All Points Locksmith Service Team
Local locksmith team
Apr 30, 2026 10 min read
Congratulations on your new home in St. Johns County — whether you've landed in a quiet Nocatee cul-de-sac, a historic neighborhood near the St. Augustine shores, or a newer build off CR-210. Before you unpack the last box, there's one security task that can't wait: changing access to your front door. The previous owners, their real estate agents, contractors, dog-sitters, and anyone else who ever held a key still has the ability to walk right in. The question most new homeowners ask is simple — do I rekey my locks, or replace them entirely?
The answer depends on the condition of your hardware, the type of locks already installed, and what level of security you're aiming for. This guide breaks down both options honestly, so you can make the right call for your home and budget — without overpaying for work you don't need or underspending on security that matters.
## Rekey vs. Replace: What's Actually Happening to Your Lock?
Rekeying and replacing are not the same thing, and the difference matters. When a locksmith **rekeys** your lock, the cylinder inside the existing hardware is disassembled and the small spring-loaded pins inside are rearranged or swapped out. The result: your old keys no longer work, and a fresh set is cut to match the new pin configuration. The lock body, the door knob lock hardware, the strike plate — all of it stays exactly where it is. It's a precise, technical job, but it doesn't require replacing anything structural.
A full **lock replacement**, on the other hand, means the existing hardware comes off the door entirely and new hardware is installed from scratch. This is the right move when the current lock is worn, damaged, outdated, or simply not up to the security standard you want. It's also the better choice when you're upgrading to a mortise lock — a more robust lock format that fits into a deep pocket (or 'mortise') cut into the door edge, offering significantly stronger resistance to forced entry than a standard cylindrical knob-and-deadbolt setup. Many older St. Johns County homes and most commercial properties in the area use mortise locks precisely because of that added strength. Understanding which type of lock you already have is step one.
## When Rekeying Is the Smart First Move for St. Johns County Homeowners
If your existing locks are in good working condition — the deadbolt throws smoothly, the door knob lock turns without grinding, the hardware is less than 10 years old and shows no signs of rust or forced entry — rekeying is almost always the most efficient path forward. You're not paying for new hardware you don't need, and you're still accomplishing the most important goal: making every previously cut key permanently useless. This covers the seller, their family members, past tenants if the home was previously rented, cleaning crews, and contractors you've never met.
Rekeying also gives you the opportunity to **key alike** multiple locks throughout your home — meaning your front door, back door, side gate, and any outbuildings can all be operated with a single key. For homeowners with several entry points, that convenience alone makes rekeying worth scheduling immediately after closing. Our team serves the full St. Johns County area, from Palm Valley to Ponte Vedra Beach to World Golf Village, and we can handle multi-point rekeying in a single visit. If you've just moved in and want your locks addressed today, call **(904) 478-1963** — we answer around the clock.
## When Full Lock Replacement — Including Mortise Lock Upgrades — Makes More Sense
There are clear scenarios where rekeying simply isn't enough. If the existing hardware is visibly worn, has loose tolerances, shows scratch marks around the keyhole (a sign that someone may have attempted to pick or bump the lock), or if the locks are older builder-grade units that were never high security to begin with, a full replacement is the more responsible choice. The same applies when you're moving into a home with an older mortise lock that's been poorly maintained — a skilled locksmith can assess whether the mortise pocket and lock body are still structurally sound, or whether the whole assembly needs to come out.
Upgrading to a quality mortise lock is one of the most meaningful security improvements a homeowner can make. Unlike a standard door knob lock and deadbolt combination, a mortise lock integrates the latch, deadbolt, and often a lever handle into a single, deeply embedded unit that's far harder to kick in or manipulate. Brands like Schlage and Kwikset both offer quality mortise lock options at different security grades. Our experienced technicians can walk you through which format fits your door thickness, frame condition, and security goals — and we'll confirm an exact up-front price before any work begins, based on factors like the lock type selected, parts needed, and time of the service call.
## Locksmith St. Johns County: What to Expect on Pricing and Call-Out Fees
One of the most common questions we hear from new homeowners is: *What is a locksmith call-out fee?* A call-out fee (sometimes called a service fee or trip charge) is the base charge a locksmith applies to arrive at your location — separate from the labor and parts cost of the actual job. *What is the average call out fee for a locksmith?* The honest answer is that it varies depending on your location within St. Johns County, the time of day (overnight and holiday calls involve different logistics), and the provider. At All Points Locksmith, we factor travel distance and time of service into a single transparent quote you approve before we start.
