I usually rekey every exterior door the same day a homeowner gets the keys, then suggest upgrading the main deadbolt to Grade 1 or a keypad model for peace of mind and fewer lockouts. For those doing the same, are you finding clients happier with a fast rekey (about 20 minutes per door with a pinning kit) or a complete hardware swap?
I do “rekey now, Grade 1 main”; add 3" strike screws; replace if hardware’s sloppy…
On those about 20-minute rekeys with a pinning kit, I take two extra minutes to square and slightly deepen the deadbolt strike so the bolt throws a true 1" without rubbing — clients feel the difference even before a Grade 1/keypad upgrade. @OP, have you seen fewer callbacks after a quick strike tune-up? If the keyway is a loose big‑box SC1, I’ll pitch a restricted cylinder swap instead of full hardware.
“If the keyway is a loose big‑box SC1, I’ll pitch a restricted cylinder swap instead of full hardware.” Same here, and I always cycle the inside turn 10–15 times after the swap — some budget sets bind on taller stacks and you catch it before you leave; are clients ok with the carded‑key price where you’re?