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Schlage vs Kwikset vs Medeco: Which Locks Pay Best to Rekey

Updated 2026-05-27. Locksmith School PRO editorial team.

The Economics of Rekeying: Volume vs. Margin

When you arrive at a residential or commercial job, the customer rarely cares about the brand stamped on the faceplate. They want security, and they want it now. However, for you, the technician, the brand on the door dictates your profit margin. Understanding the labor-to-profit ratio of Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco is the difference between a break-even service call and a lucrative afternoon.

Rekeying is the bread and butter of the locksmith trade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for locksmiths is projected to grow, driven by the need to replace outdated locking systems and enhance security (BLS, 2024). While high-tech access control is expanding, the mechanical cylinder remains the most common hardware you will encounter. To maximize your earnings, you must approach each brand with a different pricing strategy and time expectation.

This guide breaks down the three most common brands you will encounter in the field. We will look at the specific mechanisms, the time required to rekey them, the market rates you can command, and the specific tooling required to do the job efficiently.

Kwikset: The Volume King

Kwikset is ubiquitous in residential construction, particularly in track homes and apartment complexes built within the last 20 years. You will see more Kwikset SmartKey and standard pin-tumbler locks than anything else on a typical Monday. The sheer volume of Kwikset locks means you will get fast, efficient work, but the market rate for rekeying them is often lower due to consumer perception of the brand as a "budget" option.

The SmartKey Mechanism

The majority of modern Kwikset locks utilize the SmartKey technology, which allows the user to rekey the lock themselves in seconds without removing it from the door. As a professional, this can be a double-edged sword. Customers often attempt this themselves and fail, stripping the cylinder or jamming the mechanism, requiring you to repair or replace the lock before you can even rekey it.

However, if the lock is functional, rekeying a SmartKey is the fastest task in your arsenal.

  1. Insert the current functioning key.
  2. Rotate the key 90 degrees clockwise.
  3. Insert the SmartKey learn tool into the small hole on the faceplate.
  4. Remove the original key.
  5. Insert the new key you wish to use.
  6. Rotate 180 degrees counter-clockwise.
  7. Remove the new key. The lock is rekeyed.

Time Estimate: 30 to 60 seconds per cylinder.

Pricing Strategy: Because this is so fast, you cannot charge a high per-cylinder labor rate without pushback. Instead, bundle this into a "Service Call + Rekey" minimum. You want to be in and out in under 30 minutes for a whole house. Charge a trip fee that covers your first hour, then a nominal fee per lock (e.g., $10–$15 per lock) to make the customer feel they are getting a deal, while your hourly rate remains high due to speed.

Standard Kwikset Pin-Tumblers

You will still encounter older Kwikset locks that do not use SmartKey. These function as standard five or six-pin pin-tumbler locks. They use a standard .115 diameter keyway.

The Process: You must disassemble the lock, remove the cylinder plug, dump the old pins, decode the new key using a gauge, and install new bottom pins. Kwikset pins are generally brass.

Time Estimate: 5 to 8 minutes per cylinder.

Pitfall: The tailpiece on Kwikset deadbolts can be tricky. If you do not align the tailpiece correctly with the thumbturn during reassembly, the bolt will not retract. Always test the mechanism three times before leaving the doorstep.

Schlage: The Industry Workhorse

Schlage is the standard for mid-grade residential and light commercial hardware. You will find the "Classic" series (F-series) and the "Commercial" series (L and B series) on everything from apartment complexes to office doors. Schlage generally commands a higher labor rate than Kwikset because the hardware is perceived as higher quality, and the rekeying process is slightly more involved.

The "C" Keyway and SecureKey

Most Schlage locks you encounter will use the "C" keyway (or the "E" keyway for commercial primus). Like Kwikset, Schlage attempted a user-rekeyable technology called "SecureKey," but it has largely fallen out of favor. You will mostly be dealing with standard pin-tumbler cylinders.

Schlage cylinders are tighter than Kwikset. The machining tolerances are better, which means the lock feels smoother, but it also means you must be precise with your pinning.

The Process:

  1. Remove the cylinder from the housing. This usually requires removing the interior rose or escutcheon.
  2. Remove the retaining clip or cap.
  3. Remove the plug.
  4. Dump the existing pins.
  5. Decode the cuts on the new key using a Schlage decoder (usually spaces 1-6).
  6. Select the appropriate bottom pins. Schlage uses a .115 diameter pin, but the lengths are distinct from Kwikset.
  7. Re-stack the chambers and reassemble.

Time Estimate: 6 to 10 minutes per cylinder.

