Moving Into a New Home: Which Locks Should You Rekey or Replace?

1. Make a door-by-door checklist

Walk through the property and list the entrances you want included:

• Front, back, and side entry doors.
• The door between an attached garage and the house.
• Keyed garage side doors.
• Gates, sheds, and detached buildings.
• Patio or other exterior doors with separate locking hardware.

For each door, note how many keyed locks it has. A deadbolt and a keyed knob on the same door are two separate locks to review.

Label your notes by location, such as “front door deadbolt” or “garage entry knob.” Include any door for which you did not receive a working key.

2. Separate key-access changes from hardware problems

Ask about rekeying when the existing lock works properly and your goal is to stop the previous keys from operating it. Rekeying changes the key combination in a compatible lock while retaining suitable existing hardware. Learn more about our lock rekeying service.

Ask about repair or replacement when a lock is damaged, unreliable, or unsuitable for the way you need to use the door. Flag loose hardware, a sticking key, or a door that needs lifting or pushing before it locks. These symptoms need inspection; changing the key combination alone does not resolve every door or lock problem.

Our lock installation and repair service covers assessment of those concerns and compatible replacement options.

You can have different solutions on different doors. There is no need to assume the entire house requires the same work.

3. Ask whether one key can operate several doors

If you want fewer keys, identify the doors you would like keyed alike before buying replacement hardware.

Compatibility must be checked. Similar-looking locks do not necessarily accept the same key. Kwikset, for example, specifies compatible key types for its SmartKey products rather than treating every house key as interchangeable. Kwikset rekeying support.

4. Include keypad and smart-lock access

Do not stop at the physical keys if your new home has electronic locks. List the lock’s brand and model, any existing access codes, and whether you control its associated app account.

Mechanical-key access and electronic access need separate attention. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model when reviewing previous users, codes, and account setup. A reset can erase settings and require setup again; it is not a step to take without the appropriate instructions. Schlage’s reset guidance.

Keep programming codes and account credentials private. They should not appear in photos submitted for an initial hardware review.

5. Prepare these details before requesting service

Have this checklist ready:

• The complete service address and your callback number.
• Your move-in or possession date and preferred appointment window.
• A door-by-door list of the locks involved.
• Photos of the inside and outside hardware, plus visible brand markings.
• All available working keys, labeled by door where possible.
• A description of sticking, loose, damaged, or missing hardware.
• Your preference for shared keys or separately keyed doors.
• Identification and documentation showing ownership or authorization, as requested.

If you are renting or the property has a managed key system, confirm authorization before arranging changes.