Should you change the locks when you buy a home? Yes—here's rekey vs. replace cost in 2026, how long it takes, and when to call a locksmith.
Key takeaways
- Yes, change the locks—you can't know how many keys exist for a home you didn't build, even from a seller you trust.
- Rekeying costs about $50–$160 total per visit; full lock replacement runs $60–$350 per lock, per 2026 industry cost estimators.
- Rekeying keeps your existing hardware and only changes the internal pins, so it works only if the locks are in good physical condition.
- Do it in the first week, ideally before your first night in the house, not sometime in the first month.
- This page covers only the lock decision—for the rest of the shutoffs and safety-device checklist, see the first-week guide.
Yes, change the locks when you buy a home—you have no way to know how many keys exist for a house you didn’t build, no matter how much you trust the seller. The practical choice is rekeying (changing the internal pins so old keys stop working, typically $50–$160) versus full replacement (new hardware entirely, typically $60–$350 per lock), and most homes only need the cheaper option.
Rekey vs. replace
| Option | What happens | 2026 cost range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rekey | A locksmith changes the internal pins in your existing lock so old keys no longer work | $50–$160 for a locksmith visit (often covers several locks) | Locks in good physical condition; you want a quick, cheap security reset |
| Replace | New lock hardware installed entirely, including exterior appearance and mechanism | $60–$350 per lock, averaging around $150 | Old, mismatched, or damaged locks; upgrading to a smart lock or higher security grade |
| DIY rekey kit | You buy a kit and do it yourself | $15–$25 per lock in parts | Standard deadbolts, some patience, and a YouTube tutorial |
Cost estimates above come from 2026 industry cost-estimator data (Angi: Rekey vs. Replace Locks; Angi: Change Door Locks Cost). These are national averages from a locksmith marketplace, not a government price index—actual quotes vary by region, lock brand, and same-day emergency service fees.
Why rekeying is usually enough
Rekeying only changes the pins inside the lock cylinder, which means it invalidates every existing key without touching the door hardware you already have. It’s the right call when the locks themselves are functional and you’re not trying to upgrade the hardware—just close the security gap left by an unknown number of old keys. A locksmith can often rekey every exterior lock in the house to work off one new key in under an hour.
Replacement makes more sense if the existing hardware is old, doesn’t match across doors, shows signs of wear, or you specifically want to move to a smart lock, a higher ANSI security grade, or matching hardware finishes throughout the house.
Do it before your first night
Handle this in the first 24–48 hours after closing, ideally before you sleep in the house for the first time. It’s a small task that’s easy to defer once boxes take over, but the security gap it closes is exactly the kind of thing you don’t want to discover matters after the fact.
When to call a professional
| Situation | Why call a locksmith instead of DIY |
|---|---|
| Smart lock installation involving new wiring or a hub integration | A locksmith or the manufacturer’s installer can confirm compatibility with your door prep |
| Locked out immediately after closing with no working key | An emergency locksmith call, verified through a local business listing, not a random search result |
| Mismatched or damaged hardware across multiple doors | A locksmith can standardize hardware and confirm fire-code compliance for any required egress locks |
| High-security or commercial-grade locks already installed | Specialty locks often need a locksmith with the specific key blank or software |
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Should I rekey or fully replace the locks when I buy a house?
Rekey if the existing locks are in good physical condition and you just want to invalidate old keys—it’s the cheaper option, typically $50–$160. Replace if the locks are old, damaged, mismatched, or you want to upgrade to a smart lock or a higher security-grade deadbolt, typically $60–$350 per lock.
How much does it cost to rekey or change locks in 2026?
Industry cost estimators from sites like Angi put rekeying at roughly $50–$160 for a locksmith visit covering multiple locks, while full lock replacement averages around $150 per lock with a typical range of $60–$350. Actual pricing varies by region, lock brand, and whether it’s an emergency same-day call.
Can I rekey or change locks myself?
Yes, for most standard deadbolts. Rekey kits are sold at hardware stores for roughly $15–$25 per lock and take about 15–20 minutes with basic instructions. Full replacement is also a DIY-friendly job with a screwdriver if you’re swapping like-for-like hardware; it gets more involved if you’re changing to a different lock brand or a smart lock with wiring.
Do I need to change locks if the previous owner gave me all the keys?
Change them anyway. Even a trustworthy seller can’t account for every copy made over the years—a previous tenant, a contractor, a house sitter, or a neighbor who watered plants may have a key you’ll never know about. The cost of rekeying is small compared to the risk of an unknown key in circulation.
Should I change exterior locks only, or interior ones too?
Exterior locks are the priority—front door, back door, garage entry door, and any other door leading outside. Interior locks (bedrooms, bathrooms) are rarely a security concern for a new owner and can be left alone unless you have a specific reason to change them.