bought new home--changing the locks??

downs523

hi, i have bought a new house, a repossession. when i move in i want to change the locks on the front door and the rear french door. roughly how much is this going to cost me to do?

latecomer

what kind of locks and are you planning on doing it yourself or getting someone in? Yale locks are easy and cheap to replace, mortice locks are a little more work but again not that expensive.

No idea what you would pay to get someone in to do it but I cant imagine it would be that much.

downs523

nt too sure of lock type as i havent moved in yet, its a pvc front door same at rear, planning to get someone in dependant on cost, guess i should find out what type of locks they are then.

Wickedkitten

If it's upvc then all you need to do is change the cylinder rather than changing the entire lock which is a LOT cheaper.

How comfortable are you with DIY? If you are a bit handy then you can just take the cylinder out, measure it and then pop down to your local hardware store and pick up a new one. Something like this

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/52899/Security/Euro-Cylinder-Locks/6-Pin-Euro-Cylinders/Securefast-6-Pin-Euro-Cylinder-Keyed-to-Differ-Brass-35-35-70-mm

I had the bright idea in the last house that we bought of keeping the cylinder from when we changed the lock upon moving in and using them for the next house, but I've only gone and lost the key so I'll be needing some new ones as well when we move in.

27col

If they are Euro cylinders then they are only fixed in with one screw. Absolute doddle to do yourself. You just have to make sure that you buy the same length of cylinder as you are taking out.

downs523

excellent thanks for all the advise, my completion date is 20th feb so will be having a look then. hopefully its one of them euro cylinders!! what other type could they be if there different are they still simple to change?

fifeken

Just found this thread in a search and it's answered most