Congratulations on your new home in Ottawa. You’ve closed on the purchase, picked up your keys, and now you’re standing in your living room. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you have no idea how many copies of your house keys exist. The previous owner had copies. The real estate agent had copies. Contractors, inspectors, and friends of the previous owner may have copies. Before you unpack a single box, you need a lock security checklist. This guide walks you through every step.
Rekey Everything on Day One (Who Else Has Keys?)
This is not optional. You must rekey or replace all exterior locks before spending a night in your new home.
Why? The previous owner had your house keys. So did:
- Real estate agents (plural)
- Home inspectors
- Contractors and repair people
- Friends and family of the previous owner
- Potentially renters if the house was previously rented
- Anyone the previous owner trusted (or didn’t trust but didn’t think to collect keys from)
You have no way of knowing who has copies. Rekeying changes the internal pins so every old key stops working. It’s fast, affordable, and it’s the only responsible first step as a new owner.
What to rekey on day one:
✓ Front door
✓ Back door (patio or side exit)
✓ Garage entry door (if applicable)
✓ Any other exterior doors
Rekeying is significantly cheaper than lock replacement, and if your locks are in good condition, rekeying is the right choice. Our rekeying services can typically complete a full home rekey in under an hour.
Audit Doors, Frames and Strike Plates
Once you’ve rekeyed, inspect every exterior door, frame, and hardware. Many home inspections miss security vulnerabilities.
Check your front door:
✓ Does the door fit snugly in the frame? Gaps allow prying.
✓ Is the strike plate (where the latch hits) properly installed with long screws into the door frame? Short screws don’t prevent forced entry.
✓ Is the deadbolt a real deadbolt or just a push-button lock? Push-buttons are easily defeated.
✓ Does the lock mechanism work smoothly, or does it stick?
✓ Are hinges on the outside? (They should be on the inside.)
✓ Is there a peephole or video doorbell so you can see who’s outside?
Check your back/side doors:
✓ Are they as solid as your front door? Back doors are a common break-in point.
✓ Do they have deadbolts? A patio door should have a lock, not just a latch.
✓ Is the door frame solid or splintered? Splintered frames are vulnerable to kicking.
✓ Are there curtains or blinds so people can’t see inside?
Check all frames:
✓ Cracks in the door frame weaken security
✓ Rotted wood around doors needs replacing
✓ Gaps between door and frame should be minimal
If you notice problems, document them. Some can be fixed with hardware upgrades (new strike plate, better deadbolts). Others require door replacement, which is a longer-term project.
Garage, Mailbox and Patio Door Weak Points
New homeowners often forget these security vulnerabilities.
Garage doors:
✓ Is your garage door opener functioning properly? If broken, replace the opener.
✓ Many garage doors have interior access to your home — secure the interior door as well as the garage door itself.
✓ Is there a broken garage door window? Replace it or cover it.
✓ Does your garage door lock when closed? Most modern doors do, but older ones may not.
Patio/sliding doors:
✓ Sliding doors are notoriously easy to force open. The latch is weak.
✓ Add a secondary lock or brace (a wooden dowel in the track).
✓ Ensure the track is clean so the door closes fully.
✓ Install curtains so people can’t see inside.
Mailbox:
✓ Is your mailbox accessible from the street or tucked close to your house?
✓ Identity theft starts with mail theft. Consider a locking mailbox or a PO box.
✓ Collect mail daily to avoid a pile-up that signals you’re away.
Exterior lights:
✓ Motion-sensor lights deter break-ins
✓ Ensure entry points are well-lit at night
✓ Consider smart lights you can control remotely
Smart Lock or Deadbolt Upgrade Decisions
Once your home is rekeyed, decide if you want to upgrade to smart locks or higher-security deadbolts.
Traditional deadbolts:
Pros: affordable, reliable, no batteries or WiFi needed
Cons: require physical keys, no remote access, no activity logs
Smart locks (Schlage, Yale, Level):
Pros: keyless entry, remote access, activity logs, can grant temporary access to guests/contractors
Cons: require battery replacement, WiFi needed for remote features, more expensive ($300-$500 installed)
High-security deadbolts (ASSA ABLOY, Medeco):
Pros: much harder to pick or force, designed to resist drilling, professional-grade
Cons: more expensive ($250-$400), require professional installation and rekeying
Our recommendation for new homeowners:
If your current locks are in good condition, rekey them and upgrade your strike plates. This is affordable and effective. If you’re ready to invest more, add a smart lock to your front door for convenient access. High-security locks are ideal for people in high-crime areas or who want maximum security.
