Changing Locks When You Buy a House: Complete Guide

In short: Yes, changing locks when you buy a house is one of the smartest jobs to do after settlement because you do not know how many spare keys, remotes, or codes are still out there. In Australia, rekeying is usually the cheaper option when the hardware is still in good condition, while full replacement costs more but makes sense when the locks are worn, outdated, or worth upgrading. Australian locksmith pricing guides commonly put rekeying at around $70 to $130 per lock on site and replacement at around $80 to $250+ per lock, depending on the hardware and job conditions.

Changing the locks is critical because you are taking over a property without full control over who may still have access. Previous owners, tenants, family members, cleaners, trades, and property managers may still have working keys, old alarm PINs, or garage remotes. The fastest way to reset that risk is to have the locks assessed straight after settlement, choose rekeying or replacement based on the condition of the hardware, and then tighten the rest of the property with proper alarms, cameras, or access control where needed. For broader move-in protection, Jim’s Security offers home security systems, alarms, CCTV, access control, and smart-home security services across Australia.

Yes, you should change the locks when you buy a house because the settlement does not guarantee that every key has been returned or every access code has been changed. For most homes, the real decision is whether to rekey the existing locks or replace them altogether, and that comes down to the condition of the hardware, your budget, and whether you want a security upgrade at the same time. This guide explains what to do, what it costs in Australia, when to act, and how to tighten the rest of your home security after moving in.

Should You Change Locks When You Buy a House?

Yes. If you have just bought a property, changing locks when you buy a house should sit near the top of your move-in checklist.

This is not about assuming the worst about the previous owner. It is about access control. You do not know how many copies of the keys exist, who still has one, whether the garage remote was duplicated, or whether the alarm code was ever changed after the last tenancy, renovation, or sale campaign.

In real-world locksmith work, that uncertainty is the whole issue. Keys get handed to relatives, dog sitters, cleaners, neighbours, builders, painters, handymen, and property managers. Even when nobody means harm, the property is still no longer under a clean chain of custody.

That matters even more if the home was rented, recently renovated, vacant for a while, or sold after a family change. Those are the situations where access usually becomes messy.

Changing or rekeying the locks gives you a clean reset. It also gives you peace of mind on the first night in the property, which is the point. Once that is done, you can build on it with wider home security, security alarms, or CCTV camera systems if the property needs more than just new keys.

Rekeying vs Replacing Locks: What’s the Difference?

If you are comparing rekey vs replace locks, the simplest way to think about it is this:

• Rekeying changes the inside of the existing lock so the old keys no longer work
• Replacing means fitting new lock hardware altogether

Both can solve the immediate move-in security problem. The right option depends on the condition of the current locks and whether you want to improve security or convenience at the same time.

Rekeying

Rekeying is usually the better-value option when the lock hardware is still in good condition.

It is commonly faster, cheaper, and less disruptive than full replacement. If your front, rear, and side doors all have decent locks already, rekeying can be the smart move because it cuts off the old keys without forcing you to replace hardware that is still doing its job.

Rekeying is often the better choice when:

• The locks still work smoothly
• The hardware is not damaged
• You want old keys cancelled quickly
• You want one key for several compatible doors
• You do not need a style or technology upgrade

Full Lock Replacement

Full replacement makes more sense when the hardware is worn, loose, outdated, damaged, or simply not good enough for the level of security you want.

It is also the better choice if you want to move to deadlocks, upgraded entrance sets, keypad access, or smart locks. If the current lock already feels unreliable, rekeying can be a false economy. You may save money today and then pay again soon to replace it anyway.

Replacement is usually the better choice when:

• The hardware is old or of poor quality
• The lock feels rough, stiff, or loose
• The lock has visible wear or damage
• You want a better front-door security setup
• You want smart or keyless entry

If the hardware is good, rekeying usually wins. If the hardware is the problem, replace it. That is the cleanest practical rule for homeowners. If you also want modern entry options after moving in, Jim’s access control and intercoms, smart security, and home automation can fit into the same planning stage.

How Much Does It Cost to Change Locks in Australia?

For a realistic new house lock change cost in Australia, estimate the job into two parts:

• The lock works itself
• The service call

That matters because many people see low per-lock figures online and assume the whole job will cost that. In practice, on-site locksmith work usually includes labour, travel, time on the door, and sometimes keying several locks alike.

A practical rule of thumb is:

• Rekeying: about $20 to $50 per lock in lower-cost or off-door scenarios, but more commonly around $70 to $130 per lock for standard on-site work
• Replacement: about $80 to $250+ per lock, depending on the hardware, brand, and security level
• Smart lock installation: often higher again, depending on the device and setup
• Emergency or after-hours work: usually costs more than standard daytime jobs

The final price usually depends on:

• How many locks need work
• Whether the locks are standard or specialised
• Whether you want all doors keyed alike
• Whether the job is during business hours or after hours
• Whether you are also adding deadlocks, window locks, or smart-entry hardware

This is why cost transparency matters. A single front-door rekey is one job. A whole-house move-in reset covering the front door, back door, internal garage door, side entry, shed, and windows is a different job entirely.

If you are also upgrading the rest of the property at the same time, it can make sense to bundle wider security work. Jim’s Security offers alarm systems, CCTV, home security packages, and smart security, which is useful if you want to use the move-in window to fix more than one risk.

