How to Know If It’s Time to Rekey Your Locks in Phoenix
Rekeying your locks is one of the easiest ways to improve your home or business security—without spending a fortune. But how do you know when it’s the right time? If you live in Phoenix, especially in neighborhoods like Deer Valley, Coronado, or Sunnyslope, knowing when to rekey your locks can help protect your family, your property, and your peace of mind.
Rekeying isn’t something most people think about until they lose a key or have a break-in—but waiting too long can leave you vulnerable. Let’s explore the top reasons you may need to rekey your locks and how this simple service can prevent future problems.
What Is Rekeying and Why Does It Matter?
Rekeying is a locksmith service that changes the internal pins of your lock so that the old key no longer works. You keep your existing hardware, but get a new set of keys that match the newly reconfigured lock. It’s fast, cost-effective, and ideal for both residential and commercial properties.
Unlike replacing locks entirely, rekeying maintains the aesthetics and hardware you already have while restoring full control over who has access.
For homeowners in neighborhoods like Ahwatukee Foothills or Roosevelt Row, rekeying provides quick security with minimal disruption. For businesses in Midtown or the Warehouse District, it offers a discreet, budget-friendly way to limit employee access after turnover.
Top Signs It’s Time to Rekey Your Locks
1. You’ve Just Moved In
This is the #1 reason people rekey—and it’s the most important.
Even if the seller handed you a full key set, you never know who else has copies. From former roommates and family members to contractors and neighbors, it’s impossible to track everyone who may have had access.
If you just bought a home in Biltmore, Encanto, or South Mountain, rekeying your locks should be one of your first tasks. It’s a small move that gives you total peace of mind in your new space.
2. You’ve Lost Your Keys (or Had Them Stolen)
Misplacing your keys might seem harmless—until they fall into the wrong hands.
If your keys were lost near a shopping center, gym, or parked car, there’s a risk someone could trace them back to your address. The same goes if your keys were stolen from a purse, backpack, or vehicle.
Rekeying eliminates that worry instantly by making all old keys obsolete.
3. You’ve Gone Through a Breakup, Divorce, or Roommate Move-Out
If someone who once lived with you or had access to your property is no longer in your life, it’s a good time to rekey.
You may trust that person, but there’s no guarantee they didn’t make copies—or share the key with others. Rekeying ensures that chapter of your life is closed and your space is truly private again.
This applies to both homes and businesses in areas like Melrose, Garfield, or Grand Avenue where rental units and shared living spaces are common.
4. You’ve Had a Break-In or Attempted Entry
If someone recently broke into—or tried to break into—your property, you should rekey your locks immediately.
Even if the intruder didn’t use a key, your locks may have been damaged or picked. Rekeying resets access and gives you fresh keys and security peace of mind.
Pair this with additional upgrades like deadbolts or smart locks for layered protection.
5. Too Many People Have Copies
Over time, it’s easy to lose track of who has a key. Babysitters, cleaners, dog walkers, houseguests, contractors—you name it. Even trusted friends or family might still have a copy they forgot to return.
Rekeying gives you a clean slate so you’re back in control.
If you run an Airbnb in Willo or Coronado, rekeying between long-term stays is a good habit to get into, especially when dealing with physical keys over keypads.
6. Your Business Had Employee Turnover
If your Phoenix business recently had staff changes—especially if an employee left on bad terms—you should consider rekeying. This is especially true if your doors still rely on physical keys or master key systems.
Rekeying limits access to current staff and keeps your business protected.
We’ve helped restaurants, salons, offices, and warehouses throughout Downtown Phoenix and Uptown rekey their doors after management changes, employee exits, or internal restructuring.
7. You’ve Renovated or Hired Contractors
If you’ve recently had contractors, plumbers, painters, or repair crews working in your home or office, there’s a good chance you gave them temporary access. Whether it was a garage code, a copy of a key, or just leaving the door unlocked, your space was less secure.
Once the work is finished, it’s smart to rekey and reset access. This is common in communities like Arcadia Lite and Desert View where remodeling is on the rise.
How Often Should You Rekey?
There’s no fixed rule, but as a guideline:
- Rekey every time you move into a new place
- Rekey after major life or business changes
- Rekey every 2–5 years as a security refresh
- Rekey anytime you feel uneasy about who has access
Some clients even schedule annual rekeying as part of their home maintenance routine—just like changing HVAC filters or smoke detector batteries.
Rekeying vs. Lock Replacement: Which Is Better?
Lock replacement is a bigger investment and usually only necessary when:
- The hardware is damaged or outdated
- You’re upgrading to smart locks or deadbolts
- You want to change the style or finish of the locks
Rekeying is the better choice for 80% of situations. It’s cheaper, faster, and achieves the same goal: removing old access and giving you new control.
Rekeying is Quick, Affordable, and Smart
At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm, we rekey homes, offices, rentals, and commercial spaces all across Phoenix—often on the same day you call.
We work in neighborhoods like Eastlake Park, Moon Valley, and Sunnyslope, bringing expert locksmith services right to your door. Whether you need one lock rekeyed or an entire building, we’re ready.
Our team is:
- Licensed, background-checked, and experienced
- Fast and friendly
- Equipped for on-site rekeying of most locks, including smart-compatible cylinders
We also help you create a master key system or unify your home’s locks to work with one single key for convenience.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Rekeying isn’t just a reaction—it’s prevention. You don’t want to wait until something happens to realize someone else might still have a way into your property.
If you’re questioning whether it’s time to rekey, it probably is. Rekeying your locks with a local, trusted Phoenix locksmith is one of the simplest steps you can take to improve your security and peace of mind.
Feel Safer with Every Turn of the Key
Rekeying gives you control, confidence, and security—without the hassle of replacing all your locks. If you’re unsure whether it’s time, let us help you decide. One visit from our Phoenix locksmiths could make all the difference.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com