Lock Replacement in Sydney

In short

What this is: Removing an old, worn, damaged or compromised lock and fitting new hardware — or, where the lock is still mechanically sound, rekeying it so the old keys stop working.
Who it is for: Homeowners, tenants and businesses in Sydney who have lost keys, moved into a new property, had a break-in attempt, or are dealing with a lock that has simply worn out.
What it solves: It ends the uncertainty about who holds a working key, and restores a door that locks properly.
Where: Sydney and surrounding suburbs, as a mobile service. We come to the door.
Replacement or rekey?: If the lock still works well, rekeying is usually cheaper and just as effective at cancelling old keys. If the lock is damaged, worn or the wrong grade for the door, replacement is the better spend.
Next step: Call 02 90308829 and describe the door and what has happened.

Most people call about lock replacement for one of two reasons: something has gone wrong with the lock, or something has gone wrong with who holds the keys. The right fix is different in each case, and it is worth a short conversation before committing to new hardware.

When a lock should be replaced

The lock is physically damaged. A cylinder that has been drilled, snapped, levered or forced during a break-in attempt should not be trusted again, even if it still turns.
It is worn out. Locks have a service life. A key that has to be jiggled, lifted or held at an angle is a lock telling you it is near the end.
The key has broken inside more than once. Repeated breakages usually point to a worn cylinder or a badly cut key, not bad luck.
The hardware is the wrong grade for the door. A light internal-grade latch on an exposed external door is a weak point regardless of its condition.
You cannot account for every key. If keys have been lost, stolen, or handed around and never returned, and rekeying is not possible on that hardware, replacement is the clean answer.
The lock no longer suits how the property is used. A share house, a short-term rental or a business with staff turnover has different needs to a single-occupant home.

Rekeying: the cheaper alternative worth asking about

Rekeying changes the internal pins of an existing lock so that it works with a new key and no longer works with the old one. The lock body, the handle and the visible hardware stay where they are.

Rekeying usually makes sense when:

the lock is in good working order and appropriate for the door
you have moved into a property and do not know who else holds a key
a tenancy has ended and keys were not all returned
a relationship, a housemate arrangement or an employment arrangement has ended
you want several doors to open with one key, and the hardware allows it

Replacement usually makes more sense when the lock is damaged or worn, when the hardware is not up to the job, or when the lock is a type that cannot practically be rekeyed. Ask which applies to your door — a locksmith who only ever recommends the more expensive option is worth a second opinion.

Types of locks we replace

entrance sets and knob sets on front and back doors
deadbolts and deadlatches
mortice locks on older Sydney homes and terraces
sliding door and patio locks
window locks and security screen door locks
euro cylinders and oval cylinders
garage, gate and shed hardware
commercial glass door locks and panic hardware
digital and smart locks, where the door and power arrangement suit them

Restricted and patented key systems are a separate matter: keys can only be cut with the authorisation of the registered owner of the system, which in an apartment building is usually the strata manager. If your key is stamped “do not duplicate” or carries a system number, mention it when you call.

How a lock replacement runs

We look at the door, not just the lock. A door that has dropped, swollen or shifted on its hinges will chew through new hardware the same way it chewed through the old. Sometimes the fix is alignment, not a new lock.
We confirm what the door needs. Backset, door thickness, existing cut-outs and whether the door is timber, aluminium or glass all determine what will actually fit.
We set out the options. Typically a like-for-like replacement, an upgrade, or a rekey — with the cost difference explained.
We fit and test the hardware. The lock is installed, the door is tested locked and unlocked, from inside and out.
You get the keys and the old hardware. You should leave the job knowing exactly how many keys exist.

What affects the cost

Beyond the $29 callout fee, the price of a replacement depends on the hardware itself and the work involved:

the type, brand and security grade of the replacement lock
how many doors and locks are involved
whether the existing cut-outs match the new hardware or the door needs modification
whether the door or frame needs adjustment as well
the number of keys required
the time of day, and weekend or public holiday rates

Frequently asked questions

Is rekeying as secure as replacing the lock?

For the purpose of cancelling old keys, yes — a rekeyed lock will not open with the previous key. What rekeying does not do is improve a lock that was weak, worn or damaged to begin with, because you are keeping the same hardware. If your concern is “who has a key”, rekey. If your concern is “is this lock any good”, replace.

I have just moved into a house in Sydney. Should I change the locks?

It is a sensible precaution. Previous owners or tenants, tradespeople, cleaners, agents and former housemates may all have had keys at some point, and there is usually no way to account for them. Rekeying every external door is the common approach and is generally cheaper than replacing the hardware.

Can I have all my doors open with the same key?

Often, yes. Locks of a compatible type and brand can frequently be keyed alike so one key operates several doors. Whether it is possible on your property depends on the hardware you already have. It is convenient, though it does mean one lost key affects every door it opens.

I am renting. Can I change the locks myself?

Speak to your landlord or property manager first. In New South Wales, residential tenancy rules govern when locks may be changed and who must be given a key, and there are specific provisions in circumstances involving domestic violence. Consumer information is published by NSW Fair Trading. We are happy to do the work once the arrangement is agreed.

Do you supply the locks, or should I buy my own?

Our vans carry commonly used locks and door hardware, so most jobs can be finished in one visit. If you have already bought hardware, we can usually fit it, but tell us the brand and model when you call — retail hardware does not always match the cut-outs in an existing door.

How long does a lock replacement take?

A straightforward like-for-like swap on a single door is usually quick. It takes longer if the door needs modification, if the frame or hinges need adjustment, or if multiple doors are being done and keyed alike. The technician can give you a realistic time once they have seen the door.

Need a lock replaced or rekeyed?

Tell us what happened and what kind of door it is. We will explain whether a rekey or a replacement is the better spend.

Call 02 90308829
Mobile service across Sydney · Available 24/7