Move-In Rekeying Service
Response Time: Same-day service available

Move-In Rekeying Service

Professional move-in rekeying in Austin. New home lock rekeying for buyers and renters. Same-day service, $75-$125 per lock. Rekey before you move in for complete security.

Move-In Rekeying: Your First Security Step in Your New Home

Whether you bought a house or rented an apartment, rekeying when you move in ensures that only you have keys from day one. Previous owners, tenants, realtors, contractors, and maintenance workers may have keys - rekeying eliminates this uncertainty.

Previous Owner Access Risk

You have no way of knowing how many copies of your new home's keys exist. Realtors, contractors, inspectors, and previous tenants may still have access. One unrecovered key compromises your entire home security.

Why Rekey When Moving In?

You Don’t Know Who Has Keys

When you move into a new home, you receive the keys the previous owner or landlord gives you. But you have no way to know who else might have copies.

Previous Owners & Family

Family members, friends, or neighbors who were given 'emergency' keys years ago.

High

Realtors & Contractors

Agents who showed the house, inspectors, or contractors who did repairs before closing.

Medium

Previous Tenants

For rentals, former tenants may have kept copies or lost keys that were never recovered.

High

Peace of Mind From Day One

Moving is stressful. You’re unpacking boxes, setting up utilities, meeting neighbors, and trying to remember where you packed everything. Security shouldn’t add to your stress. Rekeying before you move in means you sleep soundly on night one, knowing only you control access to your home.

Move-In Rekeying Timeline

1

1. Your Emergency Call

We ask for your address, lock type, and if anyone is in danger. We provide an upfront price quote and ETA.

2

2. Technician Dispatched

Our closest mobile unit heads your way. Average arrival time is 30 minutes in South Austin.

3

3. Verification of Residence

For your safety, we verify you live there (ID, mail, lease). We never unlock homes without verification.

4

4. Professional Lock Picking

We use professional tools to pick your lock. 90% of lockouts are resolved this way without damage.

5

5. Alternative Entry

If picking isn't possible, we use other non-destructive methods. Drilling is an absolute last resort.

6

6. Prevention & Spares

We get you back inside and can cut spare keys on-site to prevent future lockouts.

Rekeying Options & Strategies

Rekey vs. Replace: Which is Right?
Rekeying ($75-$125) keeps your existing lock hardware but changes the internal pins so old keys don't work. Replace ($150-$250+) installs entirely new hardware. Choose REKEY if your locks work well and you like the style. Choose REPLACE if locks are damaged, ugly, or you want identifying upgrade (like smart locks).
Scheduling: Best Timing
Option 1 (Best): Day after closing, before moving in. Option 2: Morning of move-in day, before movers arrive. Option 3: After move-in (still beneficial). We recommend Option 1 to ensure movers/contractors never have access with old keys.
Apartment & Condo Considerations
Yes, rekey rentals too! High turnover means high risk. Check your lease - most allow rekeying if you provide the landlord a copy. We can coordinate with property management if needed.

Beyond Basic Rekeying

While we’re rekeying your new home, consider these essential security steps to truly own your home’s safety.

Schedule Your Move-In Rekeying

Call (512) 777-0915 to schedule move-in rekeying service.

Provide your move-in date (or estimated closing date) and we’ll coordinate scheduling. We can adjust if your closing delays (common in real estate). Most move-in rekeying takes 45-90 minutes from arrival to completion. You get peace of mind from day one in your new home.

What's Included

Rekey before you move in for day-one security
Schedule in advance or same-day service
Coordinate with realtors and property managers
All locks rekeyed to one key
4 keys per lock included
Work guaranteed for 1 year

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rekey my locks when I move into a new house?

Yes. Previous owners, realtors, contractors, inspectors, and maintenance workers may have copies of keys. You have no way to know how many keys exist or who has them. Who might have keys to your new house: (1) Previous owners and their family members, (2) Real estate agents who showed the house, (3) Contractors who worked on repairs before sale, (4) Home inspectors, (5) Cleaning services, (6) Neighbors who had "emergency" copies, (7) Lost keys that were never recovered. Even if sellers say "we gave you all the keys," they can't know about copies made years ago by previous owners, contractors, or family members. Smart homebuyers rekey before moving in. The $285-$475 cost (typical 3-5 lock house) is cheap insurance compared to the value of your belongings and your family's safety.

When should I schedule move-in rekeying - before closing or after?

