If you just moved into a Williamsburg apartment, handed keys to a contractor, or ended a tenancy, you should not be sharing a keyway with anyone from the building's past. A lock change or rekey fixes that fast. B & G Locksmith operates out of the counter inside B & G Hardware at 210 Robeling St in Williamsburg. Walk in, drop off your cylinder, and pick up new keys while you wait. No dispatch. No surprise truck fee. A real storefront you can walk up to.
What is the difference between a lock change and a rekey, and which one do you need?
A rekey means a locksmith disassembles your existing cylinder and replaces the internal pins so that only a new key works. The hardware stays on your door. A lock change means the entire lock unit comes off and a new one goes on. Here is a simple way to decide:
- Rekey - your lock is in good working condition, you just need old keys to stop working. Common after moving into a Bed-Stuy rental or a Greenpoint co-op.
- Lock change - the lock is worn, damaged, or you are upgrading to a higher-security or smart lock model.
- Rekey to match - you want one key to open your front door, back door, and mailbox. We can key multiple locks alike as long as they share a compatible keyway.
Rekeying typically costs less because labor is shorter and no new hardware is needed. A basic rekey on a Kwikset or Schlage entry lock in Brooklyn runs roughly $25 to $50 per cylinder for in-shop work and $50 to $85 on-site. Lock replacements depend heavily on the hardware you choose - see the next section.
Which locks do we carry and install for Brooklyn apartments and storefronts?
Because B & G Locksmith shares a floor with B & G Hardware, we stock locks on the shelf. You are not waiting for a special order. Here are the lines we work with most often:
- Schlage B60N and B62N deadbolts - solid Grade 1 deadbolts that satisfy most NYC lease requirements. Good starting point for Williamsburg and Bushwick rentals.
- Medeco Maxum and Biaxial cylinders - high-security picks for buildings in Downtown Brooklyn or East Williamsburg where key control matters. Medeco keys cannot be copied without authorization.
- Mul-T-Lock MT5+ - another restricted keyway option popular with landlords and supers who manage multiple units and need to know no duplicate keys are floating around.
- Schlage Encode and Encode Plus smart deadbolts - WiFi-enabled, no hub required, works with Apple Home and Amazon Alexa. A practical upgrade for Williamsburg homeowners or small business owners who want remote access.
- Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts - budget-friendly and rekeyable in the field without removing the lock from the door. Useful for landlords managing turnover across multiple units in Bed-Stuy or Greenpoint.
Hardware pricing ranges from about $40 for a basic Kwikset to $300 or more for a Medeco or Mul-T-Lock cylinder. Installation labor varies by door type and condition. We do not quote specific prices here because every door is different - call or stop by and we will give you a straight answer.
How does the process work at B & G Locksmith in Williamsburg?
There are two ways to get this done:
- Walk in - Bring your cylinder or bring your key to 210 Robeling St. For a standard rekey on a Kwikset or Schlage, we can often hand it back to you the same day. New keys are cut at the counter while you wait.
- On-site visit - We come to your door anywhere in Brooklyn or the five boroughs. This is the right move when the lock needs to come off the door, when you have multiple units to rekey, or when you are installing a new deadbolt, smart lock, or commercial grade hardware.
For landlords and supers managing buildings in Williamsburg, East Williamsburg, or Bushwick, we also set up master key systems. One key opens every unit. Each tenant key only opens their own door. We handle the whole system from planning to cutting.
If you have a commercial property with a rolling gate or aluminum storefront door, we handle those cylinders too. Storefront lock changes and commercial rekeys are a regular part of what we do.
Ready to get started? Call B & G Locksmith at (347) 699-9268 or stop by 210 Robeling St in Williamsburg. We serve all of Brooklyn and the five boroughs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a lock rekey take at B & G Locksmith?
Most rekeys take 10 to 20 minutes per lock in the shop. An on-site visit for multiple locks typically runs 30 to 60 minutes depending on the number of cylinders and the lock brand.
Can I rekey my lock to match my other locks so one key opens everything?
Yes. As long as your locks share the same keyway or can be swapped to one, we can key them alike. This is one of the most common requests we get from Brooklyn renters moving into a new apartment.
Do I need to replace the whole lock or just rekey it?
Rekeying is enough when the hardware is in good shape and you just want to cancel old keys. Replacement makes sense when the lock is worn, damaged, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security or smart lock model.
Need a locksmith in Williamsburg? Walk in or call - we are on the corner.
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