Quick answer: Moving into a new Indianapolis home? Rekey your locks right away, check every entry point, and consider upgrading deadbolts or adding smart locks for full peace of mind.
New Indianapolis homeowners should rekey their locks before unpacking a single box. You have no way of knowing how many copies of your keys exist, who made them, or where they have been. Former owners, contractors, real estate agents, neighbors, and cleaning crews may all have a copy. Rekeying is the fastest and most affordable way to make sure only you control who can get inside.
This checklist walks you through every step a new homeowner in Indianapolis or Central Indiana should take on move-in day. From front door deadbolts to garage side doors, we cover what to check, what to change, and what to ask your locksmith. Chief of Locks is a licensed, bonded, 24/7 mobile locksmith serving Indianapolis and most of the metro, usually arriving in 20 to 30 minutes. Call (317) 671-7873 any time and we can walk you through your options before you even sign for the moving truck.
Why Rekeying After Moving Is Non-Negotiable
Rekeying changes the internal pins of a lock cylinder so that old keys no longer work and a new key does. It is not the same as replacing the lock hardware entirely. Rekeying is faster and costs much less, but it gives you the same security result: only the new keys you hold will open your doors.
In Indianapolis, rekey locks after moving is one of the most common calls we receive. It makes sense. The average resale home has passed through multiple hands, and key copies spread quietly over years of ownership. A good rule is simple: if you did not cut the key yourself, treat it as a security risk.
- Previous owners may have given keys to neighbors, dog walkers, or family
- Real estate lockboxes expose your key to dozens of agents during the listing period
- Contractors who renovated the home may still hold copies
- Property managers of rental-to-own homes often keep master copies
- Inherited homes can have keys floating around for decades
Step 1: Audit Every Entry Point on Move-In Day
Walk the entire property before you move furniture in. Count every door and window that a person could use to enter. Write it down. Many homeowners are surprised to find five, six, or even eight keyed entry points once they include the garage side door, basement access, and back patio.
Check the condition of each lock while you walk. Look for signs of forced entry, scratches around the keyhole, or locks that feel loose in the door. A lock in poor shape should be replaced rather than rekeyed. A lock in good working order is a perfect candidate for our lock rekeying service.
- Front door deadbolt and knob or lever
- Back door and any sliding glass door locks
- Garage side entry door
- Basement exterior door if present
- Detached garage or workshop
- Gate locks on any fenced yard
- Mailbox lock if it uses a keyed cylinder
Step 2: Prioritize Which Locks to Change First
Not every lock carries equal risk. Start with the doors most likely to be targeted or most commonly used. The front door is the obvious first priority, followed by the back door and the garage entry door. These three points cover the vast majority of break-in attempts in residential neighborhoods across Indianapolis.
Once your primary entry points are secured, move to secondary doors and outbuildings. If budget is a concern, at least get your top three done on move-in day and schedule the rest within the first week. Chief of Locks can usually handle a full home in a single visit, so calling (317) 671-7873 to book a same-day appointment is often the most efficient choice.
Step 3: Understand the Cost of Rekeying a House in Indianapolis
Lock rekeying in Indianapolis typically runs about $20 to $30 per lock cylinder, plus a service call fee. A standard three to four bedroom home with six to eight entry locks usually falls in the range of $150 to $250 for the full job, though the exact number depends on lock brand, lock count, and how many cylinders each door has. Doors with both a deadbolt and a knob lock have two cylinders and are counted separately.
If any locks need to be replaced rather than rekeyed, hardware costs add to the total. Basic deadbolts run $30 to $80 at hardware stores, while higher-grade or smart lock hardware can run significantly more. Always call for an exact quote because prices vary by situation. You can reach us at (317) 671-7873 and we will give you a straight answer with no pressure.
- Rekeying: $20 to $30 per cylinder (most affordable option)
- Lock replacement hardware: $30 to $80 for basic deadbolts
- Smart lock hardware: $100 to $300 and up depending on brand
- Service call: low flat fee that covers the technician's arrival
- Full-house rekeying visit: often completed in under two hours
Step 4: Consider Upgrading While the Locksmith Is Already There
When you have a licensed locksmith on-site for lock rekeying, it is a great time to look at a few low-cost upgrades that make a real difference. Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts cost only a little more than basic hardware but offer significantly better kick resistance. Strike plate upgrades with three-inch screws are an inexpensive way to reinforce the weakest point of most residential door frames.
You might also consider keypad or smart lock options for at least one entry door. Smart locks let you create unique codes for dog walkers, family, or service providers without cutting extra keys. You can revoke access instantly from your phone. These upgrades do cost more upfront, but many Indianapolis homeowners find them worth it for the convenience and control.
- Upgrade to a Grade 1 deadbolt for better kick and drill resistance
- Install a reinforced strike plate with long screws into the stud
- Add a door reinforcement kit to the frame itself
- Consider a smart lock on the front door for code-based access
- Ask about high-security cylinders if you want pick and bump resistance
Step 5: Create a Key Control Plan Going Forward
Once your locks are rekeyed and you hold the only keys in existence, protect that advantage with a simple plan. Decide upfront who gets a copy, write it down, and track where copies go. If you give a key to a contractor or house sitter, plan to rekey again when that relationship ends. This habit keeps your home as secure after year three as it was on move-in day.
If you want to avoid the copy-tracking problem entirely, a keypad or smart lock solves it cleanly. You assign each person a unique code, and you delete it when it is no longer needed. No physical key means no unauthorized copies. Our team can help you choose and install the right option for your home and budget.
Book Your Move-In Locksmith Visit With Chief of Locks
Chief of Locks is a licensed and bonded mobile locksmith serving Indianapolis and Central Indiana around the clock. We reach most of the metro area in 20 to 30 minutes, and we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. Move-in day does not always happen on a Tuesday morning, and we are ready whenever you are.
Whether you need a quick rekey of three locks or a full security audit with upgrades on eight entry points, we can handle it in a single visit. Call (317) 671-7873 to schedule or to get a straightforward quote. We will tell you exactly what the job will cost before we start, with no hidden fees or surprise charges after the work is done. Moving into a new Indianapolis home is exciting. Let us make sure it is also safe. Schlage makes a wide range of residential deadbolts and smart locks for home security.