Moving Into a New Home: Your First Locksmith Checklist

The day you get the keys to a new home is exciting and chaotic, and security usually slips below the priority list of unpacking and arranging utilities. But there is one short window — typically the first week — where some basic locksmith work is worth doing before life in the new home settles into routine. This article covers what to do, in what order, and why.

Why the previous keys are a problem

Every previously owned home has an unknown number of keys in circulation. The previous owners had keys, of course, but they likely also gave keys to relatives, neighbors, contractors, cleaners, dog walkers, real estate agents, and anyone else who needed access during the time they owned the home. Some of those keys came back; many didn't.

This is not a theoretical concern. Most insurance companies recommend rekeying within the first month of taking possession, and many home security professionals recommend it on day one. The risk is small but real, and the cost of addressing it is modest.

The day-one priorities

The first locksmith priority is rekeying or replacing all exterior locks. This includes the front door, back door, side doors, garage entry, basement entry, and any other lock that connects the outside world to the inside of the home. A locksmith can usually complete this in a single visit lasting one to two hours.

Rekeying is faster and cheaper than replacement, and is appropriate when the existing locks are in good condition and meet your security needs. Replacement is the right answer when the locks are old, damaged, or low-quality. A locksmith can advise on what makes sense for the specific locks on your home.

Don't forget less obvious locks

Several locks often get overlooked in a new home review. Garage door codes, gate keypads, mailbox locks, shed locks, pool gates, and detached structures all have their own access mechanisms — and the previous owners may have shared codes with neighbors or service providers years ago.

Garage door opener codes can usually be reset by the homeowner using the unit's instructions. Combination locks on gates, sheds, and pool enclosures should have their codes changed. Mailbox locks are sometimes the responsibility of the postal service rather than a locksmith, but a locksmith can replace them in many cases.

Window and sliding door security

If the move-in inspection revealed that windows or sliding doors don't lock properly, this is the time to address it. Most window lock issues are minor — worn latches that need adjustment or replacement, sliding door locks that have come out of alignment. A locksmith can handle most of these during the same visit as the rekeying work.

Sliding doors deserve specific attention. The factory locks on most sliding glass doors are flimsy and can be defeated quickly by anyone determined. Adding a secondary lock — a foot bolt, a security bar, or a pin lock — significantly improves security for very modest cost.

Smart lock decisions

If you're considering a smart lock for the new home, the move-in window is the most efficient time to install one. The locksmith is already doing lock work, and the disruption of new installation is minimal when the home is still being set up. Adding a smart lock to a settled home requires planning around schedules and existing routines; doing it during move-in avoids that.

If you're not sure whether a smart lock is right for you, that decision can wait. Rekeying the existing locks is a no-regret first step regardless of what you choose later.

Spare keys and access strategy

Once new keys are in hand, think through who needs them. A trusted neighbor with a spare key prevents future lockouts. A small lockbox on the property with a combination only you and a few family members know is another option that avoids the risk of physical key copies in unknown hands.

Avoid the temptation to hide a spare key under a rock, in a fake plant, or above the door frame. Burglars know all the standard hiding places. A simple lockbox or a key with a trusted neighbor is significantly more secure.

Documenting the new locks

Take photos of the new locks and write down any model numbers or codes. This information becomes useful years later when a key needs duplication, a battery needs replacing, or a part needs ordering. A small folder with locksmith receipts, lock models, and key codes saves time later.

Cost expectations

Total move-in locksmith work for a typical home — rekeying three to five exterior locks, evaluating window and slider locks, and answering questions about additional security — usually runs two to five hundred dollars in most markets. For a new home purchase representing a major investment, this is a small expenditure that establishes immediate control over access.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few mistakes show up regularly during move-in security work:

Trying to handle it later. The longer the move-in window stretches, the more likely the rekeying never happens. Schedule it within the first week or it tends not to happen at all.

Doing only the front door. The front door is just one of several entry points, and burglars don't preferentially use the front door. A partial rekey leaves the rest of the home with whatever access patterns the previous owners established.

Trusting the listing agent's assurance that "the locks have been changed." Sometimes they have been, sometimes they haven't, and there's no easy way to verify after the fact. Doing your own rekey is the only reliable way to establish that the keys you have are the only keys that work.

Buying expensive locks that don't match the door. A high-end deadbolt installed on a hollow-core door provides limited security. Match the lock investment to the door — and consider whether the door itself needs upgrading before installing premium locks.

Setting up the locksmith relationship

The locksmith you call for move-in work is a candidate for becoming your regular locksmith for years to come. If the experience is good — clear pricing, professional work, helpful advice — save the contact and use the same locksmith for future needs. The relationship pays off in better service over time, and you avoid the lottery of starting over with each new locksmith call.