When you move into a new apartment in Williamsburg, buy a brownstone in Park Slope, or take over a storefront in Bushwick, one of the first things you should do is change or rekey every lock on the property. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the old key are out there. Brooklyn Locksmith & Doors handles both services for renters, homeowners, and commercial tenants across all of Brooklyn.
What is the difference between a rekey and a full lock change?
A rekey means a locksmith opens the lock cylinder, swaps out the internal pin tumblers, and cuts a new key to match the new pin configuration. The old key is dead. The lock body and hardware stay in place. This is the right move when your existing deadbolt or knob set is in solid working condition and you simply need new key control.
A full lock change means we remove the existing hardware entirely and install new locks. This makes sense when:
- The lock is worn, stiff, or has a damaged cylinder
- You want to upgrade from a Grade 3 builder-grade knob to a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt
- You are switching to a different brand or style
- The door has been kicked in or forced, and the strike plate or lockset is compromised
Common brands we install and rekey include Schlage B60N and B62N deadbolts, Kwikset SmartKey series, Medeco Maxum high-security deadbolts, and Yale Assure smart locks. For commercial doors in Crown Heights or Bay Ridge, we also work with Corbin Russwin and Sargent cylinders.
Who actually needs a lock change or rekey in Brooklyn?
The short answer: almost everyone at some point. Brooklyn has a high tenant turnover rate. Landlords in Crown Heights and Bushwick cycle through tenants regularly. Each time a tenant leaves, the lock should be rekeyed at a minimum. Skipping this step is how unauthorized entry happens.
Here are the most common situations we see:
- New move-in: You just signed a lease in Williamsburg or Brooklyn Heights. The landlord handed you keys. Those keys may have been copied dozens of times over the years.
- Lost or stolen keys: A bag gets left on the G train. A key falls off a ring somewhere in Park Slope. Rekeying immediately removes that risk.
- Roommate or relationship change: Someone moves out and you need to know the space is yours again.
- After a break-in attempt: Even if the intruder failed, damaged hardware needs to be replaced, not patched.
- Commercial tenant changeover: A new business takes over a storefront. Old employees, old managers, and old vendors may have key copies. Rekeying the storefront and back door is non-negotiable.
Property managers overseeing multi-unit buildings in Bay Ridge and Flatbush also call us to set up master key systems so one key opens all common areas while tenants keep private keys for their individual units.
How does Brooklyn Locksmith & Doors handle the job on site?
We carry rekey kits for the most common residential pin systems: Schlage C keyway, Kwikset KW1, and Kwikset SC1. Our vans stock replacement cylinders, deadbolt sets, and knob sets in satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte black finishes so most jobs are completed in one visit.
For high-security upgrades, we install Medeco Maxum deadbolts with restricted keyways. That means duplicates cannot be made at a hardware store. This is popular with brownstone owners in Park Slope and loft buildings in Williamsburg who want tight key control without a full smart lock system.
On the commercial side, we rekey Best SFIC small-format interchangeable core cylinders used in many Brooklyn office buildings and retail spaces. We also replace standard storefront mortise locks and upgrade worn Adams Rite deadlatches on aluminum-framed glass doors. If your panic bar needs a new cylinder or a keyed cylinder added, we handle that in the same visit.
Every job ends with a function test on both sides of the door. We check that the bolt throws fully, the strike plate is aligned, and the new key operates smoothly before we leave.
To schedule a lock change or rekey anywhere in Brooklyn, call Brooklyn Locksmith & Doors at (347) 357-0985. We are available for urgent calls and standard appointments across all neighborhoods.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rekeying and changing a lock?
Rekeying resets the internal pins so old keys no longer work. Changing a lock replaces the entire hardware. Rekeying works well when the lock body is in good condition. A full lock change makes sense when the hardware is worn, damaged, or you want to upgrade the deadbolt grade or brand.
How long does a rekey or lock change take?
A single rekey typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Swapping out a deadbolt or knob set runs about the same. Multi-lock jobs on a brownstone front door or a storefront with several cylinders take longer, but most residential jobs wrap up within an hour.
Can you rekey my locks so one key opens everything?
Yes. This is called keying alike or master keying. It works across most Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco cylinders. It is a popular option for landlords, property managers, and building owners in Park Slope and Crown Heights who manage multiple units.
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