What does it cost you to change locks when turning a rental?

Question

I have 3 locks, each with a deadbolt (front door, back door and garage) so I supposed that makes 6 locks.

It’s typically cost me about $400 to rekey them.

I feel I’m doing something wrong.

Thoughts?  How can I beat reduce this cost?

What is reasonable to pay each time I turn the property?

Kyle J. · Answer

@Steve S. Many years ago I switched all the locks in my rentals to the Kwikset SmartKey locks. Since then, whenever tenants move out, I can easily rekey the locks myself. I can do an entire house in about 5 minutes and it costs me nothing. Very easy to do and never had any issues with them.

John Underwood · Answer

You can get a typical locker for $40 to $50. Buy a few different ones and rotate them around when needed.

You can also get the kwikset smart locksets that can be rekeyed with the original key and a special tool that comes with the locks. Takes less than 60 seconds to reset to a different key.

Greg M. · Answer

$400!! Wow, that is crazy expensive. I paid around $150 to fix a broken lock, rekey multiple locks ,and provide extra new keys. Assuming they aren't some fancy high end locks, you could replace them cheaper than $400.

I used to have a couple of identical looking locks and would just switch the lock and rotate them as tenants moved out. You can also find locks that it is very easy for you to rekey. With help of a YouTube video, you can figure it out in a couple of minutes. You could also consider switching to an electronic lock that can be reprogrammed easily. Some allow for the reprogramming remotely.

Ricardo P. · Answer

400?? That’s a whole lot Of money buddie!! hold your horses! I tend to purchase new locks at the Home Depot for I think $50. They come in a pack of 2. I install them myself in about 5min tops

Chris R. · Answer

We buy the Schlage electronic code deadbolt/handle combo. Costs about $120 each and it’s free to change the code as many times as you want. Solid as a rock and we’ve never had an issue with them. Buy once, cry once.

Kenny Dahill · Answer

@Steve S., in the past I paid $75 per door.  Although that was for sliding patio doors which are a little more difficult.

Go with the Kiwiset Smartlock.  It's an investment up front but will pay off.

Steve S. · Answer

Thanks for the suggestions!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Three options:

1. Let's say you have three houses. Purchase a fourth set of locks and keep them available. When House A comes open, put the spare lock set on and keep the lock set for the next vacancy. Continue to swap locksets between rentals as they open.

2. Change with a new lockset each time. You can get a doorknob and deadbolt for $25. That's $100 if you include your time.

3. Kwikset Smartkey lets you change the cylindars and keys in less than a minute. That's 10 minutes to rekey a house with three doorknobs and three deadbolts.

Bill B. · Answer

$155 4 days Ago in Vegas included picking two front door locks, replacing 3 locks and rekeying 4 Remaining locks.

What does it cost you to change locks when turning a rental?

Most Popular Reply