Why You Should Rekey Your Locks After Moving Into a New Home
You’ve just moved into your new San Antonio home. The boxes are stacked, the furniture is placed, and you’re exhausted. But before you settle in, there’s one critical security step you should take: rekey your locks.
You Don’t Know Who Has Keys
Think about how many people might have keys to your new home:
- Previous owners/tenants and their family members
- Friends and neighbors of previous owners
- Housekeepers, dog walkers, or babysitters
- Previous real estate agents
- Contractors who worked on the property
- Property managers (for rentals)
The previous owner may have given out 5–10+ copies of the key. Even if they returned their keys at closing, there’s no way to account for every copy.
It’s Affordable
Rekeying costs $15–$35 per lock (plus a service call fee). For a typical home with 3–5 locks, that’s $100–$200 total. Compare that to the cost of a burglary — the average property loss is over $2,800 according to FBI statistics.
It’s Fast
A professional locksmith can rekey your entire home in 30–60 minutes. It’s one of the fastest security improvements you can make.
Keyed-Alike Convenience
When you rekey, ask the locksmith to key all your locks alike. This means one key opens every door — front, back, side, and garage entry. No more fumbling with a keyring full of different keys.
When to Go Beyond Rekeying
Consider replacing locks (not just rekeying) if:
- The existing locks are old, worn, or low-quality (Grade 3)
- There are no deadbolts on exterior doors
- You want to upgrade to smart locks or high-security hardware
- The previous owner was a victim of a break-in
Free Moving Security Checklist
- Rekey all locks on move-in day
- Check all windows have working locks
- Change the garage door opener code
- Change the alarm system code (or install one)
- Update your address with USPS to prevent mail theft
- Introduce yourself to neighbors
- Install a peephole if there isn’t one
Call S.A. Locksmith & Security at (210) 348-3677 for same-day rekeying service in San Antonio. We rekey all brands and can key your entire home to one key.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally on move-in day — before you unpack. The sooner you rekey, the sooner you eliminate unknown key copies.
Some locks have DIY rekey kits (like Kwikset SmartKey), but professional rekeying ensures all locks work perfectly and can be keyed alike.
No. Rekeying changes only the internal pins. The lock body, finish, and hardware stay the same. Only the keys change.