The first week in a new home is chaotic: boxes, movers, utilities, a to-do list that never ends. It is also the best time to deal with security, because you do not know who has keys, codes or access. Previous owners, tenants, agents, contractors and movers may have all had them. This checklist walks you through the first week: what to do on day one, what to do in the first few days, what to plan for later and what a sensible budget looks like.
This is general information. Renters should check the lease and ask the landlord before changing locks or installing devices.
1. The Short Version
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Rekey or change locks; change codes; check doors and windows |
| Days 2-3 | Light entries; install a doorbell camera; set up alerts |
| Days 4-5 | Document valuables; meet neighbors; review fire and safety devices |
| Day 6-7 | Plan cameras and a full system; set up routines |
2. Day One: Lock It Down
Assume that others still have keys. Rekey or replace exterior locks. A locksmith can rekey cylinders quickly and cheaply; a smart lock lets you create unique codes. Change garage door codes and reset the opener. Change the code on any existing alarm panel or keypad; ask the provider to remove old users. Check that all exterior doors close and latch properly, and that deadbolts extend fully into the frame. Walk every window and make sure it locks. In a rental, ask the landlord to rekey, and put the request in writing. Our local page on smart locks in Brooklyn describes options.
3. Day One: Check What Came With the House
Existing cameras, doorbells and smart devices may still be linked to the previous owner's account. Factory reset them and set them up under your own account, or remove them. Change the Wi-Fi password and the router's admin password. Check for hidden spare keys under mats or in planters. Ask the seller or landlord for a list of devices, codes and keys. Our guide on buying a home with existing cameras explains how to take over safely.
4. Day Two: Light the Entrances
Good lighting is the cheapest security. Replace bulbs at the front, back and side doors and garage. Add motion-activated lights where they are missing. Trim shrubs that block lighting or hide a person near doors and windows. Aim lights to avoid shining in neighbors' windows or into cameras later. Our guide on lighting for night cameras explains placement.
5. Day Two or Three: Add a Doorbell Camera
A video doorbell shows who comes to the door, records deliveries and gives you alerts while unpacking. It is one of the quickest upgrades and works for homes and apartments. In a rental, choose a model that does not require drilling or get permission. Set person detection to cut false alerts. Our local pages on video doorbell installation in Brooklyn and security camera installation in Jersey City describe typical setups. New homes mean packages: furniture, appliances and boxes. In September 2026, according to Hoodline, police released surveillance images after packages with sports cards worth about $17,400 were taken from a Brooklyn residential building. Few packages are worth that much, but a clear record helps.
6. Day Three: Set Up Alerts and Accounts
Create your own accounts for cameras, locks and the router. Use strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication. Share access with family members individually instead of sharing one login. Test alerts and make sure they reach the right phones. Update device firmware. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency publishes tips on securing home devices at cisa.gov. Our guide on securing cameras against hacking explains more.
7. Day Four: Document and Protect Valuables
Photograph rooms and valuables, record serial numbers and keep receipts. Store the list offsite or in the cloud. Check your insurance: confirm that coverage started at closing or move-in and that the policy limits fit your belongings. Ask about discounts for cameras or alarms. The New York State Department of Financial Services publishes insurance information at dfs.ny.gov. Decide where to keep important papers and small valuables; a bolted safe or a safe deposit box are options.
8. Day Four or Five: Meet the Neighbors
Neighbors are the best security system. Introduce yourself, exchange phone numbers, ask about the block, package problems and any past incidents. Ask who to call about issues and whether there is a block association or group chat. Tell trusted neighbors when you will be away. If you plan cameras, mention it early and invite questions. Our guide on camera etiquette with neighbors helps.
9. Day Five: Safety Devices
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries. Know where the fire extinguisher is. Find shutoffs for water, gas and electricity. Check exits and make sure windows meant for escape open. Plan an exit route with your family. Security should never block escape. Our guide on fire escapes and rear windows explains the balance.
10. Day Six: Plan a Full Camera System
Walk the property at dusk and at night. Note doors, windows, driveways, side paths, rear access and dark corners. Decide what you want to see and what you want to avoid recording. Think about where the router, recorder and power are. Decide between wired and wireless. Get quotes. Our guide on how to plan a camera system explains the steps. A proper plan avoids spending twice.
11. Day Seven: Set Routines
Create simple habits: lock doors at night, close the garage, check cameras weekly, keep ladders and bins away from walls and bring packages in promptly. Teach everyone in the household how to arm, disarm and use the doorbell. Put emergency contacts where everyone can see them. Review all of this after the first month.
12. Renters: What You Can Do
Ask the landlord to rekey. Use removable or no-drill devices with permission. Add a portable door brace or lock for extra security. Document the condition of locks and windows. Report broken lights, doors and locks in writing. Keep renter's insurance. Our guides on renter-friendly cameras and on landlord approval for cameras explain how to proceed.
13. Common Mistakes
- Leaving old keys and codes active.
- Keeping the previous owner's accounts on devices.
- Waiting to light the entries.
- Leaving boxes visible at the curb.
- Not checking insurance.
- Skipping neighbors.
- Buying cameras before planning.
- Sharing one password.
Break down moving boxes and put packaging inside the trash or recycling bin, not at the curb. Empty boxes from televisions and computers tell passersby what you now own.
14. Cost
Planning ranges in 2026: rekeying, $20 to $60 per lock plus service; smart lock, $150 to $500; video doorbell installed, $150 to $550; motion lighting, $100 to $500; four-camera system, $1,600 to $3,800; eight-camera system, $3,000 to $7,000; bolted safe, $200 to $2,000 and up. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
15. A Second Data Point
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). A new home is not a statistic; it is a house with unknown keys. Handling the basics in week one is cheap insurance.
16. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Can you take over or replace existing devices safely?
- What should we do first in a new home?
- Which cameras suit a rental?
- How should we plan for a full system?
- Can we install in phases?
- How will you document the system for insurance?
See our local pages for video doorbell installation in Brooklyn, smart lock installation in Brooklyn, security camera installation in Jersey City and our services page.
Just moved in? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots, and help you phase the work.
17. A Hypothetical First Week
A family closes on a Jersey City townhouse on Friday. Saturday, a locksmith rekeys the doors and the family changes the garage code and Wi-Fi password. Sunday they replace bulbs, add a motion light, and install a doorbell camera. Monday they set up accounts with two-factor authentication. Tuesday they photograph rooms and record serial numbers. Wednesday they meet two neighbors. Thursday they test smoke and CO alarms. Friday they walk the property at dusk with an installer and plan the rest. The system grows in stages, and the basics were done in a week.
18. After the First Month
Once the basics are done, revisit the list. Did the doorbell alerts work as expected? Did any neighbors share concerns? Are there dark spots you missed? Schedule a walk-through with an installer, finalize the camera plan and decide whether to phase the work over a few months. Put a reminder on your calendar to test smoke alarms, locks and cameras twice a year.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rekey a new home? Yes. Others may still have keys.
What about cameras left by the previous owner? Factory reset them, set them up under your account or remove them.
What should I do first? Locks and codes, then lighting, then a doorbell camera.
Do renters need to do this too? Yes. Ask the landlord to rekey and use removable devices with permission.
How soon should I plan a full system? Within the first month, after you learn the property.
Should I tell neighbors about cameras? Yes. It builds goodwill and avoids disputes.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.