Guide
Rekey your locks after you move
You don't know how many copies of your new keys exist. Previous owners, tenants, agents, contractors and dog walkers may all have one. Rekeying makes them useless for about $70 to $160 a job (Fixr). In the Omaha-area ZIP codes we cover, 28% of households moved in during 2020 or later.
Who might still have a key
- The previous owner or tenants, and anyone they gave a copy to.
- Real estate agents, inspectors, cleaners and contractors who worked on the house.
- For new construction, the builder's trades.
- The garage keypad code and opener remotes count too. Reset them.
How common it is here
Census estimates for 2020-2024 show 96,168 of the 342,671 households in our 45 ZIP codes moved in during 2020 or later, and 36% rent. Downtown, Midtown and the Field Club area have the highest turnover. By ZIP code.
Renters
Many leases don't allow tenants to change or rekey locks without the landlord's permission and a copy of the new key. Read the lease, then ask the landlord whether the locks were rekeyed after the last tenant. Many landlords do it as standard practice; if not, ask whether they will, or whether you can at your own cost.
Landlords
Rekeying between tenants costs less than replacing locks, and a keyed-alike setup or a keypad deadbolt makes turnover simpler.
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rekey | $70 to $160 per job About $20 to $30 per extra cylinder | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| Rekey | $191 to $225 About $18 per keyhole | Thumbtack, Oct 2026 |
Questions people in Omaha ask
Do I rekey or change the locks after buying a house?
Rekey if the locks are in good shape. Replace any that are worn or low grade, or if you want keypad or smart locks.