Should I rekey or replace the locks when I move into a new house?
Rekey if the existing locks are sound and in good working order; replace them if they are worn, damaged, loose or a mismatched set. Either way, the result you want is the same: every exterior lock works with one new key and the old keys no longer do anything.
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The deciding factor is the condition of the hardware, not the age of the house. A locksmith can look at each door and tell you which route suits it. You can also mix the two, rekeying some locks and replacing others.
Rekey or replace: what is the difference?
Rekeying keeps the lock you already have and changes it so a new key operates it. Keys that worked before stop working. It suits good-quality locks that turn smoothly and sit firmly in the door, and it lets every door share a single key.
Replacing means fitting new hardware. It makes sense when a lock is stiff, loose, visibly worn or damaged. It also makes sense when the house has a patchwork of different brands that cannot be matched to one key, or when you simply want a different style or a higher grade of lock.
Why bother at all? When you buy or rent a home, you cannot know how many copies of the old keys exist. A previous owner, a contractor, a former tenant or a letting agent may still hold a working key. Changing the locks means that the only keys that work are the ones you hold.
What you can check yourself
- List every lock that needs a keyWalk the whole property: front and back doors, the garage side door, any gate, a shed and any outbuilding. Each one belongs on the list so nothing is left on an old key.
- Test how each lock feelsTurn each key and each thumbturn gently. A lock that sticks, grinds or feels loose in the door is a candidate for replacement rather than rekeying.
- Look at the hardwareCheck for cracked or worn housings, loose handles, and locks from several different brands. Mixed sets are often easier to replace than to bring onto one key.
- Gather the keys you were givenCollect every key from the previous owner or agent, and note any that fit nothing. This tells the locksmith what you have and what is missing.
- Decide who needs a keyCount the people in your household who need one, so the right number of keys is cut on the day.
When to call a locksmith
Book it as soon as you have the keys, ideally before you settle in. The summer moving season is when this work stacks up, so it is worth booking rather than leaving it. Call One Call Locksmiths on (866) 690-5848 and we arrange the visit with an independent locksmith. We are a referral and scheduling service; the locksmith does the work.
The locksmith gives you the price after looking at the locks, and work starts only once you agree it. The estimate is free on every job. If you are ever locked out of the new home, the locksmith asks for identification and proof that you are entitled to enter before opening anything, such as a driver's licence showing the address, a lease or a utility bill. Locksmith licensing varies by state, so check with your own state or city if you want to know what applies where you live.
What the locksmith will do
- Rekey every exterior lock to one new keyThe locks you already have are set up to work with a single new key, so one key covers the whole house.
- Replace hardware that is worn or mismatchedLocks that are failing or do not suit the rest of the set are swapped for new ones, then keyed to match the others.
- Cover the garage side door, gates and shedsSecondary doors and outbuildings are included, so no lock is left on an old key.
- Make the old keys uselessOnce the work is done, keys held by previous owners, tenants, contractors or agents no longer work.
- Cut keys for everyone in the householdYou leave with the number of working keys you need.
Related questions
- Is rekeying as secure as fitting new locks?
- Rekeying does what matters most after a move: it makes the old keys stop working. The security of the lock itself depends on its quality and condition, which is why a locksmith checks each one first.
- Do all my doors need to be done?
- Every exterior lock that takes a key should be included, along with the garage side door and any gate or shed. Doing only some leaves old keys working on the rest.
- What affects the cost?
- The main factors are how many locks there are, the type of lock, whether any need replacing, and how many keys must be cut. The time of day can also make a difference. The locksmith gives you the price before starting, and the estimate is free.
- Can I do this myself?
- You can ask a locksmith to handle it, which is usually simpler. A locksmith can assess each lock, match them all to one key and cut the copies you need, all in one visit.
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