Should You Change Locks And Rekey A New House?

For many people, a new home represents love, family, and special memories. In addition to all of these wonderful things, a home should also represent safety. If you are a new homeowner, you need to make your home as safe as it can be. You can do this by learning if you should change locks or rekey your new house. If you don't know anything about this topic, don't worry! We researched the topic for this post. 

You should definitely change the locks or rekey a new house. The reason why is because previous homeowners could still have keys to your house. This means that if you don't change the locks or rekey, random people could let themselves into your home at any time. Therefore, to make sure that your house is safe from intruders, it's best if you change the locks or rekey.

Knowing whether to rekey or change the locks is essential for your family's safety and peace of mind. Keep reading to learn more about this!

A man installing a new lock to the hardwood front door, Should You Change Locks And Rekey A New House?

Is it Better To Rekey Or Change Locks?

Changing a lock involves completely removing an old lock and replacing it with a new lock. Conversely, rekeying a lock consists of changing the lock mechanism so that the old key doesn't fit the same lock; a new key is needed. The answer to which option is better depends on many aspects, including: 

  • Safety
  • Price
  • The Age of the Locks

Let's discuss these aspects in further depth to determine if changing locks or rekeying is better. 

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A white colored front door with a stainless steel door knob

Safety

Changing locks is the safer option because you are completely removing the old lock. This means that you can remove less safe locks and replace them with more updated and secure locks. On the other hand, when you rekey locks, the locks themselves aren't increasing or decreasing in security. This is because you are simply replacing the old pins in the lock with new pins, which helps the lock maintain the same level of security. So, if you're a new homeowner and you want to fully maximize your house's security, changing locks is the way to go. 

Price

While changing locks is the safer option, rekeying is less expensive. This is because the pins in locks are very inexpensive. Due to the low price of these pins, you don't have to pay for them during the rekeying process; you simply have to pay the locksmith who is doing the rekeying. 

Unlike rekeying, changing locks requires you to pay for many parts. So, if you choose to change locks instead of rekeying, you will have additional costs on top of paying for a locksmith. Therefore, if you want to improve the safety of your new house more cheaply, rekeying is the best option for you. 

The Age of the Locks

Over the years, locks suffer wear and tear and become worn out. If you have purchased a home with old, worn-out locks, changing them is better than rekeying them. This is because it's best to just completely remove a damaged lock and replace it with a new one instead of simply replacing the pins inside of it. 

Both Options Are Better in Different Situations

Whether changing locks or rekeying is better depends on the situation. Changing locks is better regarding both safety, and the age of locks, as completely removing the lock allows you to replace less safe and worn-out locks. However, rekeying is better if you want to make your house a bit safer at a less expensive price. 

So, it really depends on what you as a new homeowner want. If you want the best possible security or more modern locks, then changing them is better. If you simply want increased safety at a lower price, then rekeying is better. 

How Much Does It Cost To Change Locks On A New House?

A man installing a new lock to the hardwood front door, Should You Change Locks And Rekey A New House?

If you plan to change locks on a new house, you will have to buy each lock for about $80 to $300. If you install the locks yourself, paying for each of the locks is the only cost you will have to worry about. However, if you want a locksmith to change the locks for you, you will have to pay about $200 for installation.  

So, the total cost of changing locks is $80 to $300 per lock, plus $200 for professional installation. As you can see, changing locks is not cheap! 

Can You Rekey Locks Yourself?

Yes, you can rekey a lock by yourself. If it's your first time rekeying a lock, you may run into a few problems, but you can learn from these issues. However, if you find that the job is too difficult for you, you may need to call a locksmith.

If you are going to rekey a lock by yourself, you will need the original key to your lock and a rekey kit specifically for the type of lock you have. The contents of a rekey kit include a few keys, usually between three and six, a set of pins, and some other tools that will help you remove the lock. With this rekey kit, you should be able to rekey your own lock. 

How Long Does It Take To Rekey A Lock?

Rekeying a lock is a fairly short process. On average, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to rekey one lock. So, if you call a locksmith to rekey your locks or have experience with rekeying, it shouldn't take long. 

What Is The Best Kind Of Front Door Lock?

The best front door locks are strong deadbolts that will resist the efforts of any potential intruders. An example of a strong deadbolt is the Medeco Maxum. This lock is a great front door lock because it can greatly resist the efforts of intruders, such as kick-ins and drilling. The design of the Medeco Maxum also makes it difficult for people to pick, which is another reason it's suitable for your front door. 

Click here to find the Medeco Maxum on Amazon. 

If you want a keyless lock for your front door, one of the best options for you is the Schlage Touch Keyless BE375 CAM lock. Like the Medeco Maxum, this lock rates highly for resisting kick-ins, drilling, and picking. Therefore, the Schlage Touch Keyless is a highly secure lock.

Click here to find the Schlage Touch Keyless BE375 CAM lock on Amazon. 

Locks are extremely important, but there are other things that you can do to make your front door safer. For example, reinforcing your door frame and hinges increases security. In addition, you can replace wood or fiberglass doors with steel doors, as steel is a more durable material.  

In Closing

If you're deciding between changing or rekeying your locks, know that both options are better in different situations. Changing locks is better if you want maximum safety in your new home. Changing the locks is also better if the locks in your house are old and you want more updated ones. However, rekeying is better if you are looking for increased safety at a lower price. 

Be sure to go with the option that best fits your situation and keeps you safe in your new house!

Before you go, check out our other articles: 

9 Types of Sliding Door Locks

Should Bedroom Doors Have Locks?

One comment

  1. Thank you for explaining that it can take around 10-15 minutes to rekey a lock. My brother just moved into a new home, so I’ve been thinking that he may want to take the time to rekey or change the locks around his home. I’ll have to share this with him since I know he was a little worried that it would take too long when I mentioned it to him.

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