Learn more about the trade-offs in our guide: The difference between rekeying and replacing your locks.
If you’re ready for a full upgrade, our lock replacement services Ottawa team can assess your security needs and recommend the best solution.
Book a One-Visit Security Check
After you’ve completed the basics (rekeying, frame audit, weak point assessment), schedule a professional security assessment. A locksmith can:
✓ Verify all locks are functioning properly
✓ Identify security vulnerabilities you may have missed
✓ Recommend specific upgrades (smart locks, secondary locks, better deadbolts)
✓ Install those upgrades in one visit
✓ Provide a written report of your home’s security level
A professional assessment takes 30-60 minutes and costs $150-$250. It’s an investment that can save you from break-ins and give you peace of mind.
Your New Homeowner Security Timeline
Day 1: Rekey all exterior locks
Week 1: Audit all doors, frames, and weak points
Week 2: Decide on deadbolt or smart lock upgrades
Week 3: Schedule a professional security assessment
Month 1: Complete any recommended upgrades
By month one, you’ll have a genuinely secure home.
Day one starts with rekeying services to ensure only you have access.
The Cost of New Homeowner Lock Security
Budget realistically:
- Full home rekey (4-5 locks): $400-$750
- New strike plates and hardware: $50-$150
- Smart lock upgrade (1 door): $300-$500
- Professional security assessment: $150-$250
- Additional deadbolt or high-security lock: $250-$400
Total for comprehensive security: $1,150-$2,050
This is significantly less than the cost of a break-in or identity theft.
Final Thoughts: Start Secure
Your new home is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Protecting it starts with understanding who has your keys and securing your locks immediately. Don’t wait. Rekey on day one, audit on day two, upgrade by week three.
You bought your home to feel safe. Smart security decisions make that feeling real.
Ready to secure your new Ottawa home? Call Key Fox Locksmith at (343) 800-5446 for rekeying, security assessment, or lock upgrades. We’re available 24/7 and can typically complete your rekey within 24 hours of closing.
Day one starts with rekeying services to ensure only you have access to the house.
FAQ SECTION:
Frequently Asked Questions for New Homeowners About Lock Security
Q: Do I really need to rekey my locks immediately after buying a home?
A: Yes. You don’t know how many people have copies of your keys. Previous owners, real estate agents, inspectors, and contractors all had access. Rekeying on day one is the only way to ensure only you have keys.
Q: How long does a full home rekey take?
A: Typically 30-60 minutes for 4-5 exterior locks. Some locksmiths can do it even faster. You can move into your home the same day.
Q: Is rekeying cheaper than lock replacement?
A: Yes. Rekeying costs $75-$150 per lock. Lock replacement costs $200-$400 per lock. If your locks are in good condition, rekeying is the right choice.
Q: What if some of my locks are broken or old?
A: Rekey the good locks and replace the broken ones. A locksmith can assess which is which during their visit.
Q: Should I upgrade to smart locks right away?
A: Not necessarily. Start with rekeying and traditional deadbolt upgrades. Smart locks are a nice convenience, but traditional locks are more reliable. Add smart locks later if you want them.
Q: What’s a strike plate and why does it matter?
A: A strike plate is the metal piece on the door frame where the lock latch connects. If it’s installed with short screws, an intruder can kick through the frame. Upgrade to a strike plate with 3-inch screws that go into the solid door frame.
Q: Are patio doors a security risk?
A: Yes. Sliding doors have weak latches and are easy to force open. Add a secondary lock or a brace (wooden dowel in the track) to secure them.
Q: Do I need locks on my garage door?
A: Yes, especially if your garage connects to your home interior. Secure both the garage door opener and the interior door.
Q: What’s a high-security lock?
A: A high-security lock (like ASSA ABLOY or Medeco) is designed to resist picking, drilling, and forced entry. They cost more but offer professional-grade protection.
Q: How much should I budget for new homeowner security?
A: A realistic budget is $1,000-$2,500 for a complete rekey, assessment, and minor upgrades. This is insurance against much higher losses from a break-in.
Q: Can I rekey my locks myself?
A: Not easily. Rekeying requires specialized tools and knowledge. A professional locksmith is faster, cheaper in the long run, and guarantees the work.
Q: What should I do with my old keys after rekeying?
A: Destroy them or give them to your locksmith to destroy. Don’t leave old keys lying around.