Why You Need to Rekey Locks in Your New Home

Getting the keys to your new home is an exciting moment — it means all your hard work during the real estate process has paid off. But before you start scheduling movers, make sure that you rekey locks so that your new space stays secure.

You might be wondering, “What is rekeying a lock, and why is it important?” In a nutshell, the process involves changing the key pins inside the locking mechanism, which renders an old key or set of keys from previous tenants unusable.

Learn why this task is a crucial first step before moving into your home, advice on how to rekey locks, and how Re-key Service for new homebuyers – which comes with First American home warranty plans – can help.

The Importance of Rekeying Locks in a New Home

As with any big, new purchase, when you're buying a home, you want to make sure you've covered all your bases. Adding a home warranty and getting homeowners insurance helps protect your investment and gives you a greater sense of security. When you rekey locks in your newly purchased home, you'll also feel more secure. After all, you can't be sure who might still have extra copies of the keys provided to you during the sale. The previous homeowners might have forgotten about those spare keys they handed out to the neighbor, the dog walker, the house cleaner, or a family member.

The best way to keep that sense of assurance you felt when you first walked into your new home is to rekey the locks right away.

Rekeying vs. Lock Replacement

You might have heard of lock replacement, which is different from lock rekeying. This is the process of removing each external door lock's hardware (including the cylinder, bolt, doorknob, and so on) entirely and replacing the components with brand-new hardware. While this is an option for new homeowners, it is more costly and complicated than rekeying.

Even though changing door locks is not typically necessary for most new homeowners, there are a few scenarios in which you might decide it's the best solution.

You Purchased an Older Home

Most older homes have older features, including the door locks, that are near the ends of their lifespans. If your new home's original hardware is showing signs of wear and tear — or simply not working — it's probably time to repair or replace the locks.

You Have Different Brands of Door Locks

Discovering that you bought a home with differing door locks from multiple brands might not just be an aesthetic eye sore — it can also be frustrating, as you'll need to use different keys to open different doors. If you want to use the same key for all your doors, replacing the locks is the way to go.

Before you start replacing locks, make sure that each door does indeed have a different lock brand. If the doors in your home have the same hardware brand, but each door uses a different key for some reason, then you can save some money by simply learning how to rekey locks so that they all work with the same key.

You Want Keyless Entry

Keyless entry is the digital take on lock-and-key systems, providing people with convenient yet secure access to their homes with just the touch of some buttons. Plus, keyless entry systems often have Wi-Fi capabilities, meaning that you can monitor and remotely lock or unlock your doors even when you’re not home.

Upgrading these electronic locks will require replacing each lock.

DIY Rekeying: A Guide for the Handy Homeowner

Have you determined that rekeying locks is a better choice for you than replacing them? Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and learn how to rekey locks yourself with this how-to guide. The good thing about this DIY project is that the only thing you'll need to buy is a rekeying kit for the brand of door lock that you have.

1. Remove the Doorknob

Refer to your rekeying kit for instructions on removing that brand's doorknob. Here are the typical steps for this project:

• Unlock the door with the key
• Turn the knob counterclockwise
• Insert a tool (from your rekey kit) into the hole in the side of the knob
• Once you hear it “catch,” pop the doorknob off

2. Remove the Cylinder

The doorknob's cylinder is inside the knob. If your knob has a cap on the back, simply remove it and then take out the cylinder. Again, your rekeying kit may have more specific instructions and tools for this step.

3. Take Off the C-Clip

There should be a little C-shaped clip on the back of the cylinder. Remove it.

4. Remove the Key Plug and Original Pins

Inside the cylinder is the key plug. Using the tool provided in your kit, push this plug through and out of the cylinder. Next, dump the pins from the key plug.

5. Insert New Key and Pins

Now it's time to put the new key in the key plug along with the new pins from the kit. Make sure that each pin is inserted into the correct spot. You'll know they aren't inserted correctly if the pins aren't flush with the plug.

6. Reinsert the Key Plug into the Cylinder

Push the key plug (with the key still inserted) back into the cylinder. The tool from the rekey kit will be pushed out.

7. Replace C-Clip, Cylinder, and Doorknob

Put the C-clip back on, remove the key, reinsert the cylinder into the knob, and replace the cap (if needed). Then, reattach the doorknob and test the lock.

When to Call a Professional

While rekeying locks is something you can do yourself, sometimes you'll want to call a locksmith to ensure your locks are correctly rekeyed. The expert skills of a professional not only boost security and your peace of mind but also let you spend your time on other tasks.

Cost Considerations: Budgeting for Home Security

When you rekey locks yourself, you'll probably spend between $10 and $50, depending on the branded rekey kit you need to purchase. This is the cheapest way to change locks on a house.

If you decide to use a locksmith, the costs will vary depending on local labor rates and how long the job takes (based on how many and the type of locks your home has). You might pay from $50 to $200 or more.

Use First American's Re-key Service

First American Home Warranty offers an alternative for new homebuyers, instead of rekeying locks yourself or calling a locksmith. A buyer's home warranty plan includes Re-key Service — one of the many member benefits for First American customers. If that's you, you can set up re-key service as soon as your closing has been completed. With this service, you can have your locks professionally re-keyed for just the service fee.

We make it easy to use this one-time service. You can set up your online account to request the lock rekeying service or call us at 800.992.3400. (Learn how easy it is to request service here.) After you pay the service fee, First American will send a qualified technician to your home to rekey up to six locks. You'll then receive four copies of the new keys — and peace of mind knowing your new home is secure.

Quick tip: Learn about the difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance, and read these new homeownership tips and resources for essential to-dos during the first year of owning your new home.

FAQs About Rekeying Locks

Should you change the locks on a new house?

Yes, changing the locks on a new house is one of the most important first steps after purchasing a home that someone else has lived in. Changing the locks by rekeying or replacing them is up to you. If you're buying a newly constructed house, this step might not be necessary — but it's always good to do for your peace of mind.

Is it better to rekey or change the locks on a new house?

Knowing whether it's better to rekey or change locks on a new house depends on your specific situation. While rekeying locks is easier and more affordable, changing locks might be necessary if you have an old home with locks that don't work well, you want a keyless entry system, or you have locks made by different brands on each door.

When should I change my locks in my new house?

You should change the locks on your new house after closing but before spending your first night.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.