The First Thing You Should Do in Your New Home
You've just moved in. Boxes everywhere, paint colors to choose, a kitchen to unpack. The last thing on your mind is the locks. But it should be the first.
Here's why rekeying your locks should be your #1 priority on moving day.
Who Has Your Key?
You don't know. That's the problem. When you move into a new home, the previous owner, tenant, or builder likely gave you a set of keys. But how many other copies exist?
- The previous owner's family members
- Neighbors who were given a spare for emergencies
- The real estate agent who showed the property
- Contractors or handymen who worked on the house
- A housekeeper or cleaning service
- A pet sitter or dog walker
- The previous tenant's friends or roommates
- Whoever found the spare key under the rock / mat / flowerpot
Any of these people could still have a key to your home. And you have no way of knowing.
Rekeying Solves This — Immediately
Rekeying changes the lock's internal pins so all old keys stop working. In one visit, a locksmith can rekey every exterior lock on your home and give you a fresh set of keys. After that, the only people who can get in are the people you give keys to.
It's fast (30-45 minutes for a typical home), affordable ($120-$300 for 3-4 locks), and gives you complete control over who has access.
Rekeying vs Replacing After a Move
For most homes, rekeying is the right choice after moving in:
- Rekeying costs $40-$100 per lock — much cheaper than replacement
- Takes 10-15 minutes per lock — quick and non-disruptive
- Keeps existing hardware — no need to replace locks that work fine
- All locks can be keyed alike — one key opens every door
Replace instead of rekey if:
- The locks are 10+ years old — they're near end of life anyway
- The locks are cheap or low-grade — upgrading to Grade 1 is worth it
- The locks are damaged or stiff — rekeying won't fix mechanical problems
- You want smart locks — keypad or app-controlled entry requires new hardware
Which Locks to Rekey
At minimum, rekey every lock that provides access to the interior of your home:
- Front door deadbolt ✅
- Back door deadbolt ✅
- Side door or garage entry ✅
- Screen/storm door lock (if it has one) ✅
- Garage door (if it has a keyed lock) ✅
- Mailbox lock (if someone else had the key) ✅
- Storage shed ✅
Interior doors (bedrooms, bathrooms) don't need rekeying unless you have specific privacy concerns.
Should You Upgrade While You're At It?
If your new home has Grade 3 or no-name deadbolts, consider upgrading to Grade 1 while the locksmith is there. The cost difference is:
- Rekey existing Grade 3 lock: $40-$100
- Replace with Grade 1 deadbolt (installed): $75-$200
For $35-$100 more per lock, you get significantly better security. If you're already paying for a locksmith visit, the upgrade is worth it — especially for your main entry door.
The "Key Alike" Bonus
One major benefit of rekeying after a move: you can have all locks keyed to a single key. If your new home has 3 exterior doors with different keys, rekeying can make them all work with one key. No more fumbling to find the right key at each door.
What About Smart Locks?
If you're planning to install smart locks (keypad, fingerprint, or smartphone-controlled), now is the time. Instead of rekeying the old locks, replace them with smart locks. You'll never need to rekey again — just change the code or add/remove users in the app.
Popular smart locks for new homeowners:
- Schlage Encode — Built-in keypad, no hub needed, $200-$250
- Yale Assure Lock 2 — Keypad + optional key, $200-$280
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock — Retrofit on existing deadbolt, $200-$250
How to Get It Done
- Make a list of all exterior locks that need rekeying
- Call a locksmith — schedule for your first day in the new home if possible
- Ask about keying alike — one key for all exterior doors
- Ask about upgrading — get a price for replacing the front door with a Grade 1 deadbolt
- Decide on smart locks — if you want them, have them installed instead of rekeying
- Keep track of keys — know exactly how many you have and who you give them to
FAQ
Do I need to rekey my locks if I bought a new construction home?
Yes. Even new homes have had contractors, builders, and real estate agents with access. The builder may have used a master key for all the homes in the development. Rekey before move-in day.
How soon should I rekey after moving in?
On day one, before you unpack. Ideally, before you spend your first night in the new home. If that's not possible, do it within the first few days. Don't wait weeks — every day is a day when someone else could access your home.
Can I rekey just one lock and replace the others?
Yes. A common approach is to replace the front door lock with a Grade 1 deadbolt and rekey the back and side doors. This gives you the best security where it matters most while keeping costs down on secondary doors.
How much does it cost to rekey a whole house?
For a typical home with 3-4 exterior locks, rekeying costs $120-$300. If you also want them all keyed to a single key, there's no extra charge — the locksmith does it as part of the rekeying process.
Need rekeying services service right now? Call (855) 373-1159 and our 24/7 dispatch center will connect you with a licensed professional near you.