What to change on day one
- Rekey the front, back, side and garage entry doors.
- Change the garage door opener code and re-pair the remotes.
- Reset any keypad or smart lock codes to factory, then set your own.
- Change gate and shed padlocks.
- Ask the HOA or condo office about pool and amenity keys or fobs.
One key for the whole house
While the locks are being rekeyed, they can all be set to the same key, as long as they share a keyway. If one lock is a different brand, that cylinder can usually be swapped so everything matches.
Rekey or replace?
If the locks work smoothly, a rekey is all you need. If a lock is loose, sticky or corroded, it is the right time to replace it.