How to Change Locks on a New Home

There’s a lot to get done after you move into a new home. You’ve got to unpack (of course), set up your utilities, change your address with the post office, and yes: change your locks. Changing the locks (also referred to as rekeying the locks) on a new home is always a good idea, since you really can’t be sure who has access to the property otherwise. The phrase for this is key control, which refers to the ability to be able to account for each of the keys to your home and who has them. And it’s as good of a reason as any to learn how to change locks when you move in.

Security should always be a top concern when moving. You’re going to be better off going the extra mile when it comes to the safety of your new home, even if the biggest gain that you get is just more peace of mind. So with that in mind, read on for the steps that you need to know regarding how to change locks on your new home, including the supplies that you’ll need and when to choose the professional route over a DIY.

What You’ll Need

Your first step in any home DIY project is to gather all of the necessary supplies. And when it comes to how to change locks, you’ll only need a couple of things, two of which you probably already have in your toolkit.

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

New locks. Purchase a new lock for each door that you intend to rekey. A standard deadbolt kit usually includes each of the lock pieces that you’ll require, including mounting hardware and the interior turner. If you can, try to buy a new lock that’s the same make, model, and manufacturer as the lock that you’re replacing. This will help ensure it’s the right fit.

Measuring tape. Measure before you go the hardware store. Most new deadbolts are adjustable, but you’ll still want to make sure that you’re in the right range. You can find a good overview on how to measure door locks here.

Screwdriver. Look at your existing hardware to determine whether you’ll need a flathead or a Phillips head. Depending on the screws in the new deadbolt kit you’ve purchase, you may need both types of screwdrivers (or you can just use a 4-in-1).

How to Change Locks: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve got the right supplies, it’s time to get to work.

Step one: Remove the old deadbolt lock and hardware. This part is pretty easy. Locate the screws on the interior side of the lock (the side with the turner) and remove them, along with the turn plate. You should now have a hole that you can see through. Open your door so you can see the side of the lock (the narrow part running along the inside of the door) and locate and remove those screws as well. Remove the rest of the deadbolt hardware from the door.

Step two: Insert your new deadbolt. Take your new deadbolt hardware and install it where the old one was. Most deadbolts will say “up” on one side to help you designate where to position it. Use the provided mounting hardware in your deadbolt assembly kit to secure the hardware in place.

Step three: Insert your new lock. The deadbolt will have slots where you can fit in both the locking/key part and the turning part of your new lock. Assemble the pieces where they need to go, and secure them in place with the screws provided in your deadbolt assembly kit.

Step four: Test. Always test your new lock after changing it instead of just assuming that it works. To do so, make sure that it locks and unlocks with the key, and that it locks and unlocks with the turner on the interior.

And that’s it! Prioritize your rekeying efforts starting with the front door of your home, since if the previous owner of the home did share keys with other people that’s probably the door they were given access to. From there, change the locks on other exterior facing doors, and change your garage code as well. You can choose to change locks on interior doors as well, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.

When to Call in a Professional

As you can see, figuring out how to change locks on a new home is actually not that difficult. But there are some instances where you’ll probably want to call in a professional locksmith instead of attempting to rekey on your own.

• • If your house is old. While it’s not impossible, it can be quite difficult to find a replacement for vintage locks. If you’ve moved into an old house and you’re dealing with a non-standard deadbolt, bring in a pro who has familiarity with rekeying older locks.
  • If you want a master key system. You may decide that you want to add a master key system to your home—i.e. a lock system where one key can open all the doors. While you can do this on your own, a locksmith is already trained in installing these types of complex lock systems.
  • If you’re not confident in your DIY skills. There are some DIY projects that you’re fine to take on as a super beginner, such as painting and grouting. But when it comes to the safety of your home and your family, it’s better to be safe than sorry. While going the DIY route will definitely save you some money when it comes to changing your locks, it’s more important that you have reliable security.

  How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Locks Changed?

  A new deadbolt kit will cost your around $35 to $50. If you want a professional install, expect to spend about $100 on top of that for installation, according to Angie’s List. Your installation cost may be more if you decide to choose a different type of lock, such as a smart lock for keyless entry.

  If you’ve decided to hire a professional but you’re new to your town and not sure where to start, check out our article on finding service providers near you for helpful tips on where to start. And if you’re ready to tackle the project yourself, follow the steps above and get to work! Changing a lock is a relatively quick project and definitely one of the very first things that you should be doing after moving into your home.