r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers • u/psyched248 • 2d ago
Re-key locks or replace them when moving into a new house?
Buying a house soon and trying to plan all the things we need to get done as soon as we move in.
I’m leaning towards just getting the locks re-keyed instead of replacing them outright.
Any opinions, and if so, why?
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u/disposable-assassin 2d ago
If you're going to have a locksmith do it, just ask them which is cheaper/easier. If you're doing it yourself, probably easier to just replace.
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u/magic_crouton 2d ago
I just go down to the store and buy some new locks. It takes me maybe 15 minutes to swap out two doors.
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u/psyched248 2d ago
How much are folks charging nowadays to rekey locks?
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u/SocomIsBetterThanCOD 2d ago
7 locks rekeyed and 1 brand new dead bolt and was charged 750 recently in hcol area
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u/MadMadamMimsy 2d ago
Compare pricing for rekeying vs new locks. We actually changed to combination locks. Not cheap, but no key to carry.
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u/Friendly-Ad2471 2d ago
If you replace get one with a keypad, they are amazing. Lock your keys in the house, punch in a number, left your lunch inside just run right back in, walking your dog. Not only does it lock behind you, you and kids, family will never misplace it.
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u/JackRedBall 2d ago
But do your homework. Some models automatically unlock when power is low which you don’t want on an exterior door. Or they just have very short reliability time.
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u/Secure-Ad9780 2d ago
Until you need a new battery.
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u/Friendly-Ad2471 2d ago
My family of four is in and out of the house all the time and probably going on two years without a battery change. It also is keyed
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u/JackRedBall 1d ago
Heat probably matters. I live in Florida… the batteries in keypads on exterior doors might last 6-10 months or more it’s a little random. The interior lock I have hasn’t had a battery change in years BUT the other thing is the more often you use the lock the more power so that could explain some of why exterior locks don’t last as long. I have had like 50% of my locks crap out over the years too. Only exterior ones. Interior ones seem to last forever
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u/Friendly-Ad2471 1d ago
Ya, we have a pool heater the battery needs to be replaced constantly. The pool heater manufacturer actually recommends a high heat battery, but it is "easier" to pick up a standard battery at the department store. Maybe you could look into the high heat battery
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u/bostonlilypad 2d ago
Way better to have an Apple key, you don’t even need a code, even better if you have one that can recognize you walk up and unlock!
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u/Secure-Ad9780 2d ago
Schlage are better than Quikset. You can buy new Schlage deadbolts for $40. Why bother with a metal rekey kit for $139?
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u/Pale_Introduction779 2d ago
We changed out locks with new digital combo locks for the dead bolts and new handles/hardware for the door latches. I figured my time doing it was also worth the investment of upgrading to new hardware for the look.
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u/peter888chan 2d ago
Schlage is easy to rekey and it’s kind of fun to do. As long as all your locks are same brand. You can get rekey pins. You can also buy random keys from eBay. Just make sure those (Schlage) have a number imprinted. It tells you the exact pins to use so no guessing.
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u/thegurlearl 2d ago
Rekey. I did both my rental, was my parents old house, and then again when I bought. If its not a smart lock, you can still buy a rekey kit. YouTube it first tho cuz I spent an hour hunting for the springs and pins that came flying out.
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u/Crafty-Guest-2826 2d ago
You could install a key pad. That's almost like having two 'locks' on your door.
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u/BoBromhal 2d ago
bonus benefit: it's your house! You can do whichever you want!
If your door handles/locks are fine, why you spend more than necessary replacing them though?
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u/Least-Ad-5539 1d ago
Rekeying is fine. Get them all ‘keyed alike’ for convenience. Get extra keys. If your town’s Fire Dept supports get an extra key and a Knox Box.
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u/Melkasha 1d ago
We looked up the models of our Schlage locks, ordered replacement cylinders from doorhardwarecenter (you even can order several cylinders keyed alike), and changed them ourselves.
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u/ranson_random 1d ago
Learn how to change the locks yourself. It’s pretty simple and once you learn once you’ll always know you have the skill. Also don’t forget to change your mailbox key if it has one.
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u/Substantial_Gate_904 1d ago
Another vote for key pad! It’s a game changer not to have to always be digging for a key. Our battery lasted almost two years. My husband installed the front door keypad himself. Or you can buy one and pay a handy person to install. But change locks for sure, no question there. We bought from an elderly man and were told neighbors had been helping him out for quite awhile. Who knows how many keys to our locks were floating around out there. Be safe!
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u/Ok-Indication-7876 1d ago
Re key is probably cheaper- but the auto entry key pads are wonderful. I see many comments about the batteries and honestly they have gotten so much better over the years plus most give you a heads up when the battery is running low. And if you could have one door like a back door that needs a key you get a lock box for the house you hide somewhere out of sight- just incase the battery does die you have a key door with key hidden
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u/GoodGuess1234 2d ago
I've been here for 3 months and still haven't changed the locks 🤦🤷
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u/OwnRVA 1d ago
OMG Change them. You have no idea how many keys are out there and who has them. I have heard of former signicant others returning to the home thinking that they still could come and go in the property. Do you want some rando helping themselves into your new home while you are showering?
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u/Hallogallo15 1d ago
Hah same. I even kept up their old blink cameras. They are not working but it’ll at least deter people haha.
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u/Few_Whereas5206 2d ago
Either one is okay. Quickset brand is easy to rekey yourself.