What Types of Locks Should You Install?

Start with the main external access points first.

For most homes, that means:

• Front door
• Back door
• Internal garage entry door
• Any side door that leads into the home

These doors deserve the strongest hardware because they are the most important barriers between the street and your living space.

Deadlocks

Deadlocks are still one of the most practical upgrades for security on hinged external doors. They are a good fit when your priority is straightforward physical protection.

Smart Locks

Smart locks are a better fit when convenience matters as much as security. They make sense when you want app access, user management, temporary codes, or fewer physical keys floating around.

Keyless Entry

Keyless entry works well for households that regularly need access for family, cleaners, pet sitters, or short-term trade visits. Instead of handing out spare keys, you can control access digitally and update it more easily.

Window Locks

Window security is often overlooked, especially on ground-floor and side windows. If the easiest entry point is not the front door, the quality of your front-door lock becomes much less important.

If you want more than just stronger locks, Jim’s Security’s home security services combine intrusion detection with CCTV, while access control, intercoms, and smart security help homeowners add app-based entry and visibility.

When Should You Change the Locks?

Ideally, immediately after settlement and before your first night in the property.

That timing matters because it closes the access gap before your furniture, valuables, and daily routines move in.

If you cannot do the whole house straight away, prioritise in this order:

1. Front door
2. Back door
3. Internal garage door
4. Side entry doors
5. Accessible windows
6. Sheds, gates, and other outdoor access points

That order gives you the biggest security improvement fastest.

You should also review access control again after major renovations. Builders, subcontractors, and delivery teams often need temporary access, and the longer a project runs, the more likely it is that extra keys, codes, or remotes have circulated. After the work is done, it makes sense to reset everything.

If you are moving into a larger home, townhouse, or property with multiple blind spots, this is also a good time to plan security alarms, CCTV camera coverage, or 24/7 monitored options.

Can You Change Locks Yourself or Should You Hire a Locksmith?

DIY is possible for some simple lock swaps.

If you are replacing a straightforward like-for-like lockset on a standard door and you are comfortable with tools, you can do it.

But move-in security is not just about fitting hardware. It is about deciding whether the existing locks are worth keeping, checking door alignment, making sure strike plates are properly set, and not missing weaker access points elsewhere on the property.

That is where a qualified locksmith is usually worth it. A professional can tell you whether rekeying is enough, whether the front and rear doors can be keyed alike, whether the garage entry is the real weak point, and whether you are spending money in the right place.

DIY usually makes sense when:

• The job is simple
• The hardware is standard
• You are confident in fitting it properly
• You only need one basic replacement

A professional usually makes more sense when:

• You want the house keyed alike
• You are unsure whether to rekey or replace
• The existing hardware is mixed or old
• You want deadlocks or upgraded hardware
• You want the whole property assessed properly in one visit

Jim’s is best positioned here as the broader home security partner rather than a locksmith division. So, for actual cylinder rekeying or physical lock replacement, use a qualified local locksmith. Then, if you want the wider move-in security layer handled properly, use Jim’s Security for alarms, cameras, access control, and smart-home security.

Other Security Steps When Moving Into a New Home

Changing the locks is the first move. It is not the whole security plan.

A proper home security new house setup should also cover:

• Alarm systems
• Cameras
• Lighting
• Garage access
• Side gates
• Visible deterrence
• Control over remotes, codes, and app users

The reason is simple: most homes are not breached through the most obvious point. They are breached through the easiest one.

That is why it helps to treat move-in security as a system, not just a lock job. Jim’s Security offers home security systems, security alarms, CCTV camera systems, and access control and intercoms, all of which are directly relevant when you are resetting a property after purchase.

A simple move-in security checklist:

• Change or rekey main locks
• Reset garage remotes
• Change alarm PINs
• Remove old smart-lock users
• Check camera blind spots
• Add lighting where visibility is poor
• Secure the internal garage door like any other external entry point

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is not changing the locks at all.

The second is changing only the front door and leaving the back door, garage entry, or side access untouched.

The third is rekeying poor-quality or failing hardware. Rekeying is a good value when the lock is worth keeping. It is poor value when the lock is already at the end of its life.

The fourth is ignoring non-key access. Old garage remotes, alarm PINs, video doorbells, keypad codes, and app permissions should all be reset when ownership changes.

The fifth is treating security as something to deal with “later”. The first few days after settlement are exactly when the property is most unsettled, and that is why the basics should be handled early.

If the house also needs stronger physical barriers, the current Jim’s services list includes Jim’s Security and Jim’s Security Doors, which makes sense for homeowners looking beyond a single lock change and into broader entry-point protection.

Changing Locks After Moving FAQs

Need to Change Your Locks? Get It Done Fast

If you have just settled on a property, do not leave access control to chance. Arrange a qualified locksmith to assess the locks straight away, decide whether rekeying or replacement is the smarter move, and secure the main entry points before your first night in the home.

Then, if you want broader protection after moving in, use Jim’s Security for home security systems, security alarms, CCTV camera systems, and smart security and home automation. Jim’s current services list also routes customers through jims.net/services and the group’s main contact path at 131 546.

Book a Jim’s Security quote through jims.net or call 131 546 today.