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The right call from commercial locksmith services comes down to a single question. Is the trouble in the keys or in the lock? Rekeying handles key control. Replacement handles replace worn or outdated hardware. The keys have interchangeable cores that let you switch them quickly. Unlawful entry into a nonresidential structure with the purpose of stealing is a Class 4 felony in Arizona, per ARS 13-1506. Charges come after the damage, though. A key that no longer works comes before it.
This guide is written for West Valley owners and property managers who cannot say for sure who holds a key to their doors. It weighs rekeying against interchangeable cores, then replacement then repair so you can pick a path before you call anyone. If you would rather have a pro look at the doors first our commercial locksmith services page lists what we handle.
Rekey vs Replace Business Locks: The One Test That Settles It
Rekey when the locks work and you just need old keys to stop working. Replace when the hardware is worn or broken or no longer suits the door. Most rekey vs replace business locks questions come down to a quick test. Turn the key. Is it smooth or does the latch snap shut? If so then rekey. If not then a rekey only hides the trouble.
Replacement brings one extra rule. Under the Department of Justice ADA rules a hardware change can count as an alteration. The new lockset then has to meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The same rules state that upgrading the path of travel due to a hardware upgrade is not required. The 2010 Standards are adopted as part of Glendale’s code. A rekey touches no hardware so none of this applies.
| Question | Rekey | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | Pins inside the cylinder | The whole lockset |
| Old keys | Stop working | Stop working |
| Worn latch or cylinder | Stays worn | Reset with new parts |
| Best fit | Staff turnover and tenant moves | Failing or outdated hardware |
| ADA review | None | New hardware must comply |
| Tip 1: Try each lock with a worn key then with a fresh copy. If the key drags in the cylinder the lock is probably failing. A rekey on that door resets nothing that matters. |
How Does Commercial Lock Rekeying Work on Business Doors?
A locksmith exchanges the rods internally in every cylinder. The new key works and the old are stop. The lock body stays on the door. Commercial lock rekeying is the usual fix after a firing or a lost key or a tenant move out. It also lets you key doors alike. One key can open the front door.
Interchangeable Core Locks: Built for Busy Doors
Interchangeable core locks pay back when keys change many times and you have to manage a lot of doors. A control key cracks the inner part. A prearranged core gets in. Nobody reopens anything at the door. Retail chains and property managers like this because speed matters. After a break in a manager can restore security without waiting for a visit.
The catch is storage. Spare cores need a safe spot. The control key needs one too because losing it exposes the whole system. The lock housing must also accept a core so older locks may need new hardware first.
Interchangeable Core vs Rekey at a Glance
| Factor | Interchangeable core | Rekey |
|---|---|---|
| Change speed | Swap the core at the door | Repin each cylinder |
| Who can do it | Trained staff with the control key | A locksmith |
| Spare parts | Prepinned cores kept on site | None needed |
| Main risk | A lost control key | Waiting for a locksmith |
| Best fit | Many doors and frequent changes | Few doors and rare changes |
The interchangeable core vs rekey choice mostly follows door count. Three doors rarely justify cores. Thirty often do.
Business Lock Replacement: When the Hardware Has Given Up
Replace the lock when it is damaged or no longer meets your security needs. Replace it after a cut that may bend the door. Business lock replacement also lets you upgrade. Commercial locks are graded under ANSI/BHMA and Grade 1 is the highest. A main storefront door gets used all day so it earns that grade.
Replacement is also the route to keypads and card readers. A keypad only lock has no cylinder to rekey.Look at the strike plate and the frame before you shop for a lock. A strong lock on a split frame still gives way to one kick.
Commercial Lock Repair Options to Try Before You Replace
Repair when one part has failed and the rest is sound. Replace when the same lock keeps failing.
Your commercial lock repair options usually look like this:
- Realign a strike plate that no longer catches the latch
- Swap a worn cylinder or a tired latch
- Adjust or replace the door closer
- Tighten or replace a loose lever
- Adjust or replace an out of alignment lever
Don’t repair the same door twice if it requires the same repair.
| Tip 2: Monsoon dust works its way into cylinders across the valley. Do not use oil, use a dry lubricant instead. Oil holds dust and gums up the pins. |
Why West Valley Businesses Need Commercial Locksmith Services Built for Heat and Dust?
Sun and dust are issues for commercial locksmith services in West Valley, as is the quick turnover of tenants. Glendale, Peoria: Strip centers, warehouse suites where keys are frequently traded! Surprise and Avondale and Goodyear see the same pattern. So do HOA clubhouses. Doors facing west take hard afternoon sun. Metal expands.
