keys no longer work. A locksmith removes the lock cylinder, swaps out the pins, and reassembles it with a new key pattern. Your old keys become useless. New keys are cut to match the new pins.

The lock hardware itself — the deadbolt, the knob, the housing — stays the same. From the outside, nothing looks different. But the old keys are now just shaped pieces of metal that will not turn the lock.

What rekeying costs in Fort Myers:

Time: A full-home rekey typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Our residential locksmith team handles it on site — you do not need to remove locks or bring them anywhere.

What Is Lock Replacement?

Lock replacement means removing the entire lock — deadbolt, knob, strike plate, and all — and installing brand new hardware. You get new locks, new keys, and potentially a higher security grade than what was there before.

What lock replacement costs in Fort Myers:

Time: Replacing all the locks on a typical Fort Myers home takes 1 to 2 hours depending on the number of doors and whether any door prep work is needed.

When to Rekey (The Cheaper Option)

Rekeying is the right choice in these situations:

• You just moved into a new home. The locks work fine — you just want to eliminate all the unknown key copies. This is the single most common reason for rekeying in Fort Myers.
• A tenant moved out. Landlords and property managers across Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and Fort Myers rekey between tenants as standard practice.
• You lost a key. Rather than worry about who might find it, rekey the affected lock. Peace of mind for $25 to $50.
• A relationship ended. If an ex-partner had keys to your home, rekeying is faster and cheaper than replacing the locks.
• You want all locks on one key. If your home has 4 different locks with 4 different keys (common in older Fort Myers homes), a locksmith can rekey them all to work with a single key. This is called keying alike.

The rule: if your lock hardware is in good condition and you just need to invalidate old keys, rekey. It costs a fraction of replacement and takes less time.

When to Replace (The Better Security Option)

Lock replacement makes sense when:

• Your locks are old or worn out. If deadbolts are loose, sticky, or corroded — common in Southwest Florida's humidity and salt air — the hardware itself has degraded. Rekeying a worn-out lock just gives you new keys to a weak lock.
• You have builder-grade locks. Many Fort Myers homes built in the 2000s and 2010s came with the cheapest locks the builder could install. These are typically Grade 3 locks — the lowest residential rating. Upgrading to Grade 2 or Grade 1 deadbolts is a meaningful security improvement.
• You want smart lock features. If you want keyless entry, remote access, or guest codes, you need new hardware. Rekeying cannot add electronic features to a mechanical lock.
• After a break-in or attempted break-in. If a lock was forced, drilled, or damaged, it needs to be replaced, not rekeyed. The internal mechanism may be compromised even if the lock still turns.
• You want high-security locks. Brands like Medeco and Mul-T-Lock offer pick-resistant, bump-proof, and drill-resistant cylinders that standard residential locks cannot match. If security is a priority — and it should be for any home with valuables, firearms, or frequent travel — high-security lock installation is worth the investment.

The Hybrid Approach (What We Usually Recommend)

For most Fort Myers homeowners moving into a new property, we recommend a hybrid approach:

1. Inspect every lock. We check the condition, grade, and function of every exterior lock on the property.
2. Replace any lock that is damaged, worn, or below Grade 2. This gets the weakest points up to standard.
3. Rekey everything else. Good-condition locks get rekeyed to a new key pattern.
4. Key everything alike. All locks — new and rekeyed — work with the same key. One key for your entire home.

This approach gives you the security of new hardware where it matters, the cost savings of rekeying where the existing locks are fine, and the convenience of a single key. For a typical 4-door Fort Myers home, this hybrid approach usually costs $200 to $500 — well below full replacement but with significantly better security than rekeying alone.

Lock Grades Explained

Lock grades are not marketing labels — they are ANSI/BHMA standards that measure strength and durability through controlled testing:

• Grade 3: Basic residential. Withstands 200,000 cycles. Offers minimal forced-entry resistance. This is what most builders install.
• Grade 2: Standard residential and light commercial. Withstands 400,000 cycles. Significantly more resistant to forced entry than Grade 3. This is the minimum we recommend for Fort Myers homes.
• Grade 1: Heavy-duty commercial and high-security residential. Withstands 800,000 cycles. Maximum forced-entry resistance. Built for properties where security is not optional.

If you are not sure what grade your locks are, we can tell you during a rekeying visit or a free security assessment. Most homeowners are surprised to learn their locks are Grade 3.

Special Considerations for Southwest Florida Homes

Fort Myers and the broader Southwest Florida area present unique challenges for locks:

• Salt air corrosion: Homes in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral (especially near the river and canals), and Naples coastal neighborhoods see accelerated corrosion on lock hardware. Stainless steel or brass finishes hold up better than standard chrome or nickel.
• Humidity and expansion: Southwest Florida's humidity causes wood doors to swell seasonally. A deadbolt that works perfectly in January may stick in July. Proper installation accounts for this — including slightly oversizing the bolt hole and ensuring the strike plate is precisely aligned.
• Snowbird properties: Seasonal residents leaving homes vacant for months need locks that resist both physical attack and environmental degradation. High-security deadbolts with corrosion-resistant finishes plus a smart lock or keypad for property manager access is the standard recommendation.
• Hurricane impact doors: Impact-rated doors — required by Florida building code for new construction in Lee and Collier Counties — sometimes have non-standard lock preparations. Not every lock fits every impact door. We carry hardware compatible with the most common impact door brands used in Fort Myers construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rekey a house in Fort Myers?

A full-home rekey for a typical 4-6 lock Fort Myers home costs $100 to $250. Individual locks cost $25 to $50 each. This includes new keys and keying all locks alike so you only carry one key.

Is rekeying as secure as changing the locks?

Yes — rekeying provides the same key security as a new lock. The old keys will not work. The only reason to replace instead of rekey is if the lock hardware itself is damaged, worn, or below the security grade you want.

Can I rekey my locks myself?

Some hardware stores sell DIY rekey kits, but the process requires specific pinning knowledge and tools. A mistake can jam the lock or create a key that works intermittently. Professional rekeying takes 5 to 10 minutes per lock and costs less than most people expect. Call 239-785-4066 for a quote.

Should I rekey or replace locks on a rental property between tenants?

Rekey between every tenant — no exceptions. It is inexpensive insurance against a former tenant returning with a copied key. Replace locks only when the hardware is worn or damaged. Fort Myers property managers who rekey consistently avoid the liability of uncontrolled key copies.