Home Rekeying & Deadbolt Upgrades
Moving into a new home in Burlington — whether it's a century-old semi-detached near the Aldershot GO station or a newer build in the Millcroft neighborhood — is exciting. But there's one step most new homeowners overlook on moving day: changing who has a key to their front door. Previous owners, former tenants, contractors, real estate agents, and anyone they ever handed a copy to still have access to your property until you take action. Mountain Breeze Locksmith Burlington resolves that exposure quickly and affordably, with a mobile service that comes directly to your home — no need to remove locks, drive to a hardware store, or wait days for an appointment.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed, bonded & insured
Our trained, insured technicians handle everything from a straightforward rekey of a door knob lock to a full security audit that adds grade-rated deadbolts, mortise lock hardware, and reinforced strike plates. We work on all major residential lock systems, and because we operate 24/7 across Burlington and the surrounding communities along the Niagara Escarpment corridor, you can schedule service the moment the moving truck pulls away — or call us at 2 a.m. if a security concern comes up after you've settled in.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and holidays — a real local locksmith answers and rolls a fully-stocked van.
Fast local response
Based in Burlington, we reach the Burlington area in well under an hour.
Insured & background-checked
Vetted technicians, up-front pricing, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
Why Home Rekeying & Deadbolt Upgrades Should Be Your First Call as a New Owner
Rekeying a lock means a technician disassembles the cylinder and replaces the internal pin tumbens so that all previous keys are immediately rendered useless — only the fresh-cut keys we hand you on the spot will work. This process typically preserves your existing hardware, which keeps disruption and cost lower than a full lock replacement. The factors that shape the final price include the number of lock cylinders being rekeyed, the type and brand of hardware already installed (a Schlage B-series deadbolt and a Kwikset entry knob involve different cylinder configurations), the time of day you call, and travel distance from our dispatch location to your Burlington address. We always confirm an exact, up-front price before any work begins — no surprises on the invoice.
For homes where the existing locks are worn, builder-grade, or simply not up to the level of security you want, we go further. Adding a Grade 1 or Grade 2 ANSI-rated deadbolt alongside or in place of a door knob lock dramatically raises the force required to defeat the door. A door knob lock, even a quality one, was never engineered as a primary security device — its locking mechanism sits right at the knob, making it vulnerable to wrench attacks. Pairing it with a properly installed deadbolt changes that equation entirely.
Mortise Lock Installation: The Highest-Grade Option for Burlington Homes
If you've purchased an older character home — the kind you find along Lakeshore Road near Spencer Smith Park, or the heritage streetscapes of central Burlington — there's a good chance your door already has a mortise lock pocket cut into it. A mortise lock is a self-contained unit that fits into a deep rectangular cavity in the door's edge and combines the latch, deadbolt, and sometimes even a privacy function into a single mechanism. Because the entire assembly is embedded in the door rather than surface-mounted, it's far more resistant to kick-in and prying forces than a standard cylindrical lock. Our technicians are experienced in mortise lock service, including cylinder replacement, full unit swaps to modern high-security models, and fitting new mortise hardware into doors that were previously prepared for it.
For new-construction homes in areas like Tyandaga or Brant Hills where mortise pockets are less common, we can also assess whether a mortise lock retrofit makes structural sense, or whether a heavy-duty Grade 1 deadbolt and reinforced strike plate will deliver comparable protection for your door type. Every recommendation we make is based on your actual door frame, jamb condition, and day-to-day usage — not a one-size-fits-all package.
Our Full Range of Residential Lock Services for New Homeowners
Mountain Breeze Locksmith Burlington provides a comprehensive list of specific services, so new homeowners can address every entry point in one visit. Our mobile units arrive stocked with common parts, meaning most jobs are completed on-site without a return trip. Services we regularly perform include: residential lock rekeying (single cylinder), residential lock rekeying (double cylinder), master key system setup for multi-door homes, deadbolt installation (Grade 1 ANSI), deadbolt installation (Grade 2 ANSI), mortise lock cylinder replacement, full mortise lock unit replacement, high-security mortise lock upgrade, door knob lock replacement, door knob lock rekeying, lever-handle lock replacement, lever-handle lock rekeying, smart lock installation and programming, smart lock conversion from traditional deadbolt, keypad lock installation, sliding door lock upgrade, sliding door pin lock addition, patio door bar lock fitting, strike plate reinforcement with three-inch screws, door frame and jamb reinforcement assessment, security chain installation, door viewer (peephole) installation, window lock inspection and upgrade, garage side-entry door lock replacement, mailbox lock replacement, padlock rekeying for outbuildings or gate locks, key duplication from existing locks, lock lubrication and maintenance service, and emergency lockout service for homeowners locked out of their own property. If you don't see your specific need listed, call (289) 906-8618 and we'll confirm whether we can help — we answer 24/7.
