Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Schlage Lock Rekeying: The Los Angeles Owner’s Guide
Schlage lock rekeying in Los Angeles typically runs $29-$49 per cylinder for residential deadbolts and knob sets, with same-day service available when you call before 2 p.m. We stock Schlage-compatible pinning kits, cylinders, and key blanks on every van, and we quote the full price in writing before dispatch - Haven Standard Clause 1, no exceptions. Most homeowners discover they need a rekey after moving into a previously owned home in neighborhoods like Los Feliz or Culver City, or after a key goes missing and they cannot account for every copy.
Which Schlage Models This Applies To
Schlage manufactures three residential series that dominate Los Angeles homes built between 1990 and 2025: the F-series (entry-level, stamped steel chassis), the B-series (commercial-grade deadbolts, solid brass cylinder housing), and the AL-series (light commercial lever sets common in mid-century apartment conversions). The rekeying process differs materially between them. F-series cylinders use a standard .115-inch diameter plug and accept SC1 keyways; B-series deadbolts use the same SC1 keyway but with a thicker .150-inch plug wall and a retained tailpiece that must be matched to the specific backset - 2-3/8-inch or 2-3/4-inch. AL-series levers require a cylinder with a cloverleaf cam, not the standard straight cam, and this is the compatibility gotcha we correct most often on service calls.
To identify your series: remove the interior thumbturn or lever rose and look for the stamped model number. F51, F60, or F62 indicate F-series. B60, B62, or B360 indicate B-series. AL53 or AL80 indicate AL-series. The keyway is marked on the original key bow: SC1 for standard Schlage, SC4 for high-security Primus, and SE1 for Everest restricted. We carry aftermarket cylinders by Ilco and original Schlage cylinders; for rental properties in Los Angeles we typically recommend Ilco brass replacements at roughly 60 percent of OEM cost, with identical pinning specs. For owner-occupied homes we stock Schlage original cylinders with matching factory keyways.
Signs Your Schlage Lock Rekeying Is Failing
- Key rotates 360 degrees without retracting the bolt. The tailpiece has sheared or the cam has stripped inside the cylinder. This happens most often on B-series deadbolts in coastal Los Angeles where salt air corrodes the zinc alloy tailpiece faster than inland climates. We replace the cylinder and tailpiece as a matched set.
- Key works in one direction only (lock or unlock, not both). A single pin has dropped below the shear line or the plug has developed a burr at the 3 o’clock position. This is repairable in theory, but in practice a rekey with fresh pins costs the same and eliminates the variable.
- Key requires jiggling or progressive insertion depth to turn. Worn pin chambers in the plug have opened tolerances beyond .005 inch, the maximum for reliable operation. We see this on F-series locks after 8-12 years of daily use, which is standard lifespan in Los Angeles dust conditions.
- Multiple keys now operate the lock that previously required one specific key. Master pinning has failed or a bottom pin has cracked, creating a false shear line. This is a security failure, not merely a convenience issue, and we treat it as priority service.
- Cylinder pulls forward when the key is removed. The retaining clip on the cylinder tail has broken or the housing screw has backed out. Left unaddressed, the cylinder can be extracted with pliers in under 30 seconds. We replace the clip and verify housing torque to 12 inch-pounds.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
Schlage rekeying in Los Angeles breaks down as follows: residential F-series or B-series cylinder rekey with new pins and two keys, $29-$39; cylinder replacement with rekey to new key, $49-$69 including the cylinder; AL-series lever cylinder replacement, $59-$79 due to the cloverleaf cam and lever disassembly. Commercial-grade Schlage Primus or Everest rekeying runs $89-$149 depending on key control level and whether we are adding to an existing master key system.
The dispatcher quotes your exact price after confirming the series and service type. That price is entered into our system before the technician departs. Haven Standard Clause 1: the price on the phone is the price on the invoice. The technician cannot alter it. Every rekey includes new bottom and top pins, springs, a factory-cut key with code card, lubrication with Houdini Lock Lube, and a documented photo record of the cylinder condition before and after. Work is covered by our 365-Day Done Right Promise. We have performed over 60,000 lock, key, and system services since 2002, every one with a written price before we started and a documented record when we left.
DIY or Call Us?
An owner can safely verify the model number and keyway type using a flashlight and the original key. What you cannot safely do is disassemble a Schlage cylinder without a pinning kit, plug follower, and depth key set. The springs are under compression and will launch pins across the room; worse, a dropped top pin can jam the lock entirely, converting a rekey into a drill-out. We do not recommend DIY rekeying for any cylinder that is your primary entry lock.
If you are rekeying multiple locks to a single key, the math matters: matching five F-series locks requires identical keyways and compatible cams, and one mismatched tailpiece will prevent the key from operating that door. We carry Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco pinning kits and can match mixed-manufacturer installations where the hardware is compatible. Call (213) 632-4875 and we will walk through what you have before quoting a firm price. The name on the van is the warranty.
FAQs
How long does a Schlage rekey take?
A single residential deadbolt or knob rekey takes 15-20 minutes on site. A full home rekey of four locks typically runs 45-60 minutes. We stock Schlage-compatible cylinders and pinning kits on every van, so there is no return trip. Call (213) 632-4875 to schedule - we quote the exact time and price when you call.
Can a Schlage lock be repaired instead of rekeyed?
Yes, if the failure is isolated to a single pin, spring, or minor plug wear. We assess this on arrival and will tell you honestly whether repair or rekey is the better value. Repair saves roughly $10-$15 but does not reset the cylinder’s wear clock; rekeying gives you fresh pins, new keys, and a documented service date. Call (213) 632-4875 and we will diagnose over the phone at no charge.
How long do rekeyed Schlage locks last in Los Angeles?
A properly rekeyed Schlage F-series lock lasts 8-12 years with daily use in Los Angeles conditions; B-series locks last 15-20 years due to the brass housing and thicker plug walls. Coastal exposure to salt air reduces these figures by roughly 20 percent, which is why we see more cylinder replacements in Venice and Santa Monica than in Pasadena or the Valley. We note the service date on every invoice so you have a record.
Do you stock Schlage parts, or do you need to order?
We stock Schlage SC1 and SC4 cylinders, pinning kits in all standard depths, factory key blanks, and replacement tailpieces for both backset sizes. For restricted keyway systems (Primus, Everest) we carry blanks and pinning kits but must verify your authorization level before cutting. If we do not have a specific component, we will tell you before dispatching - no bait-and-switch, no surprise delays. Call (213) 632-4875 to confirm stock for your specific model.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner, Novak Lock & Security Los Angeles at Novak Lock & Security Los Angeles, serving Los Angeles and nearby areas.