🚨 Emergency 📞 (615) 625-8000
Nashville Rekey Service • Lic #406

Secure Your Home Without Replacing Hardware

Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work. It’s the most cost-effective way to regain key control.

🏪 In-Shop
$20 / cyl

Bring locks to Thompson Ln

🚐 Mobile
$45+

We come to you

🔑 Keying
1 Key

Front/Back/Garage match

  • Old keys become useless
  • No new deadbolts needed
  • Clean, no-scratch finish
  • Smooth turn testing
Family Owned 4.9-Star Rating Nashville Local
Keypad rekey
Residential rekey
Tech: Kawa | High-Security Specialist

Recent Work: High-Security Rekeying by Kawa

See the quality difference in our recent projects. One of our lead technicians, Kawa, recently handled a complex rekeying project for a historic home in East Nashville (pictured in our portfolio). The homeowner had vintage Baldwin entry sets that are expensive to replace ($400+ per handle).

Disassembled: the solid brass mortise cylinders.
Cleaned: the internal housing to remove years of graphite buildup (a common mistake homeowners make).
Rekeyed: to a high-security biting code, ensuring the old contractor keys would never work again.
Result: The locks now operate smoother than the day they were installed, saving the customer over $1,000 in hardware costs.
Kawa’s Note

"When you look at the cylinder face after we finish, you won't see scratches or tool marks. We use specialized followers and shims to protect the finish of your hardware, whether it's an antique brass Schlage or a modern matte black Kwikset."

Kawa rekeying vintage lock
Vintage Baldwin Cylinder
Final rekey result by Kawa
Protected Finish

Why We Recommend Rekeying Over Replacement

In our experience servicing homes from Green Hills to Antioch, we find that 90% of customers don't actually need new locks—they just need key control.

💰

Cost Efficiency

You only pay for labor and small parts (pins/springs), rather than expensive hardware assemblies.

🛡️

Security

Once we finish, any previous keys (held by realtors, contractors, or previous owners) become useless.

🔑

Convenience

We can perform "Keyed Alike" services, reconfiguring all your entry points—front door, back door, and garage—to operate with a single key.

How it works

We replace the bottom pins to match a new key, rendering the old key useless. The lock body stays; the combination changes.

Common Scenarios
🏡 New Home Purchase

Whether it's Belle Meade or Antioch, you never know who has a copy. Resetting your locks should be day-one priority.

🔑 Lost Keys

Locked out? We can pick the lock without damage, get you in, and rekey it immediately so the lost key creates no risk.

🏢 Tenant Turnover

Landlords and property managers: We offer master key systems that give you access to all units while giving tenants individual privacy.

Why Recommend Rekeying?

90% of customers don't need new locks—they just need key control.

💰

Cost Efficiency

Pay for labor and small parts (pins), not expensive hardware.

🛡️

Security

Old keys become instantly useless once we finish.

🔑

Convenience

Front door, back door, garage—all working on a single key.

Pro-Tip from the Bench
If you have high-end hardware like Baldwin or Schlage, do not throw them away just because you lost a key. The internal cylinders are standard and easily serviceable. Bring them to our shop to save money—we can often make these locks "bump-proof" during the rekeying process.
As a licensed local locksmith (License #406), we see specific scenarios where rekeying is the only logical choice.
🏡 New Homeowners

You’ve just bought a house in Belle Meade or The Gulch. You don't know who has a copy of the old key. We come out, decode the existing locks, and reset them.

🔑 Lost Keys

If you are locked out and have no spare, we can pick the lock without damaging the hardware. Once inside, we can generate a new key from scratch and rekey the rest of the house to match it.

🏢 Tenant Turnover

For landlords near Vanderbilt or Germantown, rekeying is standard maintenance. We can even set up Master Key Systems where your master key opens all units, but tenants can only open their specific door.

Our Nashville Rekeying Process

When our mobile van arrives at your location (or if you bring locks to our shop), here is exactly what happens:

1
Disassembly

We remove the lock from the door and extract the cylinder.

2
Pinning

We dump the old tumbler pins.

3
Recoding

We insert precision-cut pins that align perfectly with your new key's depth cuts.

4
Testing

We test the key for smooth rotation—no catching or jiggling allowed.

Reinstallation

We reinstall the hardware and lubricate the mechanism.

Heavy Duty Residential Lock Rekeyed
Standard & Heavy Duty Hardware Service
Still unsure? Call (615) 625-8000
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace?

Rekeying is significantly cheaper. When you replace a lock, you pay for the heavy metal housing, the bolt, and the trim. When we rekey, we only change the small internal pins ($20). You keep your hardware, but get a new key.

Can you rekey if I lost the old key?
Yes. We do not need the original key. We can pick the cylinder to remove it, and then decode the chamber depths to cut a brand new key. This is a standard service for lockouts or lost key situations.
How long does a whole house take?
An average home with 3 doors (Deadbolt + Knob on each) usually takes about 45–60 minutes. We carry all pin kits and cutting machines in the van, so the work is done in one trip.
Do you warranty the work?
Absolutely. We guarantee the smooth operation of the cylinder. If your key sticks, jiggles, or is difficult to turn after our service, we will return to adjust the pin heights at no cost.
Ready to Secure Your Home?

Stop Overpaying for New Hardware.

Bring your cylinders to the shop for $20/lock or let us come to you.

Armstrong Locksmith Shop Service
Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Tennessee License #406 • Since 2005