Moving into a new home is exciting — but in the middle of unpacking boxes and changing your address, it's easy to overlook one of the most important steps you can take for your family's security. The moment you get those keys from the previous owner or real estate agent, there are almost certainly other copies of those exact keys floating around that you don't know about. Here's why rekeying or replacing your locks should be at the very top of your move-in to-do list.
Think about all the people who could have had a key to your home before you moved in:
Most of these people are perfectly trustworthy. But even if they are, you have no way of knowing whether their copy was ever lost, whether they made additional copies, or whether anyone they know had access to it. The only way to be certain your new home's locks are truly yours is to change who can open them.
Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of your existing lock cylinder so that all previous keys stop working and only your new key operates the lock. The hardware stays the same — you're just resetting which key it recognizes. This is the most cost-effective move-in security step for most Dover homeowners.
Our lock rekeying service can cover all exterior door locks in a typical home in a single appointment, often in under an hour. We can also rekey everything to a single key — so your front door, back door, and side entry all work from the same key — which is a convenience most homeowners appreciate.
Rekeying is the right choice when:
If the existing locks are old, worn, low-grade, or you want to upgrade to higher-security hardware, move-in day is the perfect time to make the switch. Many older homes in Dover still have basic Grade 3 locks that offer minimal security. Installing ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts on all exterior doors dramatically improves your home's resistance to kick-in and picking attempts.
Our deadbolt installation service and lock replacement service can upgrade your entire home's exterior hardware in a single visit.
Lock replacement is the right choice when:
Most homeowners focus on the front door, but every entry point to your home should be secured:
Even brand-new homes need attention. During construction, builders use temporary "construction locks" — generic, non-keyed cylinders — that are often swapped for permanent locks before closing. But the permanent locks installed by builders are almost always basic Grade 2 or Grade 3 hardware, and multiple construction crew members typically have access to the keys during the build.
Rekeying or upgrading locks in new construction is just as important as in a resale home. Your builder isn't thinking about post-construction key control — that's your responsibility as the new owner.
Ideally, schedule a locksmith appointment for move-in day itself — or within the first day or two in your new home. At 1st Capital Locksmith, we work with homeowners throughout Dover, Smyrna, Milford, Harrington, and all of Kent County, Delaware. We can rekey existing locks, install new deadbolts, key everything to a single master key, or do a full security assessment of your new property.
Call us before or on move-in day to schedule your appointment. We offer flexible availability to fit around your moving schedule.
Call 1st Capital Locksmith to schedule your move-in rekey or lock upgrade. We serve Dover and all of Kent County, Delaware.
