This is the First Thing You Should Do When You Move Into Your New House
Updated: Sep. 22, 2022The first thing to do when you move is change the door locks
It’s official: You closed on your new house and have keys in hand. While there’s a lot to do—packing, cleaning, moving and unpacking—there’s one more thing to add to your to-do list. Don’t forget to change the locks.
These are the 25 things you need to do when you move into a new house.
You want to feel safe in your new home and neighborhood, so switching out the locks and deadbolts should be a top priority. Even if you know the sellers, there’s a chance one of their spare keys made it into the hands of someone else along the way. Changing the locks will help protect not only your valuables, but you and your family.
“One never knows who may have a copy of the existing key—a friend, maintenance worker, relative of the former owner,” says Gregory Touchstone, a Realtor in San Antonio, Texas. “The small cost of having it re-keyed is worth all the peace of mind.”
Learn how to reinforce doors and locks.
How to Change a Lock
You can change your own locks by removing the lock cylinder and changing the pins. This will save you a visit from the locksmith.
Find out what brands of locks are used in your home and you’ll have to buy a rekey kit for each brand of lock used. These kits can be found at home centers, hardware stores and online.
Each kit will rekey six locks and works on entrance and deadbolt locks. You’ll also need a 4-in-1 screwdriver and a pair of needle-nose pliers. The kit will likely come with any special tools you may need.
Re-Key door locks with this how-to guide.
Keyless Door Locks
An electronic keypad entry system is also an option. Keyless locks are a great alternative for those prone to losing keys and for busy families as many systems allow for specific codes for specific users, which makes it easy to track those coming and going.
Keyless systems are DIY friendly and come in a variety of models with different features.
Here’s how to upgrade front door locks with a keyless system.
