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July 01, 2021
Moving into a new home comes with a lot of challenges and expectations - from planning to packing and arranging furniture, installing utilities, and changing locks. This last bit is very important as it concerns the security, safety, and privacy of your home.
It’s pertinent to note that before signing the lease agreement, old tenants, realtors, handymen may have access to the apartment. And chances are that someone may have duplicates of the keys to the house. Though this isn't certain, but you never can tell. Since security is one of your priorities then it's necessary to change the locks to have total control of the system.
Changing the locks means that you have rest of mind that your belongings are safe and that it will be impossible for an intruder to gain entry into your house with a duplicate key.
Things to Consider When Changing Locks in Your New House:
Budget
Though you shouldn't spend less than required when it comes to safeguarding your new home, you also do not have to spend more than necessary. That is why at 843 Locksmith, we encourage our clients to always have a budget for a lock change or security upgrade.
Take time out to look at the number of locks to be changed in your home or office. Evaluating your security will go a long way to determining the type of lock you will install. High-security locks are effective and durable but they are bound to cost more.
Quality and Type of Lock
Aesthetics, functionality, and compatibility are three factors you should consider before getting locks for your home. The locks you would buy should fit well with the building's architecture, security requirements, and door configuration. If you’d like to use perimeter doors, they should be keyed the same as the normal locks. Also, make it a priority to buy quality locks from credible distributors.
If you can afford high-security locks, then go for them. Though they do not guarantee overall protection of the house, however, high-security locks offer protection against lock picking, duplicate keys, and drill resistance.
Locks Refurbishment or Upgrade
This applies to houses with low-security locks. And it is usually done if you don't want to spend money on changing the locks. Moving into a new house, you might discover that some doorknobs are stiff while some locks are malfunctioning. This problem can be easily solved by asking the locksmith to refurbish the locks through cleaning or re-installation. The internal mechanisms will have to be fixed, and if the locks are already rusting, they should be removed.
Rekeying
In some cases, you might like the old locks installed in the house and prefer not to make changes. Rekeying would be the best option here. After which, the lock will be operated by the new key. Thus, there is no reason to fear that someone might break into the house with an old key. Cost is another reason you might consider this option because the cost for rekeying is cheaper than installing new locks.
Lock Installation
This is the final step in the whole process. Before you get started, try not to make the mistake of reusing over drilled screw holes or using half-inch screws to install the locks. Failure to adhere to this means that the locks won't be well secured to the door and it can easily be broken by a heavy push. Ensure you use the right type of screws.
Hire a Good Locksmith
Deciding on the locksmith to hire should come early. It is advisable that you call a locksmith over to your home, to inspect the building and give advice on the options available. This is to help you save time and make better decisions, especially in the aspect of budget making. At 843 Locksmith, we will ensure that the job is done correctly and you will be 100% satisfied.