Should I Change My Locks After Buying a House?

When you buy a new house, there are often so many things on your mind (packing, unpacking, new neighbors, decorating, renovating) that you forget to address your new home’s security. So today, we’re answering a common question: should I change my locks after buying a house? Although you might feel nostalgic remembering your realtor’s ceremonial presentation of the keys (especially if you’re a first-time homeowner), rekeying your new home is a sensible idea. After all, if your home’s locks haven’t been changed and the previous owners had any copies of the key, they (or anyone they gave a spare key) could easily break into your house.  So, should I change my locks after buying a house? You ask.  Definitely! Security should be your first concern when you move into a new house.  Most people create spare copies of their keys so previous homeowners likely had a few extra sets that they gave to trusted neighbors, family members, friends or even contractors.  I don’t know about you, but the idea of strangers having quick and easy access to my home is unsettling, especially after moving into a new home.  You want to feel safe and secure when you lay down your head at night. If you want to feel confident in your new home’s security, you have a few options. You can change your locks or you can rekey your locks either one of them will be a good idea to do.

Replacing your locks is the more expensive, invasive and complicated method.  You will have to remove the entire lock or locks and replace them with another model.  This option is recommended if you don’t feel the current locks are reliable or you’d like to upgrade to stronger, more efficient locks.

If you’re pleased with your home’s locks, but you are afraid extra copies or the key is floating around, you have a simpler option.  REKEYING.

When you rekey a lock, you change the lock so that the same key can’t operate it.  Altering the pins or tumblers does this.  Changing the pins or wafers configuration, or forcing a new key exchange.  After the lock has been rekeyed the new key will be the only one that can operate that lock and the old key is invalidated.

To have your locks changed or rekeyed, simple call a reliable, trustworthy locksmith.  Over half of new homeowners don’t change or rekey their locks, but it’s hard to understand why.  It’s simple, quick and affordable process.  So, don’t forget and don’t underestimate the importance of rekeying.  If anything should happen in the years that follow this move, it will be hard to forgive yourself.  And while you’re at it.  Remember to change the codes for your garage door opener!

So, should I change my locks after buying a house?  Without a doubt!  If you don’t change your locks or have them rekeyed you might never feel completely secure in your home.  The peace of mind is worth the small fee and minimal effort required.

If you recently bought a new house and you live in or near Naples, Florida.  Contact Collier County Locksmith.  Since 1998 we’ve been providing the South West Florida area with a variety of locksmith services.  We specialize in Residential, Commercial and Automotive Property.