Smart locks
House lockouts
Re-keying
Deadbolt upgrades
Schlage
Kwikset
Car keys & fobsNon-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
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How Much Does Lock Installation & Rekey Cost in Tacoma?
Lock installation in Tacoma typically runs $120 to $280 per lock for standard hardware, while a rekey is usually $45 to $95 per lock when you keep the existing hardware. A typical single-family home rekey (three exterior doors) lands around $180 to $260, and a full lockset replacement on the same doors usually comes in between $360 and $840 depending on the brand you choose. High-security hardware like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or Abloy sits at the top of that range, and it’s the part of the job most Tacoma locksmiths can’t take on.
We’ve worked enough doors around Tacoma to know the numbers move with the neighborhood, the door material, and the hardware. This guide breaks down real 2026 pricing so you can budget before you call. You’ll find more general background on what a rekey involves on our lock installation and rekey service page for Federal Way and our main home page.
Key Takeaways
- Standard residential rekey: $45 to $95 per lock. Most homes pay $180 to $260 for three doors.
- Standard lock installation: $120 to $280 per lock, hardware included on the low end.
- High-security hardware (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy): $280 to $650 per lock installed.
- Automotive key replacement and lockouts are handled in-house, so one call covers the lock, the key, and the car.
- Free estimates are available. Call (855) 382-0943 for a written quote.
Lock Installation & Rekey Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s how the numbers shake out across the Tacoma market in 2026. These ranges reflect what we quote and see across Pierce County.
| Service | Typical Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rekey, single lock | $45 – $95 | Keep your hardware, get new keys. Cheapest path to fresh security. |
| Rekey, entire home (3 doors) | $180 – $260 | Most common residential job we do in Tacoma. |
| Rekey, commercial (per door, master keyed) | $70 – $140 | Higher for master-key systems and restricted keyways. |
| Standard deadbolt installation (Kwikset, Schlage) | $120 – $220 | Basic consumer-grade hardware. |
| Upgraded deadbolt (Baldwin, Yale) | $200 – $340 | Better finish, heavier construction. |
| High-security lock installation (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy) | $280 – $650 | Certified high-security cylinders. Most locksmiths don’t stock these. |
| Smart lock installation | $150 – $400 | Cost varies widely by brand and door prep. |
| Strike plate reinforcement / door frame repair | $60 – $180 | Often needed on older Tacoma homes. |
| Automotive key replacement (standard transponder) | $120 – $280 | Price depends on vehicle year, make, and key type. |
What pushes the number up? Three things, mostly. First, hardware brand – a Schlage deadbolt and a Medeco cylinder are two very different price points, and the labor to fit a high-security cylinder properly is real. Second, door condition: older homes in North Tacoma and the Proctor District often have doors that have been re-drilled or patched more than once, which means we sometimes spend extra time squaring a strike plate or filling and re-boring a mortise. Third, volume: a whole-home rekey costs less per door than a single lock. What brings it down? Keeping your existing hardware, bundling the work, and skipping the emergency call-out fee by booking ahead.
If you’re weighing rekey against replacement, that decision alone can swing a bill by a few hundred dollars. We’ve broken that comparison down on our rekey vs. replace locks guide.
What Affects Lock Installation & Rekey Pricing in Tacoma
Local factors matter more than people expect. Here’s what actually moves the Tacoma number:
- Hardware brand and security tier. Kwikset and Schlage are the everyday standard. Baldwin and Yale sit a step up. Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy are certified high-security lines with restricted keyways, and that capability alone changes the quote. We work in all eight brands – some locksmiths only touch two.
- Number of locks and doors. A single deadbolt rekey is a minimum-visit job. Whole-home rekeys spread the call-out across several locks and bring the per-door cost down.
- Door material and condition. Older Craftsman and bungalow doors common around Stadium District and the North End sometimes need extra prep. Steel doors, glass-panel doors, and doors with sidelights take longer. A patched or previously re-drilled door takes longer still.
- Master-key systems and access control. Commercial jobs or multi-unit rentals with master-keyed systems take planning and restricted keyway stock. Expect higher per-door pricing.
- Emergency timing. A scheduled install costs less than a same-hour emergency call. If you’re locked out right now, our emergency locksmith service exists for exactly that – but plan ahead when you can.
- Smart lock complexity. Not every Tacoma home door is prepped for a smart lock, and some older frames need real adjustment. Some brands install in twenty minutes, others take an hour.
One more local factor we hear about often: the weather. Tacoma’s damp, wet winters are hard on exterior hardware, and old deadbolts in homes near the waterfront or Point Defiance tend to seize up faster than inland. If your lock needs a wrench to turn in January, that’s the humidity, and it’s worth a look before it fails.
How to Save on Lock Installation & Rekey in Tacoma
The single biggest saving is the decision to rekey rather than replace. Rekeying gives you fresh security without new hardware – it’s a cost-smart upgrade, not a downgrade, and it works on any of the eight brands we service.
A few practical moves that keep the bill down:
- Bundle the work. Do every exterior door in one visit. Asking us to swing by for one lock today and another next week costs more than doing all three together.
- Book ahead for non-emergencies. Scheduled visits cost less than emergency call-outs. If you just moved into a new place in Tacoma, plan the rekey before you unpack.
