When a commercial tenant leaves, prior keys may still work. Rekeying sound hardware is the usual way to retire those keys without replacing every lock. Replacement is the path when cylinders are worn, damaged, or incompatible with the master-key plan you need.
Swift Key San Diego is a referral service. Independent licensed locksmiths inspect the openings, preserve or rebuild master-keying if they can, and set their own terms. They do not decide lease liability or insurance coverage.
When rekeying beats replacing for commercial spaces
A locksmith changes the pin configuration so old keys fail and new keys work. That is faster than swapping every lock when the hardware still operates and meets the security level you want.
Choose replacement when locks bind, show damage, or you want a different grade, finish, or electronic access. Standardizing mixed hardware across units is also a replacement job. For service scope, see commercial locksmith and lock rekey.
Master key systems at turnover
Many office and multi-unit properties use a master key: management opens every assigned lock, while each tenant has a key limited to their space. See master key systems for businesses.
At turnover, pinning one suite without reading the hierarchy can break the master or leave a sub-master working. Tell the locksmith:
- Whether a master, sub-master, or construction key was issued
- Which doors the outgoing tenant could open
- Whether the next tenant should stay on the same system
The locksmith confirms whether they can rekey the suite and keep the master intact, or whether the chart needs a larger change.
Planning the visit (no promised turnaround)
Vacancy cost is a business issue. Locksmith duration is not a published SLA. Cylinder count, mortise or storefront hardware, and master-key complexity control the visit length. Book after you have a firm move-out date and a door list. The independent locksmith states when they can arrive.
What belongs on the quote
Ask for an itemized estimate:
- Trip charge, if any
- Each cylinder: rekey, replace, or leave
- Master-key work as its own lines
- Extra keys and which tier they belong to
- Hardware the locksmith will supply, if any
Do not use a per-suite round number as a substitute for that list. Swift Key does not set commercial prices.
For how rekeying compares with new hardware on a door-by-door basis, see rekey vs. new locks.
Access control upgrades worth considering
Keypads, fobs, and full access control let you issue and revoke credentials without pinning cylinders every turnover. They have their own install, power, and software needs. Treat them as a separate project unless the same locksmith is quoting both. Explore options through a commercial locksmith referral.
What to ask before anyone starts
- California locksmith licensing: you can look up a company on the DCA / BSIS search. A license search is not proof of insurance; ask the locksmith for current insurance certificates if you need them.
- Commercial and master-key experience on hardware like yours.
- Written, itemized scope and total.
- Warranty, if any, in the locksmith’s own written terms. Swift Key does not warrant the work.
- Their availability relative to your turnover date, as they state it.
Duplicating an office or building key explains which keys a copy shop may refuse. That is useful before you assume the outgoing tenant could copy everything.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial lock rekeying cost per cylinder in San Diego?
The independent locksmith sets per-cylinder and trip charges. High-security, mortise, and master-key cylinders are quoted as their own lines. Ask for the written total before work.
How long does it take to rekey a commercial property between tenants?
It depends on opening count and system complexity. The locksmith estimates after seeing the hardware. Swift Key does not promise a same-day finish.
Who is responsible for rekeying the locks, the landlord or the tenant?
Read the lease. Responsibility is a contract question, not a locksmith rule. Owners and managers often rekey at turnover because they control building access, regardless of who pays under the lease. That is a practical choice, not legal advice.
Can I rekey the locks myself for a commercial property?
Simple single-cylinder hardware is still easy to ruin. Master-key systems should be pinned by someone who has the chart. A mistake can take the master offline for the property.
What if the previous tenant refuses to return all keys?
Rekey the openings they could use, if you have authority. Document missing keys for the lease file. Charging the tenant is a lease and collections question, not something a locksmith can settle.
When to call
When you have a commercial turnover in San Diego County and a door list, call (858) 400-4082 for a referral. The matched locksmith confirms authorization, master-key feasibility, and price.