Denver lock work
Lock changes and deadbolts in Denver
A new lock costs more than rekeying the old one, and in exchange you get new hardware. Fixr's survey puts changing a lock at $150 to $550; Thumbtack's figure for installing a new one is $203 to $240.
Single company per request, named on the call, priced up front. Search that name with the Secretary of State · Who pays us
Reasons to replace instead of rekey
- The cylinder feels gritty, or the key has to be jiggled.
- There's no deadbolt, or a flimsy one.
- You're moving to a keypad or a smart lock.
- A break-in left the lock damaged. DPD reported 4,298 burglaries in 2025, 3.0 times the national rate per resident (FBI).
| What you need done | Survey says | Who published it |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing locks | $150 to $550 | Fixr (Jan. 2025) |
| Installing a new lock | $203 to $240 | Thumbtack (Oct. 2026) |
Check the door before buying a lock
A deadbolt that slides freely with the door open but binds once it's shut has a door problem. Denver air is dry, winters freeze, and older wood doors shift with the seasons. Across the Denver ZIPs we chart, 32% of homes were built before 1960 (Census ACS). Moving the strike costs less than a new lock, and a good locksmith checks for it first.
Lock grades, briefly
ANSI/BHMA grades rate durability. This Old House summarizes the cycle tests: Grade 1 at 800,000, Grade 2 at 400,000, Grade 3 at 200,000. For a front door, Grade 2 or better is a common choice.
What Denver callers ask about this
Can I keep my key when I change locks?
Often. New locks from the same brand can be pinned to your existing key, or every door can move to one new key.
Do I need a permit to change a lock?
Not to swap a lock on a door that's already there. Replacing the door or wiring an electric lock is different; ask whoever is doing that work.
Where these facts come from
- Locksmith Prices, Fixr (updated January 31, 2025)
- Locksmith Prices, Thumbtack (updated October 20, 2026)
- Lock Grades, This Old House (updated June 9, 2026)
- Summarized offenses for the Denver Police Department (CODPD0000), FBI Crime Data Explorer
- American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas and places, US Census Bureau