Moving into a new home in Fort McMurray is one of the most exciting things you will do — and one of the most overlooked security moments of your life. The locks on your new home are a detail most buyers never think about. Here is why they should, and what to do about it on possession day.
As a certified Journeyman Locksmith serving Fort McMurray homeowners for years, the call I get most from new homeowners comes weeks or months after they moved in — usually after a security scare, a lost key, or the sudden realization that they have no idea who has copies of their key. Do not wait for that moment. Fort McMurray Locksmith is a proud member of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, serving this community for over two generations.
The Key Control Problem
When you move into a home — whether a resale, a new build, or a rental — you receive a set of keys at possession. What you do not receive is a complete accounting of how many copies exist and who has them.
On a typical resale home, keys may have been given to real estate agents, previous owners’ family members, neighbours for emergencies, contractors and tradespeople, cleaning services, and property management companies. On a new build, construction master keys are used throughout the building process — keys that open every unit in a development and may have been in the hands of many different trades.
Taking the previous owner’s or builder’s word that the locks are fine is not sufficient. Key control means knowing exactly who has a working key to your home — and on possession day, you do not know that.
Rekey or Replace on Possession Day
The solution is straightforward — rekey or replace all exterior locks on possession day, before you move anything in. This single step gives you complete key control from the moment the home becomes yours.
Rekeying is the right choice when the existing hardware is in good condition — the deadbolts operate smoothly, the locks are a reasonable security grade, and you simply need to change who has a working key. Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration so old keys no longer work and new keys are cut to match. The hardware stays in the door. It is fast and inexpensive.
Replacing the locks is the right choice when the hardware is worn, low quality, or you want to upgrade security. Many homes — particularly older properties in Fort McMurray — have builder-grade locks that are worth upgrading to Grade 1 deadbolts at the same time as taking possession. The cost difference is modest and the security improvement is real.
Fort McMurray Locksmith can rekey all exterior locks on a standard home in a single visit. See our rekey services page and lock change services page for more detail.
What Locks to Address
When securing a new home, address every exterior entry point:
- Front door — primary entry, often has the best lock but confirm it is Grade 1
- Back door — frequently has lower quality hardware than the front
- Garage entry door — the door from the garage into the house should be treated as an exterior door with a quality deadbolt
- Side doors and secondary entries — any door with exterior access should be included
- Garage door code — reset the garage door opener to a new code — previous owners may have given remotes to neighbours or family members
Keying Alike — One Key for Your Whole Home
If your home currently has different keys for different doors, possession day is the ideal time to fix that. We can rekey all exterior locks to operate on a single key — called keying alike. Front door, back door, garage entry — one key for all of them. Simpler, cleaner, and you only need one spare to make instead of several.
After the Locks — Other Day One Security Steps
With key control established, here are the other security steps worth addressing in the first week:
- Check all window locks and add secondary security pins on ground floor windows
- Inspect door frames and strike plates — replace short screws with 3-inch screws that reach the wall stud
- Add a security bar or pin to sliding patio doors
- Set up exterior motion-activated lighting on entry points
- Consider a monitored security system for additional protection
For a broader look at new home security see our post on 5 steps to take when moving into a new home.
Fort McMurray Locksmith — helping new Fort McMurray homeowners secure their properties from day one.
Call 780-588-5383 or Book a Locksmith in Fort McMurray.