How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a House in NYC?

Rekeying a house in New York City usually costs $150 to $400 for five to eight lock cylinders, service call included. An apartment with two to four cylinders runs $80 to $250. Each standard cylinder adds about $20 to $60, while high-security brands such as Medeco and Mul-T-Lock cost more and need an authorized dealer. Below are NYC prices by job, rekeying versus new locks, and what raises the bill.

Rekey Prices in NYC by Lock and Job

The cost to rekey a house comes in two parts: one service call per visit, then a charge for each cylinder.

The ranges come from price guides published by New York City locksmiths and national cost surveys, checked in September 2026. Manhattan and Brooklyn jobs typically cost more than those in other boroughs because of parking and travel time. If you are locked out rather than changing keys, see our guides to locksmith prices in NYC and what to do when you are locked out.

Rekey or Change the Locks?

Rekeying replaces the small pins inside the cylinder so previous keys stop working, while the lock itself remains on the door. When the hardware is in good condition, it delivers the same security as a new lock for a fraction of the price. Most move-ins, lost keys, and roommate changes require nothing more.

Replacing the lock makes sense when the cylinder is visibly worn, the bolt sticks, or the hardware was damaged during a break-in. It is also the right call for an upgrade, such as replacing a builder-grade deadbolt with a pick-resistant model. A smart lock is another option when you prefer codes to keys. In NYC apartment buildings, the entrance door deadbolt must open with a thumbturn from inside. A replacement therefore cannot be a double-cylinder lock that needs a key on both sides. Our article on improving home security with better locks covers the upgrade options.

What Raises the Price in NYC Homes

The number of cylinders and the lock manufacturer determine most of the bill. New York homes typically have more cylinders and more premium brands than suburban houses, which explains why local totals exceed national averages.

Apartments and Co-ops

Many NYC apartment doors carry two or three locks, so a one-bedroom can have as many cylinders as a small house. Co-ops and some rental buildings require the super or managing agent to hold a copy of every entrance key, so plan to cut one extra key. New York’s Multiple Dwelling Law lets tenants add their own lock to the entrance door, as long as they give the landlord a duplicate key on request. Rekeying the landlord’s lock usually needs permission first. Buildings with a master key system also need the work coordinated with management, so the building key still opens the unit.

Brownstones and Townhouses

A brownstone often has five to eight cylinders. They sit on the vestibule door, the parlor floor door, the garden-level entrance, a rear door, a yard gate, and sometimes the mailbox. Rekeying all of them in one visit keeps the service call to a single charge. Having every lock keyed alike means one key opens every door, which usually adds nothing beyond the per-cylinder fee when the locks share a brand.

High-Security Cylinders

Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and similar brands use patented keyways and restricted key blanks, which makes their locks hard to pick and their keys hard to copy. Only an authorized dealer can rekey them or cut new keys, and the owner usually needs the key control card that came with the lock. Losing that card can turn a rekey into a cylinder replacement.

When to Rekey Your Home

Rekey on the day you move in, because nobody knows how many copies of the previous key are still in circulation. The same applies after a lost key ring or a roommate moving out. Finish every renovation with a rekey too, since contractors, cleaners, and dog walkers often held copies. After a burglary, rekey or replace any lock the intruder handled, and have the door frame and strike plate inspected during the same visit.

How to Keep the Bill Fair

Schedule every lock for a single visit and request that all of them be keyed alike, since the service call is the largest fixed expense. On the phone, ask for the service call, the per-cylinder price, parts, and any after-hours charge before anyone drives out. New York City requires locksmiths to hold a license from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, so ask for the license number and check it.

Two warning signs repeat across locksmith complaints in the city. The first is a very low advertised price, such as $19 for a service call. The second is a technician who wants to drill a standard lock before trying to open or rekey it. Lock and Tech USA’s licensed locksmiths rekey and replace residential locks across the five boroughs; see our residential locksmith service.