Why a new home still needs a lock review
It is natural to assume that a house nobody has lived in has no key history. The reality is different. During construction, a home is opened by many people: framers, electricians, plumbers, painters, flooring crews, inspectors, cleaners and sales staff. Builders commonly use a construction key or a temporary arrangement so that the crews can get in, and sometimes the final locks are fitted late in the process.
At closing, you receive keys, but you do not necessarily know how many copies exist or who holds them. In a subdivision where many houses were built by the same company with the same hardware package, it is also possible for keys from one home to behave unexpectedly in another, depending on how the builder keyed the set.
None of this means anyone has done anything wrong. It means that the clean way to begin ownership is to establish that you, and only you, control the keys. A short review in the first weeks of ownership is far easier than sorting out a problem later. This guide lays the work out as a series of steps.
Before closing: what to look at at the final walk-through
The final walk-through is your best opportunity to test the doors while the builder is still responsible for fixing issues. Bring a pen and a list. At each exterior door, lock and unlock the deadbolt with each key you will receive, check that the door closes easily and latches, and look at the gap around the door for evenness.
Test every key on every lock that is meant to match. Many builders provide a set that works on the front, back and garage entry doors. If some keys are for other locks, such as a mailbox, make sure you know which is which. Check that interior locks on bedrooms and bathrooms work if the home has them.
Look at the details: scratches on the hardware, loose handles, a strike plate that is not fully seated, a deadbolt that does not extend all the way, or a sliding door latch that does not catch. Note each item for the punch list. The earlier these are recorded, the more straightforward it is to have them corrected.
- Test every key on every lock before you sign
- Check that each deadbolt fully extends and retracts
- Look for loose handles, misaligned strikes and uneven gaps
- Test the sliding door latch and any secondary lock
- Count the keys you receive and ask how many were cut
Understanding builder keying
Builders typically handle keying in one of a few ways. Some key each house individually from the start. Others use a construction key that opens the locks during building and then change over to a final key at closing, a process that may or may not be complete. Some supply locks that all match the same key across many homes, which is convenient for the builder and a bad idea for owners.
Ask your builder or the closing agent directly: how were the locks keyed, was a construction key used, how many keys were cut for the final set, and were the locks changed over after the construction phase? The answers should be clear. If they are vague, that is a good reason to rekey.
Remember that you cannot see inside a lock. Two keys that look different may open the same lock, and a lock that has been through a construction changeover may or may not have been properly reset. Rekeying removes the doubt completely, which is why many owners treat it as a standard post-closing step. Our lock rekeying page describes the process.
The punch list and lock-related items
The punch list is the set of small defects noted before or just after closing that the builder agrees to fix. Locks and doors generate a surprising number of entries, because every door in the house depends on a trio of small things: a level frame, a properly seated strike and well-adjusted hinges.
Common lock items include a deadbolt that binds, a latch that does not line up with its strike, a handle that is loose on its spindle, a door that rubs the floor or frame and a sliding door that is hard to lock. Describe each problem clearly and note which door it concerns.
Some of these may need a builder's tradesperson rather than a locksmith, especially where framing or the builder's repair obligations are involved. Check what your builder's process is before having anyone else touch the hardware, so that you do not accidentally complicate a repair that the builder is obliged to make. Where the builder's process allows, a locksmith can handle a lock repair or a rekey without affecting other matters, and it is sensible to ask the builder first.
Garage entries and the interior door
In a new home, the garage is often the most used entrance, and it deserves the same care as the front door. The overhead door is operated by an opener with a remote and a keypad, and the opener may have been set up by the builder or an installer. The door from the garage into the house is a regular door with a lock that is often overlooked.
Check that the interior entry door has a working deadbolt and that the strike is firmly mounted. Make sure the garage opener has been reset so that previous remotes and keypad entries no longer work, if the manufacturer's instructions allow it. Many homeowners forget that a remote given to a builder's crew still opens the door.
The emergency release on the overhead door can be a weak point if it is reachable from outside. Read the manufacturer's instructions on how to protect it and do not attempt to modify spring-loaded components yourself. Our guide to securing garage doors and entry points has further advice.
Sliding doors, windows and the back of the house
New homes in the Orlando area frequently have a sliding glass door at the back, opening to a patio or a pool area. Builders tend to fit the standard latch that comes with the door, which is convenient but not particularly strong. Check that the latch engages fully and that the door cannot be lifted out of its track.
A bar or pin in the track and a secondary lock are simple additions, though a quote for any job is given by phone. See our sliding glass door guide for options. Windows should also be checked: every latch should lock firmly, and screens should be intact.
If you have a pool, find out whether the local rules require a self-closing, self-latching gate or door alarms. Those rules concern safety for children and are separate from security, though a good lock is part of both. Our pool gate lock service page explains how we can help with the hardware.
After closing: a step-by-step order of work
Once you hold the keys, a sensible order of work reduces the chance that something is missed. The list below is a template. Adjust it to your home and your builder's process.
- Collect every key, remote and fob, and count them against what the builder says was supplied.
- Ask the builder how the locks were keyed and whether any construction keys were used.
- Rekey the exterior locks, or replace them, so that only keys you hold will work.
- Reset the garage opener so that old remotes and keypad entries stop working.
- Check and reinforce strike plates with longer screws where the frame allows.
- Add or confirm a deadbolt on the garage entry door and any side door.
- Secure the sliding door with a track bar or pin and confirm the latch engages.
- Set up smart lock or keypad entries with your own numbers and a written backup plan.
- Make labeled spare keys and decide who holds them and where they are stored.
- Keep a simple record of the work done and the date.
