When someone leaves your business, every key they held is still out there. A rekey is the quick fix: we keep your existing locks but change the internal pins so the old keys stop working and a new key takes over. No ripping out hardware, no waiting days for parts. CLS handles commercial rekeys for offices, retail spots, and shops all over Thousand Oaks and Ventura County.
Most owners call us after a staff change, a lost master key, or buying out a space where they have no idea who still has a copy. Whatever the reason, the goal is the same — old keys dead, new keys working, doors back in your control the same day during business hours.
- Re-pin existing commercial locks so old keys stop working — no full hardware swap
- Mobile service to your office, store, or shop anywhere in Ventura County
- Same-day rekeys during business hours, most jobs done in one visit
- Master key systems set up so each person opens only what they should
- Free written estimate before any work starts — no surprise pricing
- Licensed & insured, CA BSIS #LCO8562, based in Thousand Oaks
When a business needs a rekey
The most common reason is turnover. A manager quits, a cleaning crew is let go, or you hand a key back from a contractor and start wondering how many copies floated around the office. Rekeying every affected lock means none of those old keys open anything anymore.
It also comes up when you take over a new lease near The Oaks mall or a strip unit off Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The previous tenant, their staff, the property manager, the old landlord — any of them could still have working keys. A fresh rekey on day one wipes that slate clean. Same goes for a lost or stolen key ring, or when you want to set up a master key so one key opens everything and individual keys only open what each person should touch.
What CLS does on the job
We come to you. After a quick look at your doors, we tell you exactly which locks can be rekeyed and what it'll cost before we touch anything. Most standard commercial cylinders rekey on the spot. If a lock is worn out or the wrong grade for a busy storefront, we'll say so instead of pinning a tired lock back together.
Then we re-pin each cylinder to a new key, test every door, and cut you the new keys on site. Want different access levels for different staff? We can set up a master key system so the back office, supply room, and front door each open with the right keys and nothing extra. You walk away knowing precisely who can open what.
What to expect on timing and cost
A single office or two doors is usually quick. A larger building with a dozen cylinders and a master plan takes longer, but we knock most jobs out in one visit during business hours. We'll give you a free estimate up front, and the price depends on how many locks you have and whether you want a master system — not a number we make up after the work is done.
CLS is licensed and insured (CA BSIS #LCO8562), local to Thousand Oaks, and serving businesses across the Conejo Valley, Ventura County, and the west San Fernando Valley. Free estimates, satisfaction guaranteed, and a real person answers the phone.
Rekey or replace? A decision matrix
Rekeying changes the pins inside a lock so old keys stop working; replacing swaps the hardware itself. Here is how to tell which one a situation calls for.
| Condition of the lock | Action required | Relative cost | Security outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works fine, but you just moved in or don't know who has keys | Rekey | Lowest — new pins and keys, same hardware | Every old key stops working |
| A key was lost or stolen | Rekey the affected locks | Low | The missing key no longer opens anything |
| Staff or tenant turnover | Rekey, or rekey into a master key system | Low to moderate | Former keys are revoked; access can be tiered door by door |
| You want one key for several doors | Rekey to key-alike (same brand and keyway) | Low | One key for every matched door; mixed brands may need a cylinder swap |
| Worn, sticking, damaged, or broken | Repair or replace the hardware | Moderate | Reliable locking restored — rekeying alone won't fix mechanical wear |
| You want more protection or key control | Replace with high-security or Grade 1 hardware | Higher | Pick-, drill-, and bump-resistant locks with restricted keys |
| You want code, phone, or fingerprint entry | Replace with a smart lock | Moderate to higher | Access codes can be added or removed without cutting keys |