Why change your locks after buying a house or moving?
When you get the keys to a new place, you get one set of keys. You do not get a list of everyone else who holds one. Previous owners, their relatives, a former tenant, a contractor, a real estate agent, a neighbor who watered the plants: any of them may still have a working copy. Nobody has to be untrustworthy for that to be a problem. A key that was handed out casually years ago is simply a key you did not choose to give anyone.
That is why changing the locks is the first thing we suggest to anyone who just bought a house or moved in. It is one of the few security steps that is quick, inexpensive compared with most home projects, and permanent in its effect. Once the locks are changed, the old keys stop working, and you know exactly how many copies exist because you made them.
The same reasoning applies after a breakup, after a roommate moves out, after a lost wallet or purse with your address in it, and after a burglary or attempted break-in. The situation is different each time, but the fix is the same: make the old keys useless.
If you are searching for a locksmith for a new house in Pico Rivera, you are probably in the middle of a busy week with boxes, utilities, and paperwork. We try to make this the easy item on the list. One phone call to (213) 577-1366, a short conversation about your doors, and we come to you.
Rekey or replace locks: how do you decide?
People say “change the locks” and mean two different things. Knowing the difference saves you money and a second visit.
Rekeying keeps your existing lock hardware but changes the inside of the cylinder so that a new key works and the old keys do not. The lock looks the same from outside. Replacing means taking the lock off the door and putting a different one on. Both give you a door that old keys will not open. They are different tools for different situations. You can read more about each on our lock rekey and lock replacement pages. Here is how we usually sort it out on site.
- Rekey when the hardware is sound, the finish is acceptable, and you mainly want new keys. This is common for deadbolts and knob sets in decent condition, and it is usually the more economical route.
- Replace when the lock is worn, loose, corroded, damaged from a past break-in attempt, or simply a style you dislike.
- Replace when the lock is a low-grade builder or hardware-store model and you want something better at the front door.
- Replace when you want to move to a different kind of lock altogether, such as a keypad or smart lock.
- Rekey when you want every lock on the property to work with one key. We can often match the cylinders so you carry a single key instead of a ring of them.
- Either option may be right when a lock is old but still works. We look at the lock in your hand and tell you what we see.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366How we change locks, step by step
We keep the process simple and we explain each step as we go, so you are never guessing what you are paying for.
- You call (213) 577-1366. A person answers, any hour, any day. Tell us the address, how many exterior doors you have, and whether you are trying to rekey or replace or are not sure.
- We talk through your situation. A new homeowner with five exterior doors and a garage entry needs a different plan than a renter with one door. We tell you what we recommend and what drives the cost before anyone drives out.
- A technician arrives in one of our mobile service vans with the tools and a range of hardware on board. David oversees the work as owner and lead technician.
- We inspect every lock that matters: front door, back door, side doors, garage entry, any security screen door lock, and gate locks if you want those included. We check the door and the strike plate too, because a good lock on a loose frame is not much security.
- We give you the plan and the cost basis before work begins. If we found something you did not expect, such as a cracked strike plate or a lock that cannot be rekeyed, we tell you then.
- We rekey or replace the locks, cut the new keys, and test each lock several times with the door open and closed.
- We hand over the keys, show you how everything operates, and make sure the old keys no longer work. If you want extra copies, we can handle key duplication on the spot.
What affects the cost of changing locks in Pico Rivera?
We do not quote numbers on a web page because the honest answer depends on your doors. We would rather tell you what moves the cost up or down so you can judge any quote you receive, ours included.
The biggest factor is whether you rekey or replace. Rekeying generally costs less than new hardware because you are keeping the lock body. Replacing adds the cost of the lock itself, which ranges widely by grade, brand, and finish.
The number of locks matters. A house with a front door, back door, and garage entry is more work than a single apartment door. Some of that work is repeated and goes faster, but each cylinder still has to be handled and tested.
Lock type matters too. Standard knobs and deadbolts are straightforward. High-security cylinders, restricted keyways, electronic locks, and multipoint hardware take more time and cost more parts.
Condition matters. A lock that is seized, damaged, or fitted badly may need more than a swap. A door that no longer lines up with its strike plate can add a repair step.
Timing plays a role. A scheduled visit during the day is usually the lighter-cost option. A call in the middle of the night is a different kind of service because we are staffing it around the clock, and the price reflects that.
Finally, distance and access can matter. We tell you what applies when you call, before we dispatch, so there are no surprises at the door.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a lock change?
We have been in business since 1987. That is a long time to have been fixing, rekeying, and installing locks across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and we now serve 140 cities. We are a real company with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans that come to you.
A few things about how we work are worth knowing before you pick a locksmith.
- One company, no middlemen. The person who answers the phone is part of the company that sends the technician. We do not hand your job to a dispatch network that sends whoever is nearest.
- David oversees the work. He is the owner and lead technician, and the standards for how we do a lock change come from him.
- We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. If you discover at night that you need locks changed, you can call.
- We explain before we work. You hear what we recommend and why, including when the lighter-cost option is the right one.
- We will tell you when you do not need to replace something. A lock that can be rekeyed should usually be rekeyed.
Changing locks in Pico Rivera: what we see around town
Pico Rivera is mostly post-war single-family housing. The city grew from the former Pico and Rivera communities, which grew together through the 1950s and incorporated in 1958, and owner-occupancy is high. For lock changes, that means a lot of people who have recently bought a home in one of these established neighborhoods and want to start fresh with their own keys. If you are buying in the 90660 ZIP code, a lock change is a natural item for your first week.