Smart locks and keypads in a new home
Many owners of new homes choose a smart deadbolt or a keypad lock from the start. The new door is usually a standard thickness with a standard bore, so installation is typically simple. The more important questions concern how you will use it: who needs access, how will guests be handled, and what happens if the batteries die or the network goes down?
Choose a lock that has a physical key backup, and keep that key somewhere other than the house itself. Set entry numbers that are not obvious, such as birthdays or address digits, and change them when people no longer need access. Review the settings on a regular basis.
Do not leave default settings in place. A new device often ships with a standard entry number or a pairing process that should be completed and checked. Our smart lock buying guide and guide to digital lock entry numbers are good starting points.
Dust, paint and debris in new hardware
A house that has just been built is also a house that has just been sanded, painted and swept. Fine drywall dust, paint overspray and sawdust travel everywhere, and locks are no exception. A new deadbolt that feels slightly rough, a latch that sticks because paint has dried on its edge, or a keyway that feels gritty are all common in the first months.
Resist forcing anything. Do not spray household oil into a new cylinder, because it can attract more dust and gum up the pins over time. A suitable product made for locks, used sparingly, is the right choice when lubrication is needed. If a lock is stiff from day one, mention it to the builder as a punch list item, since it may be a fitting problem and not just debris.
Paint on strike plates and latch faces is a particularly frequent issue in new homes. A thick coat can stop a latch from seating fully, which leaves a door that closes but does not truly lock. Test each exterior door by closing it firmly and checking that the latch holds without pushing on the door.
Mailboxes, community gates and shared items
New neighborhoods often come with shared features that carry their own keys: a cluster mailbox with a numbered key, a community gate with a card or remote, a clubhouse or pool with a fob. Make sure you receive each one at closing or from the community office, and keep them separate from your house keys so that losing one does not expose the other.
A cluster mailbox lock is usually controlled by the postal service, not by the builder or the association, and a lost mailbox key is a matter to raise with the proper authority. For your own private locks, such as a shed, a storage cabinet or a fence gate, treat them as part of your key plan from the beginning. Our page on mailbox and cluster box locks explains what a locksmith can and cannot do.
Finally, if you live in a community with an association, ask what rules apply to exterior hardware, door colors and smart devices before you make changes. Matching the required look from the start is easier than undoing it later.
Timing: when to do what
Not everything needs to happen on day one, but some items should not wait. The rekey and the garage opener reset are the most time-sensitive, because they cut off access held by people who no longer have a reason to enter. Do these in the first days if you can.
Reinforcing strikes, adding a deadbolt where one is missing and securing the sliding door can follow within the first weeks. Smart lock setup can be done at the same time as the rekey, or later when you have decided how you want to use it. Spare key arrangements and written records are easy to leave and easy to regret, so put them on the list early.
A sensible approach is to book one visit that covers several items at once, which saves repeated trips. When you call, mention everything you have in mind so the quote and the plan cover it, and any item that needs a closer look can be flagged. Call and describe your new home, and we will help you plan the order.
Common mistakes new owners make
A frequent mistake is assuming that the builder's keys are unique to the house. Another is leaving a spare key in an obvious place near the door because the neighborhood feels quiet. A third is forgetting about the garage remote that was handed to a builder or a realtor, and a fourth is waiting until something goes wrong before reviewing the locks.
A different kind of mistake is rushing to replace hardware that is perfectly good. A new deadbolt may be fine and need only a rekey. A technician can look at what you have and tell you honestly. If the locks are sound, the work is small. If they are weak, you will know what to replace.
Whatever the situation, the quote is given by phone, and for more complicated jobs a visit comes first, with a service call charge explained before dispatch. Our phone quote guide shows how it works. When you are ready to secure your new home, call and tell us what you have.
Questions people ask
Should I rekey a brand new house?
It is a sensible step. Many people pass through a home during construction, and builders may use construction keys or matching sets. Rekeying makes all earlier keys useless and gives you a clean start. It is often simpler than replacing hardware. Call and describe your doors for a quote by phone.
How can I tell if my builder used a construction key?
You cannot tell by looking at the lock, so ask the builder or the closing agent directly how the locks were keyed and whether they were changed over after construction. If the answer is vague or unclear, rekeying removes the doubt. A technician can also advise on what to ask.
Who fixes a sticking lock on a new house, the builder or a locksmith?
It depends on your builder's process. Items on the punch list are usually the builder's to fix, and using someone else may complicate that. Ask the builder first. Where the process allows, a locksmith can handle lock repairs or a rekey. Describe the problem on the phone and we will advise.
Do garage door remotes need to be reset after closing?
Often yes. Remotes and keypad entries used by the builder or crews may still work. Check the opener manufacturer's instructions for resetting. Do not attempt to adjust spring-loaded parts of the door yourself. A garage door professional can help with the opener, and a locksmith can secure the interior entry door.
Is a smart lock a good choice for a new home?
It can be, since new doors usually fit standard hardware. Choose a model with a physical key backup, set non-obvious entry numbers, change defaults and plan for dead batteries. Think about who needs access and for how long. Ask on the phone if you want a technician to advise on your door.
How much will it cost to secure my new home?
Quotes are given only by phone, because the right answer depends on your doors and what you want done. You describe the situation, hear the service call charge and the likely cost of the work, then decide. Complicated jobs may need an on-site visit first. Call and we will talk through the list.
Describe the situation by phone and we will tell you what the job involves. Quotes are given by phone. Jobs that cannot be quoted without seeing them need a technician on site, and the service call charge is explained on the phone before anyone is dispatched.
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Written by Claude (AI) (AI) for 24/7 Locksmith Orlando.