Moving into a new home brings excitement and endless possibilities. The idea of what could be and a place to call your own is enough to send anyone to cloud 9. But between furniture runs and countless bickering about the paint color with your partner, there’s something that you’re not thinking about yet.
Your locks are probably pushed to the very bottom of your to-do list right now, and we’re here to remind you how terrible a mistake that could be.
Here’s what you need to know about moving into a new home. Consider it a housewarming gift from a locksmith in Nashville to you.
1. You Have the Option Between Rekeying Vs. Replacing
Unless you’re moving into a brand new home, you really never know who’s got access to your front door. Past tenants, vengeful exes, friends of friends, the list could practically go on forever.
The good news is that you’ve got options. You can choose between rekeying and replacing your locks. Allow us to explain the difference between the two.
Rekeying changes the lock’s internal mechanism so existing keys no longer work. It removes the lock cylinder, changes the pin configuration, and provides you with new keys. The lock hardware itself stays exactly where it is.
Replacing, on the other hand, removes the entire lock. You get a brand new lock, a new set of keys and different features if you choose to upgrade or go for a fancier lock.
Most homeowners prefer rekeying their locks because it does the job and makes all old copies of the key useless. That too, at a fraction of the cost and time of a replacement!
2. Make Sure to Consider Windows, Garages and Other Access Points
When we talk about security, most people jump to front doors. Yes, that’s an important part of lock security, but that’s not all. You need to consider back doors, side doors, basement doors that open to the outside and pretty much any other door that provides access to the inside of your home.
That said, people usually forget their windows. While rekeying obviously doesn’t apply, moving into a new home is the right time to make sure your window locks function properly.
3. Ideally, Schedule a Locksmith Service Before Moving In
Call a locksmith as soon as you close on the house or sign your lease. This means when you show up with your moving truck, you’re already ready to go. However, we do realize that that’s not always possible. Timing between closing and moving day can be tight, access might be restricted until official move-in, or it simply doesn’t make the pre-move priority list amid everything else happening.
So, if you can’t rekey before you and your family move in, make it a point to do it within the first week.
Also Read: Top Tips for Maintaining Your Locks and Keys
4. Consider Additional Safety Upgrades While You’re At It
Since you’re addressing your lock situation anyway, might aswell check out ways to improve your home’s security further.
Here are some helpful ideas for you to ponder upon:
- Deadbolts on all exterior doors. If any exterior door lacks a deadbolt, add one. Deadbolts provide significantly better security than spring-latch locks alone.
- Strike plate reinforcement. A reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws increases the door’s resistance to kick-ins.
- Smart locks or keyless entry systems. These eliminate the key problem entirely since there are no physical keys to copy.
5. Maintain a Key Control
Now that you’ve rekeyed your locks and improved your home’s security, be selective about who gets a key. Keep track of the keys you do distribute. Maintain a list of who has keys and why. When circumstances change, get keys back or rekey again if needed.
Moving Can Be Fun and Safe!
Moving into a new home is the perfect time to set your boundaries, know who gets access to your home and establish security on your terms. The cost of rekeying your locks is modest, the process is quick, and the value is a peaceful night’s sleep, which is practically invaluable!
So, the next time you’re in need of a locksmith in Nashville, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got Nashville Locksmiths in your corner. We’ve helped countless homeowners and renters secure their new spaces. Whether you need rekeying, full lock replacement, or consultation about the best security approach for your specific situation, we’ve got you covered!
Contact us to schedule your lock service. We’ll help you start this new chapter with one less thing to worry about.
