You finally unpack the last box, plop onto the sofa, and sigh, “Home at last!” But pause for a second. Somewhere out there, a dog walker, a former roommate, or even the listing agent may still hold a key that fits your shiny front door. One slight twist of metal could let an uninvited guest stroll straight in. Rekeying the locks may seem like a tedious task, but it’s the most affordable and efficient method to secure every entrance and ensure your peace of mind. Let’s dig into the numbers, myths, and must-know tips that explain why those new keys matter more than fresh paint.
First Night, Old Keys Lurk
Before you toast the move, consider everyone who handled those keys over the years: sellers, friends, cleaners, handypersons, and delivery folks. A UK survey found 32 % of people still keep a key to a former home—sometimes by accident, sometimes “just in case.” If even one spare remains, your brand-new nest isn’t as private as you believe.
Quick Tip: Rekeying changes the pin setup inside the cylinder, making the old key useless while your hardware stays put.
Who Else Has a Copy?
Consider these ordinary but overlooked key holders:
- Real-estate agents and their lock-box backups
- Construction crews who finished that kitchen upgrade
- Dog-sitters and house-cleaning services
- Neighbors who watered plants for the seller
Each extra copy widens the circle of trust—sometimes far beyond people you’ll ever meet.
Burglary Stats You Can’t Ignore
| Entry Point | Share of Break-Ins | Why It Matters |
| Front door | 34 % | Thieves try the obvious first, often with a key or quick kick. |
| Back door | 22 % | Less visibility leads to crooks lingering longer. |
| Windows | 23 % | Specifically, the panes on the ground floor remain unlatched. |
Controlling every front-door key is the easiest first defense if a third of burglars walk through the main entrance.
New Neighbors, New Trust Rules
On moving day, one often finds welcome cookies from next door, and, in addition, there are plenty of strangers strolling past open garages. By rekeying, you not only signal that security matters to you, but also, by extension, to the whole street. It is also important to note that a study conducted by the University of North Carolina revealed that blocks where owners updated their locks within 30 days of moving experienced a 15% reduction in opportunistic thefts over a span of two years.
Inform your neighbors that you have changed the pins; as a result, they may follow suit, thereby creating an informal watch network. First, please consider sharing these initial tips: Ensure porch lights are on at dusk. Additionally, exchange phone numbers for vacation alerts. Please ensure that any unusual activity is reported promptly. Strong locks, in addition to friendly eyes, equal a safer, tighter community—one fresh key at a time.
Rekey vs. Replace—Crunching Costs
| Service | Typical Price Range* | What You Get |
| Rekey one lock | $50–$100 | New pins, new key—same hardware |
| Replace standard lock | $130–$220 | Entire new knob or deadbolt. |
| Upgrade to smart lock | $150–$400+ | The device includes hardware as well as Wi-Fi/Bluetooth features. |
*National averages, 2024–25.
Bottom line: Rekeying usually costs less than a pizza night for a family of four, yet it bars every old key for good.
Five Times Rekeying Beats Replacing
- Budget Stretch: You just paid closing costs—skip pricey hardware.
- Matching Style: Existing locks fit the décor; only pins need changing.
- Speed: A locksmith rekeys four standard locks in under an hour.
- HOA Rules: Some communities also require uniform exterior hardware.
- Eco-Friendly: Keep metal out of landfills by reusing perfect parts.
Quick Stat: Over half of new homeowners admit they don’t change or rekey their locks within the first month, leaving a security gap exactly when they’re still learning the neighborhood.
Hidden Risks of Skipping Rekeying
When strangers hold your spare key, these headaches may follow:
- Insurance issues: Some policies reject burglary claims without proof of forced entry.
- Data theft: Laptops and documents left in moving chaos make easy grabs.
- Unauthorized entry: Former owners might “pop in” for forgotten mail—or worse.
- Cost creep: After a breach, you’ll replace locks and cover stolen items.
Think of rekeying as a small inoculation against big bills later.
DIY or Call a Pro?
Rekey kits exist at hardware stores, yet tiny springs and pins can launch across the room faster than your dog can chase them. Pros bring:
- Key-code gauges that guarantee precise pin heights
- Rekey blanks on the truck—no run to the store
- Warranty covering labor if something jams later
Unless you’re confident with needle-nose pliers and patience, hiring out is quicker.
Beyond the Front Door
It is also important to keep in mind the side gates, detached garages, and sliding-door cylinders. Meanwhile, a thief who can’t get through the main entry will, therefore, test secondary spots next.
Pro Move: Consider asking the locksmith to create a master key. This way, you can also hand a single, limited-access copy to house sitters.
Smart Locks After Rekeying
Rekey first, upgrade second—that order keeps costs low while adding cool tech. Once your cylinders hold fresh pins, you can pop on “smart” covers that read fingerprints or phone taps without swapping the whole latch.
- Keypads end the hide-a-key habit under pots.
- Auto-lock timers Shut the door even if your hands are full of groceries.
- One-time digital codes let delivery drivers drop boxes safely.
Quick Fact: A 2024 Realtor® survey found homes that pair rekeying with smart locks sell 3 weeks faster because buyers love built-in security. Still, if Wi-Fi ever fails, your rekeyed metal key remains as a no-battery backup. That layered plan means convenience never overrides safety.
Peace in 30 Minutes
Most homes also have three to six exterior locks. A seasoned tech rekeys them all during one sitcom rerun. When done, snap a photo of the new key, label spares clearly, and stash one in a friend’s safe—not under the doormat.
Lock in Security
Rekeying, therefore, is the fastest and cheapest way to claim every doorway from day one. For approximately the cost of a dinner out, you effectively shut out unknown key holders, thereby shrinking the odds of burglary, and consequently, you can sleep more deeply in your new space. At A & S Locksmith LLC, we believe fresh paint can certainly wait—but fresh locks, on the other hand, cannot.
