When you move into a new home, the most important thing that comes to mind to ensure the safety of your family property is to change the locks because you never know who has access to the old keys.

The article below discusses how to change locks on your new home and the cost of a professional lock change service.

Why Should You Change Your Locks?

Changing your locks may make you feel more comfortable and protected in your new home, which is vital when relocating.

Even if you are confident in the security of your locks, a few circumstances could call for altering them to increase security and peace of mind. These consist of the following:

You are unaware of how many duplicates of your keys exist.

With all due respect to the former occupants of your property, their associates, or their relatives, we’re sure they were kind, dependable individuals! They could still have copies of your keys in any of them. Or, even worse, they could be gone.

You never know who entered a freshly constructed house during the building phase, even if you are moving in. Contractors and other tradesmen who have previously worked on your house may have duplicates of your keys.

There has been an intrusion.

In Canada, communities with a history of burglaries are 12 times more likely to have one now. Once a burglar gains entry to a residence, they’re likely to target a neighboring home with a similar layout. As a result, even if your neighbor was the victim, there’s a strong probability that you will follow.

A service provider was given access to keys.

Before you moved in, the prior tenants may have made some improvements or hired a cleaning crew. Even if they were considerate, replacing the locks is best after you’ve assumed ownership. When securing your house, you need always be careful, even if those service providers were people they knew.

Locks are outdated and worn out. Therefore they don’t work correctly.

The need to turn your key locks three or four times before your door truly unlocks is not usual. Do yourself a favor and get new locks if yours are beginning to show wear and strain.

There is a separation or family conflict.

Relationships may be challenging and sometimes don’t go as planned. If a relationship breaks off with a partner or family member and they have a key, you need to secure your property by changing the locks.

What You’ll Require

The first step in every do-it-yourself endeavor is collecting the necessary materials. Furthermore, the tools required to learn how to change locks for your new house are minimal, and you probably already have two of them.

Here’s what you should have on hand:

The locks have been replaced

Invest in a brand-new lock for each door that has to be rekeyed. A conventional deadbolt kit often contains all the lock components, including mounting hardware and the inside turning.

If possible, attempt to get a replacement lock that is the same brand, model, and manufacturer as the one you’re replacing. This will assist ensure that it is a good fit.

Tape measure

Before you go to the hardware shop, take measurements. Most modern deadbolts are adjustable, but you should still double-check that you’re in the correct range. A decent summary of how to measure door locks can be found here.

Screwdriver

Examine your current hardware to see whether you need a flathead. Depending on the screws in your new lock kit, you may need both kinds of screwdrivers, or you can just use a 4-in-1.

How to Change Locks on Your New Home?

Now that you’ve gathered the necessary materials, it’s time to get to work.

Step 1: Remove the old deadbolt lock and any associated hardware

This is a simple step. Remove the turn plate and the screws on the internal side of the lock (the side with the turner). You should now be able to look through the hole.

Open your door, so you can view the side of the lock, which is the thin section that runs along the inside of the door, and then find and remove the screws. Remove the remainder of the door’s lock hardware.

Step 2: Install the new deadbolt

Install your new deadbolt hardware where the old one was. Most deadbolts will have up written on one side to assist you in determining where to place it.

To lock the hardware in place, use the mounting hardware included with the deadbolt installation kit.

Step 3: Put in your new lock

The deadbolt will feature slots for both the locking/key and the rotating parts of your new lock. Assemble the parts and fasten them in place with the screws included in your lock assembly kit.

Step 4: Test

Always test your new lock after changing it rather than assuming it works. To do so, ensure that it locks and unlocks with the key and the turner on the inside.

And there you have it! Prioritize your rekeying efforts by beginning with the front door of your house, since if the former owner of the residence shared keys with others, it is likely the door they were given access to.

Then, update the locks on any other exterior-facing doors and your garage code. You can also change the locks on the inside doors, although this does not have to be done immediately.

Call in a Professional

As you can see, learning how to change the locks on a new property is not that difficult. However, there are several situations when you should contact a professional locksmith instead of trying to rekey on your own.

Suppose you have an older home. Finding a replacement for ancient locks might be tricky. Bring in a locksmith skilled with rekeying older locks if you’ve moved into an old home and are dealing with a non-standard deadbolt.

If you need a master key system, You may elect to install a master key system in your house, which is a lock system in which one key opens all the doors. While you can install these sorts of intricate lock systems on your own, a locksmith is already educated in doing so.

Suppose you are unsure about your DIY abilities. Some DIY tasks, such as painting and grouting, are appropriate for a novice. Protecting your family and property is better than being safe than sorry. While replacing your locks would save you money, you must have dependable security.

How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Locks?

A replacement deadbolt kit will cost you between $35 and $50. If you want a professional installation, you should budget an additional $100. The installation fee may be more if you pick a different kind of lock, such as a smart lock allowing keyless access.

If you’ve chosen to engage a professional but are new to your community and don’t know where to begin, read our article on discovering service providers near you for useful pointers. And if you’re ready to take up the job on your own, just follow the instructions outlined above and get to work!

Changing a lock is a pretty simple undertaking and should be one of the first things you do after moving into your new house.

Conclusion

We hope the above article will provide useful information when you wonder about changing the lock for your new home.

If you need a locksmith in Los Angeles, look no further than LA City Locksmith. We provide a wide range of locksmith services, including car keys, commercial services, residential services, lock installation and repair, rekey house lockout and 24/7 locksmith emergency services.

We are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can always rely on us. We’re also completely licensed and insured, so you can relax knowing you’re in capable hands.

Call us at (323) 955-2411 immediately for any locksmith needs!