Ideally, schedule rekeying for the day after closing, before you start moving belongings into the house. This gives you maximum security from day one. Timeline options: (1) Day after closing (best) - You own the house, we rekey before you move in, (2) Move-in day morning - We rekey early morning before movers arrive, (3) After moving in - Still beneficial but belongings are already inside. We recommend: Close on your house, schedule rekeying for next morning, then start moving in with peace of mind that only you have keys. For rentals: Schedule rekeying for the day you get keys from landlord, before bringing in furniture. Most landlords approve this if you provide them with copies of new keys. Scheduling tip: Call us when you have a closing date. We'll block time for you and adjust if closing date changes (common in real estate). Same-day service usually available if you close on schedule.

How much does move-in rekeying cost in Austin?

Houses: Most Austin homes have 3-5 exterior doors. At $75-$125 per lock, expect $285-$475 total for complete house rekeying. This includes front door, back door, side doors, and garage entry. Apartments/Condos: Typically 1-2 locks. Expect $75-$200 total. Townhouses: Usually 2-3 locks. Expect $190-$300 total. Multi-lock discounts: 3+ locks save 10%, 5+ locks save 15%. These discounts are automatically applied. Price includes: (1) Rekeying all locks to work with one key, (2) Testing each lock for smooth operation, (3) 4 new keys per lock, (4) 1-year workmanship guarantee. Compare to lock replacement: Replacing all locks on a 4-door house costs $600-$1,000. Rekeying provides same security for $285-$400, saving you $315-$600.

Can I rekey my new house myself or should I hire a professional?

You can rekey yourself if you're mechanically skilled, patient, and willing to risk mistakes. Most homeowners find professional rekeying is actually cheaper when you factor in time and error risk. DIY rekeying costs: (1) $40-$80 for a rekeying kit (pins, followers, tools), (2) 30-60 minutes per lock (first-time DIYers, longer if mistakes), (3) Risk of lost springs, wrong pin sizes, locks that stick, or security issues from improper pinning, (4) No guarantee if something goes wrong. Professional rekeying: (1) $75-$125 per lock, (2) 10-15 minutes per lock (experienced locksmith), (3) Proper tools and precision equipment, (4) Testing to ensure smooth operation, (5) 1-year guarantee on workmanship. For a 4-lock house: DIY saves maybe $100-$200 but takes 2-4 hours and carries risk of mistakes. Professional service costs $300-$400, takes 45-60 minutes total, and includes guarantee. When DIY makes sense: You're a locksmith, you've rekeyed locks before, you have proper tools already, or you're only rekeying 1-2 locks and view it as a learning experience. When professional makes sense: You value your time, you want guaranteed results, you're rekeying 3+ locks, or you're doing this on move-in day with limited time.

What if the previous owner already changed the locks?

Ask for documentation. "Changed the locks" might mean: (1) Fully replaced with new locks (rare - expensive), (2) Rekeyed the existing locks (more common), (3) They think they did but actually didn't. Request written proof: (1) Receipt from locksmith showing rekey or replacement service, (2) Date of service (should be recent, within 30 days of your purchase), (3) Which locks were serviced (all exterior doors or just front door?). Without documentation: You can't verify that locks were actually changed. Previous keys may still work. Play it safe and rekey anyway. Even with documentation: If locks were rekeyed more than 30 days before your purchase, contractors or inspectors may have received keys during that window. Fresh rekeying ensures only you have keys. Common scenario: Sellers say "we rekeyed when we moved in 10 years ago." This doesn't help you - keys from the past 10 years may exist. Rekey for your own security.

Should I rekey my apartment when I move in, or is that only for houses?

Yes, rekey your apartment too. Previous tenants, maintenance workers, and former property managers may have keys. Apartment-specific risks: (1) High turnover means more previous tenants, (2) Maintenance workers may have been given keys for repairs, (3) Previous property management companies may have keys on file, (4) "Lost" keys from previous tenants that were never recovered. Lease considerations: Check your lease. Most allow rekeying if you provide keys to landlord. Some require landlord permission. Some leases actually require landlord to rekey (in which case landlord should pay). Cost for apartments: $75-$200 (most have 1-2 locks). Worth it for peace of mind, especially in ground-floor or easily-accessible units. Landlord cooperation: Most landlords approve tenant rekeying requests if you provide them with keys. This actually protects them from liability if previous tenant keys are used for break-ins.

Pricing

Starting at

$75

Average cost

$95

Price range

$75 - $125

Price per lock. Houses: $285-$475 (3-5 locks). Apartments: $75-$200 (1-2 locks). Multi-lock discounts available. Schedule before your move-in date for best availability.

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Why Choose Us?

  • Licensed & Insured
  • Fast Response Times
  • Upfront Pricing
  • Professional Technicians
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed

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