How Our Mobile Emergency Locksmith Service Works in Burlington
Being a fully mobile operation means our technicians drive to your address carrying the tools and parts needed to complete most jobs on the first visit. You don't transport heavy door hardware across Burlington or leave your door unattended. When a security situation is urgent — a break-in attempt, a failed lock cylinder, or a lockout — our emergency locksmith response is available around the clock, including weekends and statutory holidays. Burlington's older east-end neighborhoods and the newer west-end subdivisions near Appleby Line can have very different door prep configurations, and our technicians are familiar with both, which reduces diagnostic time on site.
We also work alongside residential clients who are undergoing renovations and need a commercial locksmith perspective on access control for properties that function as both a home and a workspace — a home-based business or a multi-unit property, for example. Our insured team can advise on whether a master key hierarchy, a keypad system, or a combination of both suits the layout. Whatever the scope, the process is the same: we assess, quote up front, complete the work damage-free where possible, test every mechanism before we leave, and hand you your keys.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rekeying a lock and replacing it entirely?
Rekeying means a technician changes the internal pins inside your existing lock cylinder so that only a new key will operate it. All previous keys — including copies held by former owners, tenants, or contractors — stop working immediately. The outer hardware stays in place. Replacing a lock means the entire unit, cylinder and all, is swapped out with new hardware. Rekeying is often the right choice when the existing hardware is in good condition and the right grade for your security needs. Full replacement makes sense when the lock is worn, damaged, a low-security builder grade, or when you want to upgrade to a mortise lock, a smart lock, or a higher-rated deadbolt. Our technician will assess your door and explain which option fits your situation before any work begins.
How much does rekeying or a deadbolt upgrade cost in Burlington?
We don't publish fixed rates because several variables shape the final figure: the number and type of lock cylinders involved (a standard door knob lock and a mortise lock cylinder require different labor and parts), whether you're adding new hardware or rekeying existing hardware, the time of day you call (24/7 availability means night and holiday calls involve different considerations), travel distance to your Burlington address, and any additional components like strike plates or smart modules. What we can promise is an exact, confirmed price before a single screw is turned. There are no hidden fees added after the job.
Is it really necessary to rekey the locks when I move into a new home?
Yes, and it's one of the most important security steps a new homeowner can take. When you receive keys at closing, you're typically getting only the set the seller chose to hand over. Keys may have been copied for house cleaners, dog walkers, previous tenants, family members, or tradespeople over the years, and there's no practical way to account for all of them. A rekey immediately voids every one of those copies at a fraction of the cost of replacing all your hardware. It's a straightforward, non-invasive process that our technicians complete on-site, usually within the same visit as any other lock upgrades you need.
What makes a mortise lock more secure than a standard deadbolt or door knob lock?
A mortise lock is set into a deep pocket cut into the door's edge, making the entire locking mechanism part of the door structure rather than sitting on its surface. This embedded design resists prying and kicking forces much more effectively than a surface-mounted cylindrical lock. A door knob lock, for example, has its mechanism at the knob itself, making it susceptible to being twisted or wrenched off. A standard deadbolt improves on that significantly, but a quality mortise lock combines a robust latch and deadbolt function in a single heavy-duty unit that distributes stress across more of the door's thickness. For older Burlington homes that already have a mortise pocket, upgrading the cylinder or the full unit to a modern high-security model is one of the highest-value security improvements available.
Do your technicians work in all Burlington neighborhoods, and are they available on weekends and holidays?
Yes on both counts. Mountain Breeze Locksmith Burlington operates as a fully mobile service across Burlington — from the lakefront streets near the Burlington Waterfront Trail to the residential areas around Appleby Line in the west end, the Aldershot corridor, and communities along the Niagara Escarpment foothills. We dispatch 24/7, including weekends and statutory holidays. If you have a lock emergency, a move-in rekeying, or a deadbolt upgrade you want done today, call (289) 906-8618 and we'll confirm an estimated arrival time for your specific location.
Can you handle both residential rekeying and commercial lock work if I run a business from my home?
Absolutely. Our team includes technicians with commercial locksmith experience who understand the difference between a home that needs basic rekeying and a property that also functions as a business and requires a more structured access system. We can install master key hierarchies that give you individual key control over different areas, set up keypad or smart access on a business entrance while keeping residential entries on a traditional key system, or advise on mortise lock hardware that meets higher commercial duty ratings. Call (289) 906-8618 to describe your setup and we'll tailor a solution that fits both your residential security needs and your professional access requirements.