When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
The most common situations requiring the locks to be changed include: When you have purchased a new house. When you have experienced a break-in or burglary. When you have a vacation rental property.
Most locksmiths advise that a door lock should be changed once every seven years.
If you move into a new home or if your key is lost or stolen, rekeying your lock will almost always suffice. If your lock mechanism is beginning to deteriorate, however, consider changing the lock. You can swap it with a like model and even maintain the same set of keys.
Quite simply, yes changing the lock when you buy a new house or move house is the only way to be completely in control of who has keys to your property. And it's not just previous occupants to consider. Cleaners, babysitters and estate agents could all have a spare key to your new home.
For married couples
Unless you have a court order, you cannot change the locks legally without your spouse's consent. Asking for permission may not be well received, and you need to weigh up whether this could increase animosity and reduce trust which might lead to a prolonged divorce with unnecessary costs.
It's a good idea to change the door locks when you move into a new home – even if the house is new construction. You never know who had access to the home before you and whether they made a spare key.
Rekeying a lock is a common task for a locksmith, and this simple project only takes about 30 minutes to complete. The only tools you'll need to rekey your lock yourself are a rekey kit and the current key to the lock. This saves considerable money, especially when you need to access multiple locks with the same key.
Some may argue that having all your keys alike may make their property less secure as you will use the same key for each lock. Furthermore if you lose a key, it would be recommended to change all the locks on the premises therefore will result in costing more money to replace multiple locks and not just one key.
Rekeying a lock generally takes about 15 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock as well as the skills of the person working on it. The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the lock from the door – the actual rekeying is much simpler. If it's simple, should you rekey your lock yourself?
It's common to believe a door lock will always work. Even hardware store-quality locks can operate for decades, depending on the amount of usage. Most residential locksmiths agree the average lock's lifespan is about seven years.
Yes, a higher price can ensure a higher quality of the lock's material and the mechanism itself. In this way, your lock will have a much higher resistance level than a cheap door lock. In addition, even the appearance of a higher-quality and cost-effective door lock can cause thieves to bypass your door.
So you should expect your lock to last about seven years. Door locks last longer when they are properly maintained. It is also essential to have the lock installed properly. Even the best lock will fail if installed incorrectly or not maintained.
As it turns out, changing locks is an easy DIY project that can take less than a day to complete. Moreover, if safety is a concern, but you're limited on time, you could hire a professional locksmith to replace the locks.
Generally, it takes a professional locksmith between 10 and 40 minutes to rekey a lock. If you need multiple locks rekeyed, you'll want to plan accordingly as a locksmith is likely to require at least an hour for a job that requires more than one or two locks. The type of lock will impact the job.
Installation and Labor
According to HomeAdvisor, a professional locksmith charges an hourly fee between $50 and $100 to change a lock, or $75 per hour on average. Other locksmiths may charge per project based on the number of locks, type of locks, and complexity of the installation process.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts are arguably one of the most popular door lock types, and they are widely used in many residential properties. Due to their popularity, they are also a common fixture in commercial spaces.
Every exterior door should have at least 2 locks to deter thieves from breaking in. The door will have its standard lock built into the doorknob, but one of the most effective ways to secure it completely is by installing a deadbolt lock.
Knob locks are the most common type of door lock available and the chief security method for most doors. The lock cylinder is located in the knob itself instead of the door.
But, while most homeowners already have the tools they need to change locks, rekeying them can require special tools, and those can be expensive. That's why it's easier for most homeowners to hire a locksmith to rekey their locks.
: to provide (something) with a new key. rekeyed the house/room/door. You can take your lock and key to a locksmith and have them rekey it, making it unique.
Yes, it is possible for you to rekey a lock without the original key. A locksmith can change your locks even if you have lost or misplaced the original key. In general, it is possible to pick or shim the lock and unlock the door. Then, the locksmith will have a much easier time removing the lock cylinder.
Some of the reasons may be urgent such as losing your house keys or someone has stolen your house keys. Other reasons may be less urgent but still necessary such as the locks on the door may be worn or you just moved into a new home.
Over time, they will need replacing so that they can function correctly, without any problems and to the latest home security standards. It is recommended that you change your locks at least every 7 years, however, you can change them more frequently for your peace of mind or to simply upgrade.
Keys and locks come in pairs, and of course, if one gets compromised, the entire security system gets compromised. Therefore, if you lose your home keys, it is recommended that you change your door locks as a security measure.