Rekeying vs replacing locks in Brisbane
Rekeying a single Brisbane lock costs $120 to $180 including the call-out, and a whole 3 to 4 lock home runs $200 to $350. Full replacement starts at $80 to $220 per lock before the call-out — which is why rekeying is the right answer far more often than people expect.
Quick answer — rekey vs replace pricing in Brisbane
| Job | Typical Brisbane range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rekey one lock (incl. call-out) | $120 – $180 |
| Rekey whole home, 3 – 4 locks | $200 – $350 |
| Replace standard entrance set (per lock, plus call-out) | $80 – $220 |
| Replace quality deadbolt, supply & fit | $150 – $280 |
What rekeying actually does
The locksmith strips the cylinder and swaps the internal pins so a brand-new key works and every old key is dead. The hardware on your door — the part you paid for — stays put. Done properly it is exactly as secure as the lock was the day it was fitted, and it is the cheapest way to take control of who can open your doors. Most cylinders on the same job can also be keyed alike, so one key runs the whole house.
When rekeying is the right call
Just settled on a place in Coorparoo or Camp Hill and have no idea how many keys the previous owner handed out. Lost a keyring with anything identifying on it. A tenant or housemate has moved out. Or you are simply sick of carrying four keys and want everything on one. In all of those cases the existing hardware is fine — you are paying for new pins and labour, not new locks.
When replacement wins
Replace when the hardware itself is the problem: a latch that sticks or grinds, visible corrosion, damage from an attempted break-in, or an upgrade — a proper deadbolt where there is only a flimsy knob set, or a smart lock. One south side caveat runs the other way: in older Queenslanders around Annerley, Yeronga, and Moorooka, period mortice locks and character hardware can be hard to match. Rekeying or servicing the original is often both cheaper and better-looking than hunting down a lookalike replacement.
Itemised example — Coorparoo, settlement-day rekey
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Call-out (business hours) | $90 |
| Rekey first cylinder — front entrance | $75 |
| Rekey 2 further cylinders, keyed alike (back door, garage) | $110 |
| 4 new keys cut | $24 |
| Total | $299 |
Three locks, one key for the whole house, every key the previous owner ever cut now useless — for less than the price of replacing a single quality deadbolt and entrance set.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rekeyed lock as secure as a new one?
Yes — rekeying replaces the pins inside the cylinder, which is the part a key actually operates. As long as the lock body is sound, a rekeyed lock is exactly as secure as it was when new. Old keys stop working immediately.
Does keying everything alike cost extra?
Only marginally — most locksmiths charge a small per-cylinder amount on top of the rekey to pin multiple locks to one key, and many include it. The convenience of one key for the whole house is usually the best-value part of the visit.
I am renting — can I rekey the locks?
In Queensland a lock change generally needs the agreement of both lessor and tenant, with limited exceptions such as domestic violence provisions. Talk to your property manager first — landlords rarely object to a like-for-like rekey, especially if you supply them a key.
How long does rekeying take?
About 15 to 20 minutes per cylinder once the locksmith is at the door, so a typical 3-lock home is comfortably under an hour on site, including cutting the new keys.
Can every lock be rekeyed?
Most pin-tumbler locks — the standard Australian entrance sets and deadbolts — can. Some very old, damaged, or budget-grade locks cannot be economically rekeyed, in which case replacement at $80 to $220 per lock is the honest recommendation.
← Back to Brisbane locksmith cost hub