Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Kwikset Lock Rekeying: The Los Angeles Owner’s Guide
Kwikset lock rekeying in Los Angeles typically runs $45-$85 per cylinder when done on-site, and we carry the full pin kit for every major Kwikset series on our service trucks. Most residential rekeys in Los Angeles are completed in 20-40 minutes per lock, and we can usually schedule same-day service when you call (818) 390-9007. Homeowners usually discover they need a rekey after moving into a new place, losing a key, or when a tenant, contractor, or former partner still has access they should not.
Which Kwikset Models This Applies To
We rekey the full Kwikset residential and light commercial lineup. The most common in Los Angeles homes are the SmartKey series (KW1 keyway, introduced 2008), the classic UltraMax Security and Titan lines, and the entry-level Tylo, Delta, and Juno knobsets and deadbolts. If your key has “KW1” or “KW10” stamped on the bow, or your deadbolt faceplate reads “Kwikset” above the keyway, we can rekey it. SmartKey cylinders have a small slot next to the keyhole - that’s your visual tell.
Here’s where it gets specific: SmartKey cylinders cannot be rekeyed with traditional pin kits. They use a sidebar and wafer system that requires the original working key plus Kwikset’s proprietary reset cradle. If you’ve lost the working key, the cylinder usually needs replacement, not rekeying. We stock both SmartKey replacement cores and traditional pinned cylinders on our trucks, so we can solve either scenario in one visit without a return trip.
We are an independent service provider - not affiliated with Kwikset - and we source OEM cylinders as well as quality aftermarket equivalents from GMS and Ilco when they match the spec exactly. For most Los Angeles homes built between 1995 and 2015, the original hardware is standard KW1 pinned brass; for anything 2016 or newer, we check for SmartKey first.
Signs Your Kwikset Lock Rekeying Is Failing
- The key turns but the bolt does not retract. This usually means the tailpiece has slipped or the cam inside the cylinder has worn flat. Rekeying alone won’t fix it - the cylinder needs replacement - but we diagnose this before touching anything so you don’t pay for a rekey you don’t need.
- The key sticks or requires jiggling at certain angles. Worn pins, accumulated dust from Santa Ana wind season, or a key that has been duplicated too many times at hardware-store kiosks. A proper rekey with factory-spec pins and a clean key cut to code solves this.
- You can remove the key while the door is unlocked. The cam is not rotating fully to the neutral position, often because someone forced the key when the bolt was binding. Rekeying replaces the pins but we also inspect cam wear so the problem does not repeat.
- The SmartKey reset tool will not seat or the cylinder clicks but does not accept the new key. SmartKey housings crack internally more often than Kwikset admits, especially in dry Los Angeles heat where plastic fatigue accelerates. We carry replacement SmartKey cores and can convert to traditional pinned cylinders if you prefer.
- Multiple keys exist and you cannot account for who has them. Not a mechanical failure, but the most common trigger for rekeying. We rekey to a new key code and cut fresh keys on-site so old copies become inert metal.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range in Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Standard Kwikset rekey (per cylinder, keyed alike) | $45 - $65 |
| SmartKey core replacement (lost working key) | $75 - $95 |
| Convert SmartKey to traditional pinned cylinder | $85 - $125 |
| Additional keys cut (first 2 included) | $4 - $7 each |
| After-hours or holiday service | Same range, no surcharge |
What drives the range: SmartKey cores cost more in parts, and converting to a traditional cylinder requires removing the old housing and installing new hardware. We quote the full price on the phone before dispatching a technician, and that number matches the invoice exactly - no call-out fee added on arrival, no “service charge” surprise. Every rekey carries our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if a pin slips, a key does not work smoothly, or anything about the job feels off, we return and make it right at no charge.
DIY or Call Us?
Here’s what you can safely check yourself: verify the brand name on the faceplate, count how many cylinders need rekeying, and gather every existing key. If you have a SmartKey system and the original working key, Kwikset’s reset procedure is straightforward - but if you’ve lost that key, DIY replacement requires disassembling the lockset, and the retaining clip on many Kwikset deadbolts is under spring tension that can launch across a room.
We do not recommend disassembling any lock cylinder unless you have pinning tweezers, a follower tool, and a clean workspace. The top pins are under light spring pressure and the bottom pins are tiny brass cylinders easy to lose on a tile floor. More importantly, if you reassemble incorrectly, the cylinder may appear to work but fail to lock - which you might not discover until you’re outside with a door that won’t secure. Shane Delaney put it this way: “You should know exactly what is happening to your door before I pick up a tool.” We apply the same standard to our own work. For the cost of a rekey, the risk of a botched DIY job rarely pencils out.
When you call (818) 390-9007, we ask the right questions to determine if you need a rekey, a core replacement, or full hardware upgrade - no guesswork, no dispatch until we know what we’re walking into.
FAQs
A properly pinned Kwikset cylinder lasts 10-15 years under normal residential use in Los Angeles. The dry climate here is actually easier on brass pins than humid coastal environments, though dust accumulation from Santa Ana events can accelerate wear if the keyway is never cleaned. We lubricate with graphite-free, pet-safe Houdini Lock Lube during every rekey. Call (818) 390-9007 if your key starts sticking before that window - estimates are free.
Rekeying is a repair: it replaces the worn or compromised pin stack with new factory-spec pins. If the cylinder housing itself is cracked, the cam is worn, or the tailpiece is damaged, we replace those components and rekey the new cylinder to your new code. We diagnose which path you need before quoting. Call (818) 390-9007 and we’ll walk through what you’re seeing.
Most single-cylinder rekeys in Los Angeles take 20-30 minutes on-site. A full home with three entry doors keyed alike runs 45-60 minutes. We bring the full pin kit, key cutting equipment, and replacement cores on every truck, so there’s no return visit. Call (818) 390-9007 to schedule - same day when our calendar allows.
Yes. We carry KW1 and KW10 pin kits in all standard depths, SmartKey replacement cores, traditional pinned cylinders, and key blanks for every Kwikset series we service. We also stock Schlage and Medeco hardware for homes with mixed brands. If your Los Angeles property has Kwikset hardware, we almost certainly have what we need already on the truck. Call (818) 390-9007 to confirm availability for your specific model.
Written by Shane Delaney, Owner & Lead Technician, Blackthorn Locksmith & Security at Blackthorn Locksmith & Security, serving Los Angeles and nearby areas.