You can't know how many keys to your new home are still out there. Previous owners, their relatives, cleaners, contractors and real estate lockboxes may all have had one.
Who might still have a key
Keys get copied and handed out over the years: to a neighbour for watering plants, to a dog walker, to a contractor during a remodel. Sellers rarely know where they all went. Even in a brand-new home, builders' crews and trades often used construction keys.
Rekey vs. replace
Rekeying changes the pins inside the lock so a new key is needed. The lock stays on the door, which keeps the cost down. Replacement swaps the whole lock and makes sense if the hardware is worn, damaged or low grade. If you plan to upgrade to a smart lock soon, replace instead of rekeying twice.
A moving-day checklist
- Rekey all exterior doors, including the door from the garage.
- Reprogram or replace garage door remotes and change keypad codes.
- Change any smart lock codes and remove old user accounts.
- Check sliding doors and windows lock properly.
- Ask for the exterior locks to be keyed alike so one key opens them all.
Cost
Rekeys start at $19 per lock plus the $29 service call fee on the price list, and there's a move-in coupon and a fifth-rekey-free offer. Book on the rekeying page.
Frequently asked questions
Is rekeying as secure as new locks?
Rekeying makes old keys useless. It doesn't change the lock's grade, so if you want stronger hardware, replace instead.
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