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Never bothered either.
New house - changing the locks
- Thread starter jb7
- Start date
You lot are mad. We're completing in a few weeks and have a locksmith booked in for the morning after. Would have gone for the same day but unsure when we'll get the keys etc. The funny thing is on our long list of renovations we'll obviously be replacing the door, but for peace of mind it's so worth getting the locks changed for the interim. It's only costing £170 I think.
For our house it's worth it especially because it was a rental... Who knows if tenants made copies and have them away to their friends like candy for example. EDIT: Not picking on tenants as I am one! Who knows if the landlords gave copies to their neighbours?
One of our friends was saying you should have a few tradies that you TRUST on speed dial in case of emergencies. One being a plumber, another being a locksmith. There's lots of unscrupulous ones that will come round and fix a lock for £50, but then tell you they have to come back to fix it properly tomorrow for an extra £300 or something. I can't remember exactly but you get my point.
For our house it's worth it especially because it was a rental... Who knows if tenants made copies and have them away to their friends like candy for example. EDIT: Not picking on tenants as I am one! Who knows if the landlords gave copies to their neighbours?
One of our friends was saying you should have a few tradies that you TRUST on speed dial in case of emergencies. One being a plumber, another being a locksmith. There's lots of unscrupulous ones that will come round and fix a lock for £50, but then tell you they have to come back to fix it properly tomorrow for an extra £300 or something. I can't remember exactly but you get my point.
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I always change the locks and/or cylinders when moving partly for the concern of copies, but also for higher security locks/cylinders and to get as many doors on the same key as possible.
When I bought my current home I was handed seven different keys for the external doors, three single doors and two sets of French doors!
I had already measured all the cylinders some time earlier and ordered once we exchanged contracts I ordered them so I was ready to change them all on completion day. Now one key does all and cannot be copied at the local locksmith. If we every lose a key it'll be an expensive replacement but I'll take that risk.
When I bought my current home I was handed seven different keys for the external doors, three single doors and two sets of French doors!
I had already measured all the cylinders some time earlier and ordered once we exchanged contracts I ordered them so I was ready to change them all on completion day. Now one key does all and cannot be copied at the local locksmith. If we every lose a key it'll be an expensive replacement but I'll take that risk.
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If you robbed your old house you would be the prime suspect? 
Well it's never crossed my mind before when moving and have never had any issues. Landlords always give all sets of keys and previous Tennants had been families so doubt there would be anything dodgy. Also don't know of anyone that's ever been robbed by a previous tennent/owner.
What if the previous owners were very neighbourly and gave a spare set to the people over the road? My Mum lives on her own and her neighbours have a key, as does my girlfriend's parent's neighbours. Now what if those neighbours got broken into when they were on holiday and the burglars found the spare keys in a drawer, perhaps with a note saying what number house etc? Could happen. Again, it's not worth the risk for a couple hundred pounds...
Soldato
Assuming two locks at around £40 each max I think your a little bonkers to pay £170
Labour isn't free.
Those ABS locks looks nice, thanks for the recommendation there.
When you see how long they take to do you'll know how much an hour you have paid! Locksmiths to put new locks in are not necessary, they only advantage they have is locks on the van but if you take the time to measure and can wait one day then its so easy to do, in most cases is just one screw.Labour isn't free.
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Just change them your self they are very easy to do
Caporegime
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Never done this and don't know why I would tbh.
I have a nest hello doorbell so nobody is going to be living in my attic. I also have a further 4 outdoor cameras and 1 indoor camera.
I also have an alarm. So if someone does break in by picking the lock or using a key, I will know about it.
It's also all insured. I'm more worried about gypsies and gangs targeting the area than previous owners.
I have a nest hello doorbell so nobody is going to be living in my attic. I also have a further 4 outdoor cameras and 1 indoor camera.
I also have an alarm. So if someone does break in by picking the lock or using a key, I will know about it.
It's also all insured. I'm more worried about gypsies and gangs targeting the area than previous owners.
Soldato
... the stock in storage, the van, the travel and the tools they use also aren't free.
The handful of screws you see them use to fit the lock is the last step of a long process. Don't equate the numerous previous steps to having zero cost.
As @MagicBoy said there's the labour, I don't mind paying if we get a spot of advice too. We sent him a pic of what is on the door currently, were asking about what would be best as a stop-gap until we replace the door, asking about an additional thumb turn 'thing' (technical term) and he gave good answers and also explained that any additional locks would weaken the door too much. I personally don't have time to spend researching locks etc. (I'm not the sort of person that Googles for 20mins and makes a decision, it'd end up being a 2 day info-dumpAssuming two locks at around £40 each max I think your a little bonkers to pay £170
) so I'm happy to pay for a service. Each to their own but this guy came recommended, I don't think he's too pricey for the area, and like I said above it's always good to have someone like that in your contacts for any emergencies.You spent £hundreds/£thousands on all that tech but don't want to pay pittance to change the locks?
Soldato
oh yeah and the years of experience. Knew I forgot something. Cheers @Scam!
Soldato
You spent £hundreds/£thousands on all that tech but don't want to pay pittance to change the locks?
He's got an opinion on anything and everything. Feel free to ignore it.
Oh I know. I don't mind pointing out the flaw in logic.He's got an opinion on anything and everything. Feel free to ignore it.
The screws are there, the philips screw driver is in your draw, measure, order, replace. I fully understand the costs to the guy with the van, locksmiths though are not needed at this level. They have a use granted but not this.
As said, pay if you want but this is really easy to do. I think people assume its a complex specialist job when its entirely not and thats what i'm trying to get across but you can't help some can you
I understand your point entirely but for some people they'd rather pay someone for their time (and experience). Like I said, I don't want to spend 2 days researching what locks to fit, measuring them, ordering them, waiting for them to arrive, fitting them etc. Not when I can pay a fair price for someone to do it for me in an hour or so, and I can rest easy that it's been done properly and I haven't inadvertently bodged it etc.As said, pay if you want but this is really easy to do. I think people assume its a complex specialist job when its entirely not and thats what i'm trying to get across but you can't help some can you