Lock Change Cost in Los Angeles (2026 Guide)

Single-cylinder lock change: $80–$140

About half of Los Angeles lock-change calls are a straight swap of an existing knob or lever lock for a new one of the same footprint. For a builder-grade Kwikset or Defiant unit on an interior or secondary exterior door, the typical LA price is $80–$110 including the hardware. For a Schlage B-series or Yale residential lever in a brushed nickel or matte black finish, expect $110–$140 with the pro supplying the lock.

What's actually included at this price: removing the old lock, checking the latch alignment and strike plate, installing the new cylinder and faceplate, testing the key and the deadlatch from both sides, and confirming the door closes cleanly without binding. Most pros also tighten the hinge screws while they're there — a five-minute add that prevents the door from sagging into a misaligned latch six months later.

What's not included unless you specify: matching multiple existing keys to one new lock (that's a re-key, covered below), drilling a new bore hole for a different lock standard, or repairing a damaged jamb after a forced-entry incident. Jamb repair starts around $80 separately and is worth bundling into the same visit.

Deadbolt swap: $100–$180

Deadbolts get their own pricing tier because the install is more involved than a passage knob. The pro is dealing with a longer throw bolt, a deeper strike pocket, and usually a thumbturn on the interior side — three things that need to line up exactly or the deadbolt won't fully extend. For a Kwikset SmartKey or Schlage B60 single-cylinder deadbolt on a standard exterior door, expect $100–$140 with hardware. For a Schlage B560 with reinforced strike, or a Yale Real Living mechanical deadbolt with a higher-grade strike plate, $140–$180 is more typical.

The strike plate is where most deadbolt jobs go wrong if rushed. A pro will check that the bolt extends fully into the strike pocket without forcing the door, and will chisel out the jamb a few millimeters if needed so the bolt doesn't drag. On older Craftsman doors in Hancock Park or Highland Park, the original strike pocket is often shallower than modern hardware expects — expect an extra 15 minutes of jamb work, sometimes pushing the quote toward the upper end.

One thing to know: HOA-controlled buildings in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and parts of Brentwood often require specific exterior hardware finishes (oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass) and sometimes specific brands. Before booking, check your HOA's architectural standards — a pro with the wrong finish on the truck loses you the visit and the lead.

Full re-key vs. lock change: what each one means

Re-key and lock change get used interchangeably in conversation, but they're different jobs with different prices. Three typical scenarios in LA:

• Re-key existing locks ($120–$220): Pro pulls the cylinders out of your existing locks, swaps the pin stack to a new bitting, and cuts you fresh keys. Old keys no longer work. Best after a tenant move-out, lost key, or contractor handover when the hardware is fine and you just need new keys. Typical price covers 2–4 cylinders keyed alike.
• Single lock change ($80–$140): One lock, new hardware, new keys. Usually because the old lock is worn, mismatched, or you want a finish upgrade. No coordination with other locks in the house.
• Whole-house lock change with keyed-alike set ($300–$600): Three to six exterior locks all replaced with new matching hardware on a single key. Common for new homeowners moving in, or for landlords resetting an entire unit between tenants. Per-lock cost drops the more locks are in the bundle.

Smart locks: $150–$280 installed

Smart locks are the fastest-growing segment of LA lock work. The four brands that show up most often in handyman quotes are Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, August Wi-Fi, and Kwikset Halo. Install pricing varies by whether you're swapping a deadbolt-only unit (simpler) or a full handle-and-deadbolt combo (more complex). For a Schlage Encode or Yale Assure deadbolt swap onto an existing standard bore, expect $150–$200 with the homeowner supplying the lock. For an August retrofit (which keeps your existing deadbolt and adds a motorized thumbturn on the inside), $120–$180 is typical because there's no exterior hardware change.

What's actually included: removing the old hardware, installing the new lock body, aligning the strike, pairing the lock to your home Wi-Fi or hub, setting up the first user code, and walking you through the app. Most pros will not configure every family member's access code or every Auto-Lock schedule — that's homeowner setup once the basics work.

What's not included unless you specify: replacing a non-standard bore (some 1920s LA doors have undersized bores that need drilling out, add $30–$60), running a hardwired keypad, or troubleshooting a flaky home network. If your Wi-Fi doesn't reach the front door, the smart lock won't work no matter how well it's installed.

After-hours and lockout add-ons

Standard lock work happens during business hours — roughly 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, with weekend windows on a per-pro basis. After-hours visits carry a surcharge:

• Evening visit (6 p.m.–10 p.m. weekday): Add $40–$80 over the base quote. Some pros build this in; others charge a flat trip fee.
• Late night / early morning (10 p.m.–7 a.m.): Add $60–$120. Genuine lockouts at 2 a.m. land here.
• Weekend non-emergency: Often no surcharge if booked in advance. Same-day weekend lockouts add $40–$80.
• True lockout (no key, locked out of the house): Most handymen do not pick locks — that's locksmith scope. A handyman can drill the cylinder and replace the lock on the spot, which is faster and often cheaper than a 24-hour locksmith call, but the lock itself is destroyed and replaced with new hardware. Total: $150–$280 including the new lock.

What changes the quote: 5 common LA variables

Beyond the base service tier, five things most often push an LA lock quote up:

• 1920s–40s Craftsman or Spanish-revival doors: Original mortise locksets and undersized bores need careful retrofit. Add $40–$80.
• HOA-mandated finishes (Pasadena, Beverly Hills, parts of Brentwood): Pro may need to source specific hardware. Add $20–$60 for sourcing time and possibly higher-end brand cost.
• Post-tenant move-in re-keys with multiple locks: Discount on the second and third lock if keyed alike, but more total time. Net add $40–$120 over single-lock pricing.
• Damaged jamb or strike plate from a forced-entry incident: Wood repair, fresh strike plate, sometimes a security strike with longer screws. Add $60–$140.
• Fire-rated doors in condo buildings (DTLA, Marina del Rey high-rises): Hardware must be fire-rated to match. Limited brand selection, slightly higher hardware cost. Add $30–$80.

What you can supply to lower the quote

Two things you can do to keep the quote at the lower end:

First, buy your own hardware. Most pros are happy to install homeowner-supplied locks as long as they're standard-bore residential grade — Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, August are all routinely installed without issue. The pro then doesn't markup the hardware, and you save $20–$40 on a single lock or $60–$120 on a whole-house set. Avoid no-name imports from large marketplaces; the pin stacks and tolerances are unpredictable and the pro may decline to install them.

Second, identify all the locks ahead of the visit. If you tell the pro at booking that there are four exterior locks all to be re-keyed alike, plus one interior office deadbolt that's a different key, the pro can bring the right pin kit and cut all the keys in one visit. Discovering a fifth lock mid-visit usually means a return trip and a second trip charge.