Why rekey your locks instead of replacing them?
A lock rekey keeps the hardware you already own and changes what opens it. Inside a standard pin tumbler lock is a column of small pins, and the cuts on your key lift each one to exactly the right height. Rekeying swaps those pins so the lock responds only to a new key. The old key, whether it sits in a former tenant's drawer, a previous owner's pocket, or at the bottom of a lost bag, no longer turns the cylinder.
For most Gardena homes and small businesses this is the more economical route. The deadbolt, knob, and handle set stay on the door. You don't have to match finishes, deal with new bore holes, or live with a door that no longer quite fits its hardware. If you are weighing rekeying against a full swap, our page on changing locks in Gardena covers the other side of that decision.
Rekeying is not right for every door. A lock that is worn, loose, corroded, or already failing will still be a failing lock with new pins in it. Part of our job is telling you honestly which situation you are in. If the hardware is the problem, we'll say so and point you toward lock replacement instead of selling you a rekey that won't solve anything.
How does a lock rekey work, step by step?
Here is how a typical visit goes, whether it is one front door or every cylinder on a property.
- You call (213) 577-1366, at any hour. We ask what kind of property it is, how many locks are involved, and why you want the change. That tells us what to bring on the van.
- We ask you to confirm that you live at or manage the property before we start. It is a basic safeguard, and it protects you as much as anyone.
- We look at each lock: the brand, the condition, whether the key turns smoothly, and whether it is a type that can be rekeyed. Some budget or damaged locks can't be, and we tell you right then rather than halfway through the job.
- We remove each cylinder, replace the pins, and cut new keys to match. Then we test every lock with the new key, and with the old key, to confirm the old one no longer works.
- We hand you the new keys and check that every door locks and unlocks smoothly. If you want extra copies, we can cut them while we're there; our key duplication service covers that.
- We mention anything else we noticed, such as a loose strike plate or a sticking latch, and leave the decision to you.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Where the work happens
Our mobile locksmith service brings the tools to your door, which suits most rekeys. We also keep a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, so cylinders you'd rather bring in can be handled there. Gardena is about 17 miles from that base, and the same company handles your call from start to finish, with no dispatch middleman passing the job to a stranger.
When should you rekey after moving, a tenant leaving, or lost keys?
The reasons people call us for a rekey tend to fall into a few familiar groups. If any of these describe you, the answer is probably yes.
- Rekey locks after moving or buying a house. Previous owners, agents, contractors, cleaners, and relatives may all hold keys, and you have no way to know who. Rekeying settles the question without needing the answer.
- Rekey locks after a tenant moves out. A tenant turnover rekey means the departing tenant's keys, and any copies they made, stop working before the next person moves in. It is a small job compared with the dispute you face if a former tenant's key still opens the door.
- Rekey locks after losing keys. If keys vanished somewhere that could be tied back to your address, change what they open. If you are sure they are under the couch cushions, look first; we would rather you save the visit.
- After a breakup, a roommate leaving, or letting someone go. Anyone who once had a key and shouldn't any longer is reason enough.
- When you simply want fewer keys. We can bring several doors to one key so you carry one instead of a ring.
What does a house or apartment rekey include?
A house rekey usually means the front deadbolt and knob, the back door, any side door to the garage, and sometimes a keyed patio slider or gate lock. If you want to rekey all house locks to one key, we work out which cylinders can share a keyway. Locks from different brands often use different keyways, so occasionally one cylinder has to be swapped to join the set. We tell you that before we do it.
An apartment lock rekey has a few more wrinkles. If you rent, the locks belong to the property, so check with your landlord before changing anything; a surprise rekey can create trouble with your lease. If you own a condo, the unit entry and any mailbox lock are yours to manage. If you manage several units, we can rekey them in one visit and organize the keys by unit so nothing gets mixed up.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What about commercial and business lock rekeys?
A business lock rekey is how an owner takes back control of access. When an employee leaves, a manager is replaced, or a contractor finishes, the question is the same: who still has a key? Rekeying the front door, back door, office, and storage doors answers it without ripping out hardware that still works. A commercial lock rekey also helps after a key has been lost on the job, or when nobody is sure how many copies are out there.
Some commercial locks use restricted keyways, where copies are controlled, and we explain how that works for your specific hardware in person. If many people need different levels of access, a master key system may serve you better than a pile of separate rekeys. Our broader commercial locksmith work covers the hardware beyond rekeys.
What affects the cost of lock rekeying in Gardena?
We don't post a number on this page because the honest answer depends on your doors. Here is what actually moves the cost:
- How many cylinders you want rekeyed. More locks mean more pins to swap and more keys to cut.
- The brand and type of lock. Common residential locks are routine; specialty, high-security, or older hardware can take longer or need parts.
- The condition of the lock. A smooth, clean lock rekeys easily. A sticky, worn one may need cleaning, or may not be worth rekeying.
- Whether you want everything keyed alike. Matching different brands to one key can mean swapping a cylinder.
