Moving to a New Home in Billings? Your Locksmith Checklist

Congratulations on the new place. Before you fully settle in, there is one security step people often forget: making sure you are the only one with keys. Here is a simple locksmith checklist for your new Billings home, so you can relax knowing it is truly yours.

1. Rekey or Change the Locks First

This is the big one. You have no idea how many copies of the old keys are out there, with previous owners, real estate agents, contractors, cleaners, or neighbors. Rekeying your locks is the fast, affordable way to make every old key stop working while keeping your existing hardware. Do this before your first night in the house.

2. Check Every Exterior Door

Walk the whole house and note every door that leads outside: front, back, side, garage entry, and basement. It is easy to secure the front door and forget a side or garage door that is just as important.

3. Upgrade Weak or Old Locks

If any locks are worn, flimsy, or missing a deadbolt, now is the time to upgrade. A solid deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate makes a real difference against forced entry. Our deadbolt and lock installation page covers your options.

4. Do Not Forget the Garage and Mailbox

The garage is a common weak point, since it often connects straight into the home. Make sure its entry door locks properly. If your mailbox has a lock, consider rekeying or replacing that too.

5. Consider Keyless Entry

Moving in is the perfect time to go keyless. A smart lock lets you use a code instead of a key, give family or guests their own access, and skip hiding a spare under the mat.

6. Make Spare Keys and Store Them Safely

Once your locks are set, have a couple of spares made and keep them somewhere secure, with a trusted neighbor or family member, not hidden outside where anyone could find them.

7. Locked Out During the Move?

Lockouts happen a lot on moving day, with doors propped open and keys everywhere. If it happens to you, a mobile residential locksmith can get you back in quickly without damaging your new door.