Just Moved Into a New Home in Hamilton? Do This With Your Locks First

Congratulations on the new home. Now — before you start unpacking boxes, before you hang a single picture, and definitely before you give a spare key to anyone — there's one security step every Hamilton homeowner should take on day one. It takes about an hour, costs less than a nice dinner, and instantly eliminates one of the most overlooked security risks in home ownership: unknown key copies.

The Problem: You Don't Know Who Has a Key to Your New Home

Think about the chain of people who may have had a key to your new Hamilton home before you moved in: the previous owners, their family members, their neighbours who got a spare "just in case," any contractors or tradespeople who worked on the house, the real estate agents who ran showings, possibly a previous tenant if the home was a rental.

Any of them may have made copies. Most won't ever use them — but some might. And you have no way of knowing how many copies exist or who has them.

This isn't meant to alarm you. It's just the reality of how key security works. The solution is simple: rekey your locks the day you take possession. (And if you ever do get locked out before the rekey appointment, our emergency lockout service is available 24/7.)

Rekeying vs. Replacing — What's the Difference for New Hamilton Homeowners?

Rekeying (recommended in most cases)

Lock rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of your existing lock so that only the new keys work. All old keys — every copy ever made — stop working instantly. The lock hardware stays exactly the same. You get fresh keys cut on-site.

For most Hamilton homes — especially newer builds in Ancaster, West Mountain, Binbrook, Waterdown, and Stoney Creek — rekeying is all you need on move-in day. The hardware is typically in good condition and there's no reason to replace it.

Replacing (when it makes more sense)

If the existing locks are visibly worn, damaged, or a lower security grade than you'd like, replacement makes sense. Some Hamilton heritage homes in the North End, Kirkendall, or Dundas have older lock hardware that isn't worth rekeying — a $100–$150 deadbolt lock installation is the better move. We'll assess your locks and give you an honest recommendation when we arrive.

How Much Does It Cost to Rekey a New Home in Hamilton?

A typical Hamilton home has 3–4 entry points: front door, back door, side door, and sometimes a garage entry door. A full rekey of these points typically runs $125–$230 all-in, including the service call and new keys cut on-site.

For a $500,000+ home purchase, this is a trivially small investment in peace of mind. Most of our new-homeowner customers tell us they wish they'd done it sooner — ideally the same afternoon they got the keys.

What About the Garage Door? Don't Forget This

Most Hamilton homeowners remember to rekey the door locks but forget about the garage. If your new home has an automatic garage door opener, the previous owners — and anyone they gave a remote to — can still open your garage.

The fix is simple: reprogram your garage door opener to delete all existing remote codes and re-pair only your new remotes. We can do this as part of the same visit, and if the opener or hardware needs attention, our garage door repair team can handle it on the spot. We also recommend checking the garage entry door (the door from your garage into the house) and making sure it has a deadbolt that's part of your rekey — this is your secondary entry point and often the most overlooked.

What Else to Check on Move-In Day

• Deadbolt condition — Does it extend fully and retract smoothly? Stiff or sticky bolts often mean a misaligned strike plate or worn cylinder.
• Strike plate security — Standard builder-grade strike plates use short screws that don't reach the door frame stud. Upgrading to a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws takes 10 minutes and significantly improves kick-in resistance.
• Sliding door security — If your Hamilton home has a sliding glass door, check that it has a secondary lock or pin in addition to the standard latch. Sliding doors are a common entry point for break-ins.
• Window locks — Ground-floor windows should have functioning latches. Sash windows in older Hamilton homes often have worn latches that no longer hold securely.
• Smart lock readiness — If you want to upgrade to a smart lock installation (great for families, rentals, or Airbnb use), the rekey visit is a good time to discuss it. We install same-day.

Buying in Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, or Burlington?

Hamilton's real estate market has been active across all areas — from heritage homes in Dundas and Westdale to newer builds in Ancaster, Binbrook, and Glanbrook. Regardless of which Hamilton neighbourhood you've moved into, the move-in day rekey is the same smart first step.

We serve the full Hamilton area with same-day availability in most cases — and if your new property is a small business or mixed-use building, our commercial locksmith team can handle storefront and office hardware in the same visit. Call us when you pick up the keys and we'll schedule the rekey for the same afternoon.