In the post-war tracts around Smith Park, residential rekeys are a routine job for us. A house there often has a front entry, a back door, and a garage side door, and a new owner wants all of them on one key. That is exactly the kind of job where rekeying fits: we keep the hardware that still works, match the cylinders, and hand you a single key. Whether you live near Smith Park or in the Historic Pico district or Historic Rivera district, the logic is the same. Older hardware that is in good shape usually rekeys fine, while worn or mismatched locks are better replaced.
In the El Rancho area around El Rancho High School, wrought-iron security doors are common, and so are gated driveways. That adds locks to think about. A lock change there often has two parts: the main entry lock behind the security door, and the lock on the security door or gate itself. If you are changing locks, ask to include all of them, or you may have a new deadbolt and an old key still opening the screen door. For the gate side, our gate lock repair page covers what we do when the gate hardware itself is worn.
Along the Whittier Boulevard and Rosemead Boulevard corridors, small apartment buildings cluster among the houses. Tenants moving into those buildings sometimes ask us about changing locks, and we explain it plainly: if you rent, check your lease and talk to your landlord first, since the lock is usually theirs to change. Landlords and property managers can call us for turnover lock changes, and we cover that on our locksmith for landlords page.
On the climate side, Pico Rivera sits between the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River channels on the inland plain. Summers are warm and dry, and there is no meaningful salt-air exposure, so locks here do not corrode the way they do near the coast. The one thing we do see is minor sticking in older wood doors from seasonal temperature swings. That is a door issue, not a lock issue, and we look at it during a lock change so you do not blame a new lock for a swollen door.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Which lock upgrades make sense when you change locks?
A lock change is a good moment to improve a few things, because the door is already open and the tools are out. You do not have to upgrade anything, but here is what we usually talk through.
- Deadbolts. If your front door has only a knob lock, a deadbolt adds real resistance. Our deadbolt installation page explains what that involves, including whether your door can take one.
- Smart locks. Keypad and app-controlled locks suit people who want to give out temporary codes instead of copies of keys. Our smart lock installation page covers when a smart lock is a good fit and when a standard lock is simpler.
- Strike plates and door frames. Long screws in the strike plate make the whole door harder to force. We check this on every lock change.
- Matching keys. One key for the front, back, and garage entries is easier to live with than three. It is also less likely to be left under a mat.
- Mailbox locks. If your mailbox has a lock that the previous owner may have keyed, ask us about it.
- Security screen doors. Where you have one, we recommend including its lock in the change.
What if you are locked out, or you lost your keys?
Sometimes the call is not planned. You moved in, someone has the only key, and you are standing outside. Or you lost your keys and want locks changed right away because your address was on a keychain.
If you are locked out first, we handle that as a house lockout and can change the locks in the same visit if you want. Getting in without damaging the door is the first priority. After that, if you suspect the lost keys could be misused, we rekey or replace so that the lost keys stop working.
If you have lost keys and are worried about them, do not wait to see if they turn up. A lock change is a modest cost compared with worrying about it, and in most cases it is done in one visit.
What should you ask any locksmith before they work on your door?
Before you hire any locksmith, ask a few direct questions. California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), called an LCO license. Ask any locksmith for their license number, and check it. That is a fair question, and a real company will answer it without fuss.
Also ask for the company name and address. A business with a real storefront is easier to find if something goes wrong. Ask what drives the cost and whether the person who quotes the job is the same person who does it. Be careful with anyone who will not explain the price until after the work is done.
We are happy to answer all of this when you call (213) 577-1366. If you would like to see where we serve, our Pico Rivera locksmith page lists the services we offer in town.
Frequently asked questions
Should I change the locks when I buy a house in Pico Rivera?
Yes, in almost every case. You cannot know who has a copy of the old keys. Changing the locks is the simplest way to make sure only you and the people you choose can get in. Most new owners do it in the first few days, before or right after moving their belongings.
Is it better to rekey or replace my locks?
If your locks are in good working condition and you just want new keys, rekeying is usually the more economical route. If the hardware is worn, damaged, or low-grade, or you want something different like a smart lock, replacing makes more sense. We look at your locks and tell you which one fits.
Can you change all the locks so they use one key?
Often, yes. We can rekey compatible locks so a single key works on the front, back, and other doors. Some locks cannot be matched, and in that case we may replace one or two with locks that can. We tell you before we start.
How much does it cost to change locks?
It depends on whether you rekey or replace, how many locks you have, what type they are, and what time you need us. Rekeying is generally lighter in cost than new hardware, and a daytime appointment generally costs less than an overnight call. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will explain what applies to your doors.
Can you come out at night or on a weekend?
Yes. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Call (213) 577-1366 any time and we will tell you what we can do. If it can safely wait for daytime, we will say so, since that is often easier on the budget.
Do I need to be home while you change the locks?
Someone should be there, or you should arrange access with us, because we test every lock and hand over the keys in person. If you are a landlord or an out-of-town buyer, call us and we can work out how to coordinate it.
I rent in Pico Rivera. Can I change my own locks?
Check your lease and talk to your landlord first. In most rentals the lock belongs to the property, and changes need permission. If your landlord agrees, we can do the work. Landlords can also call us to change locks between tenants.
Do you also change locks on security screen doors and gates?
Yes. Wrought-iron security doors and gated driveways are common in Pico Rivera, and we recommend including them when you change locks. Otherwise an old key may still open the security door. We can rekey or replace those locks along with your main entry.
Are you a licensed locksmith company?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for their license number before they work on your property. Call us at (213) 577-1366 and we will go over our credentials and answer your questions directly.
More locksmith help in Pico Rivera
Change Locks near Pico Rivera
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.