- Keep your existing hardware if it’s solid. A good Schlage or Baldwin cylinder doesn’t need replacing just because you want new keys. We’ll tell you honestly when rekey is the right call and when hardware upgrade actually makes sense.
- Ask about the whole-home rate. When you have several locks in play, we quote the whole job. Call (855) 382-0943 for a free estimate – the number you get over the phone is a real number, not a starting point that grows.
- Consider a master-key system for rentals. If you own rental property in Tacoma, a master-keyed system costs more up front but saves on future key management and tenant turnover.
The Federal Way market runs close to ours, and you can compare notes on our Federal Way pricing page.
Rekey vs. Replacement: Which Costs Less in Tacoma?
Rekeying costs less in almost every case – usually 40 to 60 percent less than a full replacement. Rekeying a deadbolt runs $45 to $95 and takes about fifteen minutes per lock. Replacing that same deadbolt with comparable hardware runs $120 to $280. The math isn’t close. Replacement only makes sense when the hardware is actually failing: a seized cylinder, a grade-3 lock on an entry door that should be grade-1, or a property being upgraded to high-security hardware like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock.
We’ll give you the straight answer either way. If rekeying solves it, that’s what we’ll recommend – and if a $280 Medeco cylinder on your front door is the better long-term call, we’ll say so.
Automotive Key Replacement Cost in Tacoma
Car keys are often the surprise line item. A standard transponder key replacement runs $120 to $280, and smart keys or push-to-start fobs sit at the higher end. The cost depends on the vehicle year, make, and whether the key needs programming. Because we handle automotive work in-house, a lost car key doesn’t require a second call to a separate specialist – the car key replacement service is part of what we do. Phone numbers on car key pages online are often bait; ours is real, one number, every time.
Vehicle lockouts in Tacoma happen everywhere – the Tacoma Mall parking lots, Point Ruston at night, a ferry queue at the Tacoma terminal. We know the drill. If you’re standing next to your car reading this, call (855) 382-0943 and skip the search.
FAQs – Lock Installation & Rekey Cost
How much does it cost to rekey a house in Tacoma?
$180 to $260 for a typical single-family home with three exterior doors. Single-lock rekeys run $45 to $95. The price covers the service call, new keys, and fitting on any brand we carry – Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, or Abloy. Call (855) 382-0943 for an exact quote on your address – estimates are free.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?
Rekeying is cheaper – usually 40 to 60 percent less. A rekey is $45 to $95 per lock; a replacement deadbolt installed runs $120 to $280. Rekeying keeps solid hardware and gives you fresh keys. Replacement makes sense only when the cylinder is failing or you’re stepping up to a high-security brand. Call (855) 382-0943 to find out which your door actually needs.
How much does a locksmith charge to install a deadbolt in Tacoma?
$120 to $280 for a standard deadbolt installed, depending on hardware brand. Upgraded brands like Baldwin or Yale land $200 to $340. High-security cylinders from Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or Abloy run $280 to $650 because of the certified cylinder and restricted keyway. We carry all three lines. Call (855) 382-0943 for a written estimate.
Can you come today?
Usually yes for scheduled visits within the Tacoma area – emergency work is a core part of what we do, not an add-on. Timing depends on the day and the job. Give us a call at (855) 382-0943 and we’ll tell you honestly when we can be there. No fabricated “we’ll be there in 15 minutes” promises – just a real answer.
Do you charge extra for high-security brands like Medeco or Abloy?
Yes, expect $280 to $650 per lock installed for certified high-security hardware, versus $120 to $280 for standard consumer brands. The extra covers the cylinder cost, restricted keyway stock, and the expertise to fit it. Most regional locksmiths aren’t equipped to service these brands; we are. Call (855) 382-0943 for a quote on your specific lock.
Why Tacoma Homeowners Call Lodestar
We service locks across eight recognized brands – Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Sargent, and Abloy – which means one call covers the everyday deadbolt, the high-security cylinder you researched, and the car key you lost last week. Rekeying is offered as a proactive upgrade, not just an emergency fix. Emergency locksmith response is built into the service model, not sold as a premium tier. Steady when it matters – that’s the point of the name.
Homeowners across Tacoma, from Point Defiance to the Proctor District, call us because the range is real and the pricing is upfront. If you’re moving into a new place, upgrading hardware, or just ready to stop worrying about who holds the old keys, let’s get it done.
Get a Free Estimate
Pricing a lock installation or rekey in Tacoma doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Call (855) 382-0943 for a free estimate – we’ll ask about your doors, your hardware, and your timeline, and give you a real number before we show up. One call covers the lock, the key, and the car. That’s what we’re here for.
Pricing reflects the Tacoma market as of 2026. Lodestar Locksmith offers free estimates – call (855) 382-0943.
What Our Customers Say
"Does good work. Card payment was a bit of a production, so have another option handy."
— Dustin Lawson"Installed a smart lock and actually set up the app and the codes with me instead of leaving me to figure it out from a leaflet."
— Shannon Norris"Rekeyed every lock in the house the day after we closed. Six doors, all matched to one key, done in about ninety minutes."
— Todd Mercer