You just got the keys to a new place. Congratulations. Now, before you unpack the third box, let’s talk about who else has a key to your new house.
The list is longer than you think
Even on a brand-new build, count the people who could have had a copy at some point: previous owners, their family, their roommates, the real-estate agent, the cleaning crew, the staging company, the inspector, the contractors who finished punch-list work, the lockbox’s broker pool, and the “just in case” neighbor. On a typical resale, multiply that by every previous family who lived there.
That’s why your first locksmith decision in a new place isn’t whether to change the locks — it’s how.
Rekey vs. replace: the simple version
Rekey means we take your existing locks apart, replace the internal pins, and cut you new keys. Old keys stop working. Same lock, new key. Fast and inexpensive.
Replace means new hardware end-to-end. New deadbolt, new doorknob, new key.
When to rekey
- Your existing locks are mechanically sound and work smoothly.
- You like how they look and don’t need an upgrade.
- You just want to be sure the old keys are dead.
This covers maybe 70% of new homeowners. A typical home with three to four locks can be fully rekeyed in well under an hour, and all your locks can be put on the same key while we’re at it.
When to replace
- The locks are old, stiff, or visibly worn.
- You want a higher security grade (look for ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts).
- You want a smart lock, keypad, or Wi-Fi lock.
- The hardware doesn’t match the look you want for the door.
- The current locks are an off-brand or builder-grade lock you don’t trust.
The hidden third option: reinforce the door
Here’s a tip a lot of homeowners don’t hear: a $300 smart lock on a door with a half-inch strike plate held in by 1/2-inch screws into trim wood is still a door that can be kicked in. Whether you rekey or replace, ask the locksmith to also upgrade your strike plate and use 3-inch screws into the framing. It takes 10 extra minutes and triples the door’s resistance.
What about all the other entry points?
While we’re there: back door, garage door (the one between the garage and the house, especially), side gate, shed. Get them all on the same key as your front door, or at least confirm they work and have known-good keys.
Just moved in? Call NolaKey at 504-220-1552 for a same-day rekey, anywhere on the Westbank.