Moving into a new build home feels like a fresh start — everything is clean, modern, and under warranty. It's easy to assume that because the property is brand new, it's also fully secure. In practice, the locks fitted to new build homes as standard are often among the weakest you'll encounter, and upgrading them on move-in is one of the most worthwhile things you can do.
Why New Builds Often Have Poor Quality Locks
Volume house builders operate on tight margins, and the hardware fitted to doors is typically chosen on cost. The locks that come as standard on new build front and back doors frequently meet only the minimum required specification — which is often a basic cylinder that offers little resistance to the attack methods most commonly used in the UK.
This isn't unique to budget developments. Properties from major UK housebuilders across all price points regularly come with cylinders that provide no anti-snap protection — despite lock snapping being the most common method of forced entry on uPVC and composite doors in the UK for well over a decade.
What to Check When You Move In
The Front and Back Door Cylinders
Look at the cylinder in each external door — the oval barrel your key goes into. Check whether it has any visible star rating markings (1★, 2★, or 3★ under the TS007 standard) or a BSI Kitemark stamp on the face. If there are no markings at all, assume it's a basic cylinder with no anti-snap protection.
Also check how much the cylinder protrudes beyond the door handle on the outside. If it sticks out noticeably — more than a few millimetres — it's more vulnerable to being snapped.
The Key Set You Were Given
How many keys were you handed on completion? Two or three is typical. Consider who else may have had keys during construction — site managers often hold master keys that operate multiple properties on a development during the build. These should be changed before or very shortly after you move in, though in practice this rarely happens automatically. Changing the cylinder on move-in solves this concern entirely.
Window Locks
New build windows typically have window locks built into the handle mechanism, but the quality varies. Check that all ground floor windows and any upper floor windows reachable from a flat roof or extension have locks that actually work, and that you have keys for them if they're key-operated.
Garage and Outbuilding Security
If your new build has an integral garage, the door connecting the garage to the house should be treated as an external door — solid core, fitted with a quality lock. Many new builds fit a lightweight door with a basic lock here, which represents a significant vulnerability if someone gains access to the garage.
What's Worth Upgrading and When
You don't need to do everything at once. Here's a sensible priority order:
- Immediately: Change or upgrade the cylinders on all external doors. A TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder on the front and back door is the single most impactful security upgrade you can make. It directly addresses the most common attack method and typically costs well under £200 for the whole property including fitting
- First month: Check window locks on all accessible windows and add key-operated locks where they're missing
- When convenient: Assess the garage connecting door and upgrade if necessary
Check your home insurance policy: Your buildings and contents insurer will specify what types of locks are required as a condition of cover. New build standard locks often don't meet these requirements, which means you could be living in a policy gap without knowing it. Check your documents or call your insurer before the unpacking is done.
A Note on New Build Warranties
Changing the locks on a new build does not affect the NHBC Buildmark warranty or any developer warranty on the property. The warranty covers structural defects and building defects — not door hardware you've chosen to upgrade. You have every right to change the locks from the day you complete.
Lock Upgrades for New Builds in Stourbridge
If you've recently moved into a new build property in Stourbridge, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Hagley, or anywhere in the surrounding area and want the locks assessed or upgraded, call or WhatsApp AMP Lock on 07961 169 681. We carry TS007 3-star cylinders as standard stock and can usually complete all external doors in a single visit. No call-out fee, and pricing confirmed before we start.