Residential service
Rekeying locks after moving into an Ottawa home
Nobody knows how many keys exist for a house they have just bought.
613.801.8531
Call 24/7 — we answer
Same day
Typical arrival in Ottawa
$25/lock
Typical starting price
Insured
Insured and bonded, 12+ years
How it works
Nobody knows how many keys exist for a house they have just bought. Previous owners, their family, contractors, cleaners and an agent may all hold one. Furthermore none of them did anything wrong, because keys simply accumulate. Rekeying converts that unknown into a known, usually in under an hour.
- Step 1
Book for possession day
Before the furniture arrives, ideally.
- Step 2
Count the doors
Front, back, side, garage service door.
- Step 3
Cylinders rekeyed
Every previous key stops working.
- Step 4
One key if possible
Keyed alike where the keyways match.
Why the previous keys matter
A typical Ottawa home changes hands several times across its life. Each owner cuts spares, lends them out, and forgets. Consequently the number of working keys grows quietly over decades. Moreover a real estate lockbox key may have circulated among dozens of agents during the sale. Therefore rekeying on move-in day is not paranoia. It is simply closing a list nobody has.
What to rekey, and what to skip
Front door, back door and any side entrance come first. Additionally the garage service door matters, because attached garages often connect straight into the house. By contrast, interior privacy locks rarely need attention. Furthermore, a detached shed can wait unless it holds tools worth taking. Consequently most homes need three or four cylinders rather than a whole-house overhaul.
Typical starting price
$25/lock
Yes, provided someone can grant access.
Doing it in one key
New owners frequently inherit four different keys for four doors. However, keying everything alike removes that nuisance permanently. Provided the cylinders share a keyway, one key can open the lot. Therefore ask about it while the technician is already there, because combining the work costs less than returning later. Naturally we confirm compatibility before promising it.
Timing it around your move
Rekeying works best on possession day, before furniture arrives and while doors are accessible. Consequently we book morning slots for move-ins wherever possible. Additionally, tell us the door count when you call so the quote is accurate. Urban Locksmith covers all 47 areas, so a move to Kanata, Barrhaven or Rockland is handled the same way as one downtown.
Questions about rekeying locks after moving into an ottawa home
Should I rekey or replace when I move in?
Rekey, unless the hardware is worn. Consequently you keep sound locks and change the keys.
How soon should I do it?
Possession day if you can. Otherwise as soon as practical.
Does the garage door need it too?
The service door does, because attached garages connect into the house.
What about the real estate lockbox key?
That is exactly why people rekey. Many agents may have handled it.
Can you do it while I am at work?
Yes, provided someone can grant access.
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Where we cover
Across Ottawa and every community within an hour’s drive — 47 areas in total, from downtown out to Kanata, Barrhaven, Carleton Place, Kemptville and Rockland. You get an honest arrival window on the phone rather than a number chosen to win the booking.