- How many keys you want cut, and whether they are restricted keys.
- The time of day. A scheduled visit is different from a late-night call.
- The kind of job. A single front door is simple; a warehouse with roll-up door locks or a multi-unit building is a larger project.
Getting a straight quote
Rekeying is usually the lighter-cost option compared with replacing every lock, but not always. If a lock is inexpensive and badly worn, replacing it can come out close to even, and we'll say so. Call (213) 577-1366, describe what you have, and ask for the full figure before any work begins.
Rekeying homes and rentals in Hollypark, Moneta, and Strawberry Park
Gardena grew out of the farming districts of Moneta and Strawberry Park and is now largely built out with 1940s and 1950s single-family tracts, garden apartments, and condo complexes. Residential rekeys in Hollypark are a good example of the work: older tract homes with hardware that has been through years of turnover and still works fine, so the sensible move after a purchase is to rekey rather than swap. The same logic applies in Moneta and Strawberry Park, in ZIP codes like 90247, 90248, and 90249.
The city also has a high share of small multi-unit rental properties, which makes tenant turnover rekeys a regular need. When one unit turns over, that unit's locks can be rekeyed without disturbing the rest of the building. Many older Gardena homes also have security doors and window bars. We can rekey the keyed lock on a security door so it matches the main entry, or leave it on its own key if you prefer separate access.
Along Western Avenue, apartment complexes often have mailbox locks that go with a unit's turnover. If a mailbox key is missing, a rekey may not be the right fix, and our mailbox lock replacement page explains when a swap makes more sense.
On the weather side, Gardena sits on the inland coastal plain. Marine layer mornings are damp, but there is minimal direct salt exposure, so coastal corrosion is rarely the issue. The more common effect is a door that swells slightly on damp mornings and feels like a bad lock when the real culprit is the frame. We check that before we blame the cylinder, which saves you from paying for work you don't need.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Rekeying storefronts, warehouses, and corridor businesses
Commercial rekeys in Gardena follow the shape of the city. Along the Gardena Boulevard old downtown strip, storefront rekeys are common after a tenant change or a staff change: the front door, rear door, and any back-room lock all get new keys. Along the Rosecrans and Artesia corridors, light-industrial buildings mix with homes, and warehouse and roll-up door lock service is part of the picture. A rekey there often includes padlock and cylinder checks on the doors that see the most use.
Businesses near the Redondo Beach Boulevard casino corridor tend to have more people with keys and more turnover, which is the case where a rekey does the most good. A clean reset of who can open what is easier than tracking down every key that has left the building. For anything beyond a rekey, we can talk through what makes sense on the spot.
Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a rekey?
We have been in business since 1987 and serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Gardena. That experience shows up in small ways: knowing when a lock can be rekeyed and when it can't, and saying so before the work starts.
We are one company with a storefront in Westwood and mobile service vans, not a call center that hands your job to whoever is nearest. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. The phone at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
One more piece of advice that applies to any locksmith: California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask whoever comes to your door for it. A good tradesperson will not mind being asked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rekeying and changing locks?
Rekeying keeps your existing lock and changes the internal pins so a new key works and the old one doesn't. Changing locks means replacing the hardware itself. Rekeying is usually the more economical route when the hardware is in good shape; replacement makes sense when it is worn or damaged.
Will my old keys still work after a rekey?
No. That is the point. Once the pins are changed, the old key can no longer lift them to the right height, so it won't turn. We test each lock with the old key to confirm it, before we leave.
Can every lock be rekeyed?
Most standard pin tumbler locks can, but not all. Badly worn, damaged, or very low-quality locks sometimes can't be rekeyed reliably, and some specialty hardware needs parts. We check each one first and tell you plainly if a lock should be replaced instead.
Should I rekey after buying a house in Gardena?
Yes, it is one of the most sensible things a new owner can do. You can't know how many keys previous owners, agents, or contractors hold. Rekeying the entry doors costs less than replacing them and gives you a fresh start.
Can I rekey all the locks in my house to one key?
Often, yes. If your locks are the same brand and type, it is simple. If they are mixed, we may have to swap one cylinder so everything shares a keyway. We tell you before we do it, so there are no surprises.
Do I need to be home during a rekey?
Someone who lives at or manages the property should be there at the start so we can confirm authorization and get access to each lock. It is also easier to hand you the new keys directly and test every door with you.
Do landlords need to rekey between tenants?
Many landlords do, because it ensures a departing tenant's keys no longer work. Your specific obligations are a legal question, so check with your own attorney or rental guidance. For the work itself, we handle tenant turnover rekeys one unit or many; see our locksmith for landlords page for more.
Is a rekeyed lock less secure than a new one?
No. The security of a lock comes mostly from the quality of the hardware. Rekeying changes the key that operates it, so a good lock stays a good lock. A cheap or worn lock stays just as it was, which is why we assess condition before rekeying.
More locksmith help in Gardena
Lock Rekey near Gardena
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.