cost to change the locks?

LoveKiss · May 2012

Warning: This may be a stupid question.

We are trying to estimate our immediate moving in expenses, and we know that getting the locks changed is a high priority for us. Does anyone know how much it is to re-key a lock? We have 3 doors that would need to be re-keyed. Or would we have to replace the entire door locking unit for each door?

kaylie622 · May 2012

We got a new front door knob and deadbolt for $55. It was a pretty nice one and H changed it himself fairly easily (you'll need a drill).

brianabrad · May 2012

My mom was able to change the locks in her house on her own. She watched for sales at Lowers and got some really nice hardware for pretty cheap. I think its a totally doable DIY project.

alissa2128 · May 2012

Yup, just buy new knobs/deadbolts. They are fairly easy to install on your own.

lurkergal1 · May 2012

We had a locksmith change ours and it cost $50. The only reason we didn't buy our own and install them is that we loved the hardware that was already there and it would have cost us a LOT more to replace it with similar ones than to just have them re-keyed.

mekiakoo · May 2012

We had ours re-keyed. We had 4 locks to re-key and somebody came over and did it for us. It was maybe $100 for the service and for 4 new keys. It was a lot cheaper than buying new locks for all of our doors and we wanted them done right away (30 minutes after closing) because we were leery of the sellers. We didn't really want to do them on our own, but people can do it. We're just kind of lazy

MarieSD · May 2012

Our home warranty included changing the locks. We did have to pay the $60 standard fee for the HW company to send someone out, though. So it wasn't free after all. But, it was nice to have it done for us on Day 1.

juangela · May 2012

My parents visited a few days after we closed and my dad and DH changed the 3 outside doors. We just bought the hardware at Lowes and got the kind that you can rekey yourself so we could make them all match (you can buy knobs with matching keys, there is a code on the packaging, but the Lowes didn't have a complete set in the style we wanted).

Either way, just do what works for you. It seems the cost is about even. We really wanted new hardware since we slowly getting rid of the previous owner's shiny gold/brass fixtures everywhere.

ETA: Forgot the cost . I think we spent about $50-$60 for all of the knobs. We also switched out the kickplate so it would match, too, and I think that is included in that cost.

LoveKiss · May 2012

Thanks for all of the information. I think that when we go in for our inspections next week, I'll note the door hardware and decide whether I want to keep it and re-key or change it out for nicer hardware. It seems like re-keying may be the less expensive option for now, but maybe a few upgrades could be worth the added expense.

dapotato · May 2012

we just paid a locksmith to come rekey. we're handy enough, but work a lot and would rather not do stuff like this in our spare time. plus the locksmith was faster than we would be. it'll vary regionally, but we paid about $15/lock in a HCOL area.

cost to change the locks?

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