Rekey or Change Your Locks? What to Do After Moving In

When you move into a new place, you should rekey the locks. In most cases, rekeying is all you need — it’s faster, cheaper, and leaves the existing hardware in place. You only need to replace locks if they’re damaged, outdated, or you want to upgrade. Here’s how to decide.

What Rekeying Actually Is

Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of a lock so that old keys no longer work. The lock itself — the hardware, the bolt, the exterior trim — stays exactly the same. A locksmith removes the cylinder, replaces the pins with a new pattern, and hands you new keys that match. Anyone who had a copy of the old key (previous tenants, the seller, a real estate agent, a cleaning crew) can no longer open the door.

This is the core of what people mean when they talk about rekeying locks when moving into a new home. It doesn’t require new hardware. It usually takes 15–30 minutes for a full house.

When Changing the Lock Makes More Sense

There are situations where replacing the lock is the right call:

• The lock is old, worn, or doesn’t latch smoothly
• You want to upgrade to a higher security grade (Grade 1 deadbolt, reinforced strike plate)
• You want to install a smart lock or keypad entry
• The lock was damaged during the move or shows signs of forced entry

If the hardware is in good shape and you just want to control who has a working key, rekeying is the right option. Lock replacement is for when the hardware itself needs to go.

What It Costs in Farmington, NM

Rekeying: $20–$40 per lock, plus a service call fee. For a typical home with 3–4 locks, the total usually runs $120–$200 including the service call. See the full pricing breakdown for more detail.

Lock change: $80–$150 per lock for labor, plus the cost of the hardware you choose. Higher-grade locks cost more upfront but don’t require a service call to install if a locksmith is already there.

These are ranges, not quotes. The locksmith confirms the price before work starts.

How Many Locks Does a Typical House Have?

Most homes in Farmington have 3 to 5 entry points: front door, back door, garage access door, and sometimes a side or patio door. All of them should be rekeyed when you move in — not just the front.

One option worth asking about: keyed alike. A locksmith can rekey all your locks to the same key, so you only carry one. This is a standard service and doesn’t cost significantly more.

Why This Matters After Moving In

You don’t know how many copies of the previous key exist. The seller may have given copies to family members, contractors, a house cleaner, a neighbor who fed the cat. Real estate agents sometimes hold onto keys longer than they should. You’re not just protecting against the previous owner — you’re closing off everyone in their orbit.

This applies equally to apartments near San Juan College, rental homes in Country Club Estates or Northgate Village, and any property that had multiple parties involved in the sale or rental process. Rekeying or changing locks when moving into a new home takes under an hour and eliminates the problem entirely.

Can You Do It Yourself?

Some locks are designed for it. Kwikset’s SmartKey system lets you rekey the lock yourself in about 30 seconds with a small tool that comes with the lock. Schlage has a similar feature on some models. If your existing locks use these systems, DIY rekeying is straightforward.

For standard locks that don’t have a self-rekey feature, you need a plug follower, a pinning kit, and some practice. It’s not difficult, but if you get it wrong the lock won’t function correctly. For most people moving into a new place, calling a residential locksmith in Farmington is faster and more reliable — and the cost difference rarely justifies the risk of a lock that doesn’t seat properly.

Questions about what rekeying costs? See our full pricing guide. Ready to get started? A locksmith can usually come out the same day for a standard rekeying job.