Congratulations on your new home!
Moving is exciting. There’s so much to do: unpack boxes, set up utilities, find new restaurants you love. But before you get too comfortable, there’s one critical security task most new homeowners overlook:
You need to rekey your locks.
And you should do it immediately—ideally on your first day in the home.
Here’s why, and what you need to know.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Keys You Don’t Know About
When you receive the keys to your new home, you’re getting keys that have been duplicated, handed to contractors, lent to neighbors, and possessed by people you’ll never meet.
Think about everyone who might have a copy of your old keys:
The previous owner might keep a copy “just in case” they need to access the property. Good intentions, but they still have access to your home.
Real estate agents typically have keys throughout the sale process. Some agents keep copies on file for years.
Home inspectors who came through during your inspection period got access. You trusted them, but you don’t know if they made copies.
Contractors and handymen working on the property during the previous owner’s tenure. That electrician from 5 years ago? Still has a key somewhere.
Former tenants if the home was a rental. Previous tenants typically have keys, and landlords don’t always get them back.
Neighbors might have borrowed keys for emergencies or had keys given to them during yard work or repairs.
Relatives and friends of the previous owner might have copies they never returned.
The reality? Dozens of people could potentially access your new home. You don’t know who they are, what their intentions are, or whether they’ll use that access someday.
Rekeying eliminates that risk completely. It’s the first real security decision you make as a new homeowner.
The New Homeowner Rekeying Checklist
When you move into a new home, rekey these locks:
Front door deadbolt. This is your primary security point. Rekey immediately.
Back door deadbolt. If you have a back door, it should be as secure as your front door.
Side door deadbolt. Some homes have side doors. These should be rekeyed too.
Garage door lock. If your garage has a lock, rekey it. If it’s a garage that connects to your home interior, security here matters.
Shed or storage building locks. Depending on the property, you might have a shed or storage area with locks.
Sliding door locks. Some sliding doors have locks. These should be rekeyed.
Interior locks (bathroom, bedroom, safe room).Most interior locks aren’t security-critical, but if the previous owner (or a contractor) kept keys, you might want to rekey them too. This matters more if you have roommates, rental units, or want complete privacy.
The good news? Rekeying multiple locks at once costs much less per lock than rekeying one lock. Our locksmiths can rekey 5-6 locks in a home in under an hour, and you’ll have new keys to all of them.
Timeline: When Exactly Should You Rekey?
The answer: as soon as possible after you get the keys.
Ideally, you’d rekey before moving in your belongings. But realistically, most homeowners rekey within the first few days after moving.
Here’s the timeline we recommend:
Day 1-2: Call a Denver locksmith and schedule rekeying. Our average response time is under 30 minutes, so you might be able to get rekeying done the same day you move in.
Before you unpack: Have locks rekeyed before you’re living in the home with your belongings and family.
Update your keys: Get multiple copies of your new keys made. Keep one set in your car, one at work, one with a trusted neighbor or family member. You don’t want to be locked out because you lost the only copy.
Update your security system: If your new home has a security system, update the provider with the new keys and lock information.
Costs and What to Expect
Residential rekeying in Denver typically costs:
$20-$50 per lock depending on lock type and complexity $100-$250 total for a typical home’s main exterior locks 10-30 minutes per lock installation time
So a full rekeying of 5 exterior locks might run $150-$200 total and take an hour.
Compare that to the cost of a break-in, theft, or the anxiety of knowing unknown people have keys to your home. It’s one of the best security investments you can make.
Why Rekeying, Not Replacement?
Unless your locks are damaged or you want to upgrade to high-security locks, rekeying makes sense for new homeowners. Here’s why:
Cost: Rekeying costs 75% less than replacing locks.
Speed: Installation is fast. You can secure your home on your first day.
Practicality: If the previous owner’s locks are quality and functional, there’s no reason to replace them.
Simplicity: Rekeying doesn’t require new hardware installation. The process is straightforward.
The only time a new homeowner should consider replacement instead of rekeying is if: