Buying a new home is one of the most exciting milestones we reach in this life. It gives you complete autonomy to shape your space in whatever image you may please. You get to call all the shots! But the flip side of all that freedom means that homeownership requires a new level of responsibility.
There’s a laundry list of tasks you’ll need to complete in the first month or so of living in your new home. One item that should be high on the docket is replacing the locks.
But wait. What if the previous owner gave me all the keys? Or they insist that they already changed the locks? Regardless of what the previous homeowner may say, there’s really no guarantee that there aren’t more copies of your house key floating around out there somewhere.
It should be standard procedure for new homeowners to change the exterior locks of their new home before moving in. Here’s why.
Your home likely has a long history that long predates you or even the previous homeowner’s knowledge. There could be countless copies of your house key out there. Maybe sometime in the past a previous homeowner gave the key to a dogsitter or relative and never collected it. Or maybe it was used as a rental property in the past.
Old homes might also simply have old, worn-out locks. These can sometimes be easier to foil than modern-day locks.
Are you in a brand new home? You should still change your locks out. Typically, homes built on the same block by production home builders will have a single master key that can get into all of them. This common key should only be available to home building professionals but it’s still a good idea to change out your locks anyway.
Before we learn more about what it looks like to change your locks, you should be aware that rekeying and changing out locks are two completely different procedures.
Changing a lock requires replacing the entire lock and all its components. That includes the knob if it’s attached, cylinder, and latch.
Rekeying allows you to keep the lock while changing the components within to fit a new key. This process involves realigning the pins and springs to a new key cut.
Apartments will commonly rekey locks instead of changing out the lock. This is a secure, cheap, easy way to switch out a key when done professionally. Homeowners can also use a kit to rekey a lock themselves too. But if the process isn’t completed correctly, you can inadvertently botch the job and end up needing to replace the lock anyway.
As soon as you’re under contract to buy your new home, you should schedule a locksmith service for the day after you close. It’s a good idea to plan this ahead of time so you’re not left scrambling to book a service on top of all the other tasks that come along with moving into a new home.
Be sure to have this information handy when you make your appointment:
If you’re in the Central Florida area and you’re in need of a lock replacement, D. Cerda Locksmith is on the job. As a fully licensed, bonded, and insured establishment, you can rest easy when you choose us for any and all of your locksmithing needs. Contact us today for more information!
There is no one answer for how much changing out the locks in your new home will run you. Several factors will play into the final price tag.
On average, changing out a single lock will cost roughly $80 and $200.
You may end up paying more or less than this average depending on a number of factors. One of the major contributing factors is whether you’re buying the new lock yourself or if you’re planning on buying it from the locksmith. Either way, the cost of the lock itself will vary based on the type you select and its complexity.
The number of locks you need to replace will also factor into how much you pay. Each copy for these locks will increase the price tag by a slight margin as well.
Lastly, any necessary changes to the door will affect the cost. Sometimes replacing a lock will require modifying the door or its frame if the design or dimensions are different from your last lock.
Have More Questions About Changing Your Locks? Give Us a Call!
