COLORADO 2026 PRICING GUIDE
How much does it cost to rekey a house in Highlands Ranch?
Pricing Guide · Published June 6, 2026 · Colorado Dependable Locksmith
Most Highlands Ranch homeowners pay between $95 and $185 to rekey a standard 3-to-5-lock house in 2026, including a $35-$65 service call and $19-$25 per cylinder. Pricing scales with the number of locks, the lock brand (Kwikset, Schlage, Baldwin, smart locks), and whether the hardware is in good working condition. As a Highlands Ranch locksmith with 38 verified 5-star reviews, we publish flat-rate pricing up front so there are no surprises when the tech arrives at your door.
Average rekey cost in Highlands Ranch (2026 price ranges)
Rekeying is one of the most affordable security upgrades a homeowner can make. Here are the real 2026 ranges we see across Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, and the rest of Douglas County:
| Scenario | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Single deadbolt rekey (in shop) | $19-$25 |
| 3-lock house (front, back, garage entry) | $95-$130 |
| 5-lock house (most HR floor plans) | $135-$185 |
| 6-8 locks (larger homes, basement walkout) | $185-$245 |
| Smart lock rekey (Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo) | $45-$75 per cylinder |
These prices include the service call, labor, and up to 5 new matching keys cut on-site.
What's included in a professional rekey service
A legitimate rekey is more than just swapping pins. When we quote a flat rate in Highlands Ranch, it covers:
- Service call and travel within Douglas County
- Removal and disassembly of each lock cylinder
- New pin set sized to a fresh, randomly chosen key code
- Lubrication of the cylinder and latch mechanism
- Re-installation and function test of each lock
- Up to 5 freshly cut keys on the new code, all keyed alike
- 30-day warranty on the rekey labor
If a tech quotes $19 over the phone and then adds $40 "per pin" once they arrive, that is a classic bait-and-switch and you should send them away.
Rekey vs lock replacement: which is cheaper in the long run?
Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work. Replacement swaps the entire lock body. For most Highlands Ranch homeowners, rekeying wins on price by a wide margin:
| Rekey | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| Per-lock cost | $19-$25 | $65-$220+ (hardware + labor) |
| 5-lock house total | $135-$185 | $425-$1,200+ |
| Time on site | 20-40 min | 45-90 min |
| Keeps existing finish | Yes | No |
Replacement makes sense only when the lock is physically damaged, badly worn, or you are upgrading to smart locks or a higher security grade (Grade 1 commercial, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock).
Cost factors: number of locks, lock brand, and lock condition
Your final invoice depends on a handful of variables. The biggest cost drivers in Highlands Ranch are:
- Number of cylinders - every keyed lock adds $19-$25
- Brand - Kwikset and Schlage residential are baseline; Baldwin, Emtek, and Weiser run $5-$15 more per cylinder because of the pin set
- High-security cylinders - Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy can be $45-$95 per cylinder and may require shipped pin kits
- Smart locks - Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo, August require firmware-aware rekey at $45-$75
- Lock condition - a corroded or sun-baked exterior deadbolt may need cleaning or a $12-$25 spring kit before it will accept new pins
- Keyed-alike requirement - matching all locks to one key is included; multiple key groups add $5-$10 per group
When you should rekey (after moving, lost keys, tenant turnover, divorce)
Rekeying is the right call any time you do not know who still has a working key. The most common reasons Highlands Ranch homeowners call us:
- Closing day on a new home - the builder, agent, cleaners, stagers, and previous owner all had keys
- Lost or stolen keys - especially if the keyring had an address tag or garage opener
- Tenant turnover - landlords with rentals in HR, Lone Tree, or Parker should rekey between every tenant
- Divorce or separation - fast, affordable way to secure the home without legal complications
- After a break-in - even if locks were not used, keys may have been taken
- Contractor or housekeeper turnover - anyone given temporary key access
Insurance companies and HOA covenants in Highlands Ranch increasingly recommend a documented rekey at move-in.
Service call fees, travel charges, and how to avoid bait-and-switch pricing
Honest locksmiths in Douglas County disclose trip fees before dispatch. Our published 2026 rates:
| Service window | Service call fee |
|---|---|
| Standard hours (Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm) | $35-$45 |
| Evening (6pm-10pm) | $55-$65 |
| Overnight / holiday emergency | $85-$125 |
| Outside Douglas County (Castle Rock south, Aurora east) | +$15-$25 travel |
The service call is included in the flat rates above - not stacked on top. Be cautious of any locksmith advertising a $15 service call online; that is almost always a national lead-generation ad that flips into a $300+ bill on arrival. Before you book, ask five questions:
- What is the all-in price for X locks, including the service call?
- Are you a local Highlands Ranch business with a physical address?
- Can you text me a photo of the tech and the marked vehicle?
- Do you accept card on a written invoice, not cash-only?
- What is your Google review count and average rating?
A legitimate local locksmith answers all five without hesitation.
Frequently asked questions about rekey cost in Highlands Ranch
How long does it take to rekey a house in Highlands Ranch?
A typical 3-to-5-lock home takes 25-45 minutes on site. Larger homes with 6-8 locks or a mix of smart locks and deadbolts run 45-75 minutes. We do all the work in your driveway or at the door - the locks never leave your property.
Can I rekey Kwikset SmartKey locks myself with the kit from Home Depot?
Yes, if you have the original "learn" key that came with the lock. The DIY kit runs $10-$15 per lock. Most Highlands Ranch homeowners who buy resale homes don't have the learn key, so a locksmith rekey at $19-$25 per cylinder ends up being the same price with a warranty.
Will rekeying work on my Schlage Encode or Kwikset Halo smart lock?
Yes. We rekey the physical cylinder so the backup key changes, while leaving your codes, fingerprints, and app pairing untouched. Smart lock rekeys run $45-$75 per cylinder because the pin sets and tailpieces are brand-specific.
Do you charge extra to make all my locks open with one key?
No. Keying all your locks alike to a single new key is included in the flat per-cylinder price. If you want two key groups - for example, one for the main house and one for the basement rental - we charge a flat $5-$10 per additional key group.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks after losing my keys?
Rekeying is almost always 60-80% cheaper. A full 5-lock house rekey runs $135-$185, while replacing those same locks with new Schlage or Kwikset deadbolts plus labor runs $425-$1,200. Replace only if the hardware is damaged or you want to upgrade to smart locks.
Do you serve all of Highlands Ranch, or just specific neighborhoods?
We serve all of Highlands Ranch including Eastridge, Westridge, Northridge, Southridge, BackCountry, and Highlands Ranch Town Center, plus Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Parker, and Centennial. Travel is included within Douglas County.