What lock replacement costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Lock installation, Vancouver Per lock; depends on lock and door | $100–$250 |
| Standard deadbolt installed, Vancouver | $80–$160 |
| High-security or smart lock, Vancouver | $180–$300 |
| Deadbolt installation, Canada Per lock | $100–$350 |
| Locksmith service call, Canada Average about $150 | $75–$250 |
When the new lock fits the existing holes, installation is quick. The cost rises when the door has to be drilled, the latch mortise enlarged, or a split frame repaired around the strike first.
Replace or rekey?
If the locks work fine and you just want old keys to stop working, such as after moving in or a tenant leaving, rekeying changes the pins inside the existing lock so a new key operates it. It is usually cheaper than new hardware. Replace when the hardware is worn, loose, a style you want to change, or when you are upgrading security or going keyless.
In BC, servicing, repairing and rekeying locks is locksmith work, and locksmiths must hold a security worker licence under the province's Security Services Act. Ask to see it. We fit new hardware and repair the door and frame around it; rekeying goes to a licensed locksmith.
Locks in BC rentals and strata buildings
Under BC's Residential Tenancy Act, a new tenant can ask the landlord to rekey or change the locks at the start of a tenancy so the previous tenant's keys no longer work, and the landlord pays for it. During a tenancy, a tenant may only change the locks with the landlord's written permission or an order from the Residential Tenancy Branch, and a landlord cannot lock a tenant out.
In a strata building, the suite entry door is usually fire-rated and often common property, and bylaws may control the hardware and its finish. Check with your strata before changing an entry lock or adding a smart lock.
What moves the price
- Grade of the lock. Deadbolts are rated by ANSI/BHMA grade; Grade 1 is the strongest and costs more.
- Fit. Most replacement locks fit a standard 2⅛-inch hole with a 2⅜ or 2¾-inch backset. Non-standard or older doors may need drilling or a filler plate.
- Smart locks cost more to buy and take longer to set up.
- Keyed alike. Buying several locks keyed alike, so one key opens every door, saves rekeying later.
- The frame. A deadbolt is only as strong as the strike plate. Longer screws through the strike into the wall framing make a big difference; see door frame repair.
How a lock is replaced
- Remove the interior and exterior halves of the old knob or deadbolt, then the latch or bolt from the door edge.
- Check the hole size and backset, and fit the new latch or bolt.
- Mount the two halves through the door and tighten the screws evenly.
- Fit the new strike plate, using 3-inch screws into the framing on exterior doors.
- Test the latch and bolt with the door open and closed, and check every key.
Doing several doors at once
Lock replacement is a classic job to bundle, particularly on a rental turnover or right after buying a house. One visit can replace every lock keyed alike, fix a door that will not latch, and adjust sticking doors. See how to fix a door that won't latch and our rental turnover service.
Common questions
How much does it cost to change the locks on a house?
In Vancouver, installing a lock typically costs $100–$250 per lock. Rekeying the existing locks is usually cheaper if they are in good condition.
Can a handyman replace a deadbolt?
Fitting a new deadbolt that suits the existing holes is routine door work. Rekeying, repinning and repairing locks is locksmith work, which in BC requires a security worker licence.
Do BC landlords have to change locks between tenants?
If the new tenant asks at the start of the tenancy, yes: the landlord must rekey or change the locks so the old keys no longer work, at the landlord's cost. Many landlords do it at every turnover anyway.
Related guides
Compiled from published 2026 Vancouver and Canadian locksmith pricing (HomeStars and Vancouver locksmiths' rate pages), in CAD. Tenancy rules from the BC Residential Tenancy Branch; licensing from BC's Security Services Act. We update these figures as we complete jobs.