A door that closed fine in March can bind by July. Someone forces the latch and the cylinder takes the damage. Rental suites near the Loop 101 also turn over often so a former tenant’s keys stay a real exposure. Mobile service suits this area. On site rekey is when the locksmith rekeys the locks on site, rendering the door secure before departing.
Rekeying Commercial Locks | Step by Step
The process of rekeying commercial locks is done in six steps, which start from the initial door count and end with the final test. Small sites usually complete in one visit.
- Count each cylinder and write the brand. Include gate padlocks and file cabinets.
- Pick a keying plan. Choose keyed alike or separate keys, or master key systems for businesses that need different access levels for staff and managers.
- Take out each cylinder and pull the old pins.
- Install new pins for new key cuts.
- Cut the new keys and number each one.
- Test every door with the new key then with an old key. The old key must fail.
| Pro Tip: Log each key by number and holder name. You will want that log the next time someone leaves. |
Common Lock Change Mistakes Business Owners Make
The biggest one is rekeying the same worn hardware over and over. The keys change but the failures stay. Back doors and gates get forgotten. Nobody watches them so they matter. Control keys wander. One copy left in a desk drawer undoes the whole core system. Then there is the missing record. Without a log of who holds what a rekey fixes today and nothing after.
Five Factors to Weigh Before You Choose
Consider these five factors to determine whether rekeying or replacing your locks is the better choice for your property.
Hardware condition
Look at wear before you look at price. Worn parts usually decide the rekey or replace call.
Door count
A handful of doors points to rekeying. A long list of doors points to cores.
Turnover
Frequent staff or tenant changes make fast key changes worth planning for.
Future access control
If keypads or cards are coming then replace once and skip the repeat rekeys.
Timing
Any time of the night requires a locksmith that is available during after-hours. Don’t guess. Ask!
Key Takeaways
- Rekey sound locks. Replace failing ones.
- Cores suit many doors and frequent key changes.
- Fix the frame and strike plate along with the lock.
- Log every key by number and holder.
Quick Answers Before You Book a Locksmith
Is it better to rekey or replace my locks?
Rekey if the locks function and only the keys are the issue. Replace if the hardware is damaged, worn or not up to date. In one visit, a locksmith will be able to inspect the cylinder and latches and will be able to tell you which side of that line the doors are on.
How much does a locksmith charge to rekey a commercial lock?
The majority of locksmiths charge a rekey fee for a commercial lock, on top of the call-out fee, per cylinder. Final number is dependent on the number of cylinders, the brand of the lock, keying plan and the time of the day. Request the service call fee, as well as the per cylinder charge, in writing prior to service.
What is an interchangeable core lock?
An interchangeable core lock holds a removable cylinder called a core. A control key removes it and a new prepinned core goes in. The key change happens at the door without repinning.
What locks cannot be rekeyed?
Worn or damaged cylinders cannot be rekeyed reliably. Neither can discontinued or no name hardware when parts are unavailable. Keypad only locks have no keyed cylinder to rekey. Some restricted high security cylinders need factory authorization first.
What does a commercial locksmith do?
Commercial locksmiths rekey, install and lock and unlock locks for businesses. The work encompasses the installation of interchangeable cores, master key systems, exit hardware and lockouts. Another critical job for commercial locksmith services is when a door does not lock after hours.
What does the average locksmith charge per hour?
Most locksmiths don’t quote by the hour, they quote per job, so an average of an hour doesn’t give you much information. Night & Overtime rates are higher than regular working rates. Compare quotes by scope and ask what the service call fee covers.
A Locksmith’s Last Word on Picking the Fix
Start with the door and not the price. A lock in good shape can be rekeyed. A failing lock cannot be saved by new keys. If you manage many doors and keys change often then interchangeable cores deserve a look. If the hardware is old and you plan electronic access then replace it once. Whatever you choose log every key.
Get a Straight Answer on Your Doors
Old Glory Locksmith provides commercial locksmith services to businesses across Glendale and Phoenix and the surrounding West Valley. That covers rekeying and interchangeable cores and replacement and repair.
Contact Old Glory Locksmith at 602 696 0763 or email cory@corybahr.com to discuss your specific needs. The owner does the work and the company has served the Phoenix Valley since 2011 with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Sources
- Arizona Legislature, ARS 13-1506 (burglary in the third degree).
- U.S. Department of Justice, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
- City of Glendale, adopted codes and dates.