Quick answer: if your house keys are gone, first get back inside without damaging the door, then decide whether to rekey. If the keys could be linked to your address (a wallet with your ID, a bag with mail, a key tag, a stolen car), rekey the locks the same day. If they just fell off somewhere with nothing that points to your home, a rekey is still the safe choice, but it is less urgent.
Step 1: Check the easy places first
Most “lost” keys turn up within an hour. Check the car, including between the seats and in the door pockets, the last jacket or bag you used, and the lock itself, since people leave keys hanging in the door more often than you would think. Call the last store or restaurant you visited and ask if anyone turned in a set.
Step 2: Get back inside
If someone else in the house has a key, or a neighbor or family member keeps a spare, that is the fastest way in. Renters can call the landlord or property manager, who usually keeps a copy.
If none of that works, call a locksmith before you start prying at a window. A locksmith can open most front doors without damage, and it costs far less than a broken frame or a smashed window. Our guide to getting back into your house without damaging the door explains what works and what usually backfires.
Step 3: Decide whether to rekey
Ask yourself one question: could whoever has your keys figure out where they go?
- Rekey today if your keys were with your driver’s license, mail, a garage door remote or anything else with your address, or if they were stolen along with a car or bag.
- Rekey soon if you lost them somewhere public with nothing that points to your home. The risk is low, but you never know who picked them up.
- You may not need to if you know the keys were destroyed or lost somewhere nobody will find them, like the bottom of a lake.
Not sure whether to rekey or put in new locks? Read rekey or replace your locks.
What a rekey actually does
Rekeying changes the small pins inside the lock cylinder so the old keys stop working and a new key opens the lock. Your handles and deadbolts stay on the door, so it costs much less than new hardware. While the locks are apart, we can set every exterior door to work with one key, which makes life easier after a scare like this. See our lock rekey service and what drives the cost of a rekey.
Do not forget the rest of the key ring
- Car key or fob: if your car key was on the ring, you may need a new one programmed. We make car keys and fobs on site, see car key replacement. If whoever has the keys could find the car, deal with it the same day.
- Garage door remote: clear the lost remote from the opener’s memory so it no longer works.
- Mailbox key: mailbox locks can be changed or rekeyed too.
- Work keys: tell your employer right away, especially if you carried a master key.
Make the next time easier
Skip the key under the mat or in a fake rock, since those are the first places anyone checks. Leave a spare with a neighbor or family member you trust instead. If losing keys keeps happening, a keypad deadbolt lets you get in with a code, and most still take a backup key.
How we can help
Desert Locksmith is an owner-operated mobile locksmith. We come to your home anywhere in the Phoenix area, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Glendale, get you back inside, and rekey your locks on the spot so the lost keys are useless. Call (602) 301-5243 and tell us what happened.
Frequently asked questions
Should I change my locks if I lost my house keys?
In most cases a rekey is enough. It makes the old keys useless without replacing your hardware. Replace the locks only if they are worn out, damaged, or you want a different style.
How long does a rekey take?
For a typical house it usually takes about an hour or less, depending on how many locks there are.
Can you rekey my locks if I do not have any key at all?
Yes. We can open the lock first and then rekey it. Just tell us when you call so we come prepared.
Do I need to rekey if my lost keys had no address on them?
The risk is lower, but keys sometimes get traced back through a car, a parking spot or a bag found nearby. If you have any doubt, a rekey is inexpensive peace of mind.