Pricing Strategy: You can charge a premium for Schlage rekeys compared to Kwikset—typically in the $19 to $25 range per lock. Customers associate the brand with security, so they expect to pay a bit more. Furthermore, Schlage hardware is often more robust; removing the cylinder from a deadbolt without marring the finish requires patience and proper tooling (like a non-marring removal tool), which justifies the cost.

Commercial Functions

When moving into Schlage L-series (mortise locks) or B-series, the complexity increases. You are no longer just rekeying a cylinder; you may be dealing with best access control systems or classroom functions. If you are looking to expand beyond residential work into higher-paying commercial contracts, you need to understand the difference between a classroom function and a storeroom function. For a deeper dive into where the industry is heading regarding hardware trends, check out our analysis on Electronic Locks vs Mechanical: Which Makes Money in 2026.

Medeco: High Security, High Liability

Medeco represents the pinnacle of mechanical lock security for most general locksmithing applications. These are high-security locks featuring biaxial pins and sliders. They are found in government buildings, high-end commercial properties, and homes of clients who are serious about security.

Warning: Rekeying Medeco locks is not the same as rekeying a standard Kwikset or Schlage. It requires specialized training, specialized tools, and often, specialized legal standing.

The Medeco M3 and Biaxial Technology

Medeco locks use a pin-tumbler system that is angled. The key must lift the pin to a specific height and rotate it to a specific angle to engage the sidebar. This makes them virtually pick-resistant and bump-proof.

To rekey a Medeco cylinder, you need:

Time Estimate: 15 to 25 minutes per cylinder, assuming you have the key codes and the correct pins. If you have to decode the lock from scratch without a code, it can take significantly longer.

Licensing and Liability

This is the most critical section of this article. Medeco operates under a "Key Control" system. The keys are patented and restricted. You cannot buy Medeco blanks, pins, or cylinders at a standard hardware store. You must be a registered Medeco dealer.

Furthermore, many states require specific licensing to work on high-security locks. For example, if you are operating in the Southeast, you must adhere to strict regulations regarding who can possess key blanks and duplication equipment. If you are unsure about your legal standing to handle these keys, you should review resources like Locksmith Licensing in Alabama: The 2026 Guide to understand how regional laws apply to high-security hardware.

If a customer asks you to rekey a Medeco lock but they do not have the control key or the authorization card from the facility manager, you must refuse the job. Re-pinning a Medeco without authorization bypasses the very security feature the client paid for. If you bypass the key control and a breach occurs later, your liability is immense.

Pricing Strategy: This is high-margin work. Minimum service charges for Medeco jobs should start at $150+ just to show up, with per-cylinder rekeying fees ranging from $50 to $100+. You are charging for your specialized knowledge, your specialized tooling, and the liability you are assuming.

Required Tooling and Setup

To service these three brands efficiently, your van or shop must be organized. You cannot be fumbling for pins while the customer watches the clock.

Pin Kits

Do not buy mixed "universal" kits if you can avoid it. They are frustrating to use.

Decoders and Gauges

While experienced locksmiths can "read" a key by eye, using a space and depth gauge ensures accuracy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned technicians can get complacent with simple rekeys. Here are the most common errors that eat into your profits:

When to Call Someone Else

Knowing your limits protects your reputation and your license.

Restricted Keyways Without Authorization: If a client presents a lock with a "Do Not Duplicate" stamp that belongs to a proprietary institutional keyway (like Best or Falcon), and they do not have the control key, refer them to the institution that owns the keyway. Attempting to impression or bypass these without authorization can lead to legal action.

Electronic Failures: If a Schlage or Kwikset electronic lock (like the Encode or Obsidian) is failing to recognize codes, it is likely a board failure or a connectivity issue, not a mechanical rekeying problem. While mechanical troubleshooting is within your wheelhouse, complex firmware updates or module replacement on proprietary electronics might require manufacturer certification.

Safe Locks: Just because you can rekey a Medeco mortise cylinder does not mean you should service a Medeco safe lock. Safe manipulation and servicing is a completely different discipline. If a customer asks you to rekey a safe deposit box or a vault door, and you are not a certified safe technician, decline the job.

Conclusion

Mastering the rekeying process for Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco allows you to service 95% of the locks you will encounter in the field. Kwikset provides the volume to keep your schedule full; Schlage offers the reliability and standard pricing to maintain your margins; and Medeco provides the high-ticket, specialized work that establishes you as a security expert.

Success in this trade is not just about turning a wrench. It is about knowing which jobs to take, how to price them based on the brand and complexity, and when to upgrade your skills to handle high-security systems. If you are looking to systematize your pricing and learn the advanced techniques required for high-security cylinders, you can review the Locksmith School PRO training overview to structure your business growth.

Ready to refine your technique and build a profitable locksmithing business? start the Locksmith School PRO free signup today and get access to the resources that help you work smarter, not harder.