Why Burbank Property Owners Rekey Instead of Replacing Lock Hardware

Most Burbank homeowners assume that controlling who accesses their property requires installing entirely new locks, but this approach wastes money when existing hardware functions properly and only the key distribution needs to change. Replacing locksets costs three to five times more than rekeying while achieving the same security outcome—previous keys no longer work, and only newly cut keys operate the locks. The difference lies in what you're actually changing: rekeying alters the internal pin configuration so the cylinder accepts a different key profile, while the housing, strike plate, bolt mechanism, and exterior finish remain untouched.

When moving into a property in Burbank or dealing with lost keys, rekeying provides immediate security without the labor-intensive process of removing and reinstalling multiple locksets. You avoid patching screw holes, refinishing door surfaces where old hardware sat, and matching new finishes to existing handles and hinges. Larchmont Lock & Key handles rekeying for single-family homes, rental properties, and commercial facilities by reconfiguring cylinders to accept new key cuts, often completing service for an entire property in under two hours.

How Rekeying Improves Access Control for Multiple Entry Points

Knowing when rekeying makes more sense than installing new locks depends on evaluating both your security needs and the current condition of your hardware:

• Moving into a Burbank property where you don't know how many previous key copies exist or who might still have access
• Lost or stolen keys that create uncertainty about whether someone could use them to enter your home or business
• Rental properties between tenants when collecting every key copy proves impossible and security concerns remain
• Office spaces after employee departures where tracking key distribution becomes complicated with multiple staff changes
• Properties with high-quality locksets in good condition where only access control needs updating, not the hardware itself

Rekeying doesn't address situations where locks physically fail, mechanisms bind, or hardware has corroded beyond cleaning. In those cases, replacement provides better long-term value. But when your locks operate smoothly and you only need to change who can use them, rekeying delivers equivalent security at a fraction of the cost. Learn more about securing your property through professional rekeying services.

Properties throughout Burbank—from apartments near the Magnolia Park area to offices along Olive Avenue—benefit from rekeying all locks to operate on a single key rather than carrying separate keys for front doors, side gates, garage entries, and interior offices. This process, called keying alike, requires adjusting pin configurations across multiple cylinders so one key works everywhere. The alternative—carrying five or six keys—creates inconvenience and security risks when key rings get lost or copied.

Rekeying also addresses employee turnover in rental properties and commercial spaces. Rather than tracking which former tenants or staff members might have kept copies of keys, rekeying invalidates every existing key and establishes a clean access list. You maintain control over exactly who can enter, without assuming previous occupants returned every copy they made. The cost savings compared to replacing six or eight locksets often exceeds 70%, while security improves identically. Whether you're securing a home after purchasing property, managing rentals with tenant changes, or addressing concerns about lost keys, rekeying offers faster, more economical control.

If you need to secure property in Burbank by controlling key access without replacing functional hardware, contact us to schedule rekeying service that simplifies your key management.