*How much should a locksmith cost per hour?* And *how much does a locksmith cost in Florida?* These are fair questions, but hourly rates alone don't tell the full story — a faster, more experienced technician might complete a rekeying job in a fraction of the time a less practiced one would, making the per-job cost more meaningful than an hourly figure. What matters is that you know the full cost before you commit. We provide exactly that: a confirmed, up-front quote that accounts for the lock or hardware type, any parts required, the complexity of the job, and the time of your call. There are no surprise charges after the work is done.
*Is there a locksmith in St. Johns, Florida?* Yes — All Points Locksmith is based right here and serves the entire county, including the town of St. Johns, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
## Beyond Moving In: A Full Range of Locksmith Services for Home, Car & Business
Security needs don't stop at your front door, and neither do we. Whether you're locked out of your car in a Publix parking lot off Race Track Road, need a new key programmed for your truck, or manage a commercial property that requires a mortise lock overhaul across multiple entry points — our mobile team handles it all. Here's a look at the specific services we provide throughout St. Johns County: **Residential Services** 1. Home lockout assistance (ownership verification, no forced entry) 2. Residential rekeying (single door or whole-home key-alike) 3. Deadbolt installation and upgrade 4. Mortise lock installation and repair 5. Door knob lock replacement 6. High-security lock installation (Schlage, Kwikset, and comparable grades) 7. Smart lock installation and programming 8. Door hardware alignment and repair 9. Sliding door lock installation 10. Window lock installation 11. Garage entry door lock upgrade 12. Lock-box installation for spare key access **Automotive Services** 13. Car lockout service — ownership-verified entry assistance 14. Car key replacement (traditional and transponder keys) 15. Key fob programming and replacement 16. Laser-cut and high-security vehicle key cutting 17. Ignition repair and replacement 18. Broken key extraction from ignition or door lock 19. Motorcycle and recreational vehicle key cutting **Commercial Locksmith Services** 20. Commercial mortise lock installation and service 21. Master key system design and implementation 22. Access control system installation 23. Panic bar (exit device) installation and repair 24. Commercial door knob lock and lever replacement 25. High-security commercial deadbolt installation 26. Safe opening and combination changes 27. Emergency commercial lockout response If you're a business owner wondering *I need a locksmith for my business* — our commercial locksmith services are built for exactly that need, with the same 24/7 availability and up-front pricing that residential customers receive. Call **(904) 478-1963** any time, day or night.
## What to Do Right Now If You're Locked Out or Need Immediate Help
If you find yourself in a lockout situation — whether it's your home after a long move-in day or your car in a St. Johns County parking lot — the safest immediate steps are: check for an unlocked alternate entry point (garage door, rear door, a window you intentionally left unlatched), contact a family member who may have a spare key, and if neither option resolves it, call a professional locksmith rather than attempting anything that could damage your door frame, lock, or vehicle. Forced DIY entry attempts frequently cause hundreds of dollars in door or frame damage that far exceeds the cost of a legitimate service call.
All Points Locksmith operates as a fully mobile, insured team with no storefront to commute back to — we dispatch directly to your location, whether that's a residential address in Julington Creek, a commercial building near the St. Johns County Administration building on US-1, or a roadside car lockout anywhere in the county. We verify ownership before performing any lockout service, protecting both you and the integrity of the work we do. When an emergency locksmith is what you need, we're available right now — **(904) 478-1963**, answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a locksmith in St. Johns, Florida available after hours?+
Yes. All Points Locksmith serves the town of St. Johns and the entire surrounding county 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including nights, weekends, and holidays. There is no after-hours cutoff. Call (904) 478-1963 any time you need assistance.
What is a locksmith call-out fee, and will I be charged one by All Points Locksmith?+
A call-out fee is a base charge for a locksmith traveling to your location, separate from labor and parts. The factors that influence it include your location within St. Johns County, the time of day, and the distance traveled. At All Points Locksmith, we build all applicable fees into a single transparent quote you approve before any work begins — so you always know the full cost up front with no surprises.
How much does a locksmith cost in Florida for rekeying vs. replacing a mortise lock?+
The cost depends on several factors: the type of lock involved (a standard door knob lock, a deadbolt, or a more complex mortise lock), whether parts are needed, the number of locks being serviced, and the time of the service call. We don't publish flat rates because every job is different — instead, we provide an exact, confirmed price before we start any work. Call (904) 478-1963 for a straight answer specific to your situation.
Should I rekey or fully replace the locks on a newly purchased home in St. Johns County?+
If the existing hardware is in good condition and less than 10 years old, rekeying is typically the most efficient option — it invalidates every previously cut key at a fraction of the cost of full replacement. However, if the locks are worn, damaged, builder-grade quality, or if you want to upgrade to a stronger format like a mortise lock, full replacement is the smarter long-term investment. Our technicians will assess your specific hardware on-site and recommend the right approach before any work begins.
