Should Homeowners Rekey or Replace Locks?

Posted on July 7, 2026

If you’ve ever purchased your own home, you know that one of the peak moments of excitement is when the keys are exchanged from one hand to yours. It’s the moment of officialness. The home is now yours to enter whenever you’d like. However, what many people often overlook is the risk behind that set of keys. As your local locksmith in Lawrence, MA, the team at Hayden Safe and Lock has seen it all. We hope homeowners, new and old, find this article helpful.

 

Replace the locks

One of the first investments you should make when purchasing a new home is within your locking system. Your locksmith in Lawrence, MA, and surrounding areas can ensure the keys in your hand have been the only hands. Not knowing how many homeowners have previously lived in your new residence poses a huge risk to your belongings and safety. There could be countless copies of master keys floating around that you will never get back into your own hands. Learn more in our previous article, which answers the question, “Is it time to change your locks?”

 

Rekeying is an option

If changing out the locks seems a bit much, you can rekey the current locks with the professional assistance of a locksmith. Rekeying a lock will not interfere with the security of the existing lock. This process will take apart the current locks and replace the tumblers, or key pins, with new ones. Thus, old keys will no longer function.

 

Which option is best for me?

Whether you choose to rekey the current locks or replace them all, the outcome will be the same. Rekeying is typically the most budget-friendly option between the two. Mostly used when purchasing a new home or when unifying separate locks into a single key, rekeying is an effective and relatively simple procedure.

However, if changing out the locks completely is what puts you at ease, this can be done too! The most common reasons to replace your home locks are an upgrade in security, a change in color or design, or a desire to use the same brand throughout your home.

 

The Best Locksmith in Lawrence, MA | Hayden Safe & Lock

If you’ve recently purchased a home, it may be time to call your locksmith in Lawrence, MA, Hayden Safe and Lock. Our team will perform the services your home requires to ensure the utmost safety. Even if you’ve been in your home for several years and many copies are floating around, rekeying is an excellent option.

Contact our team today and see how easy it can be to secure your home: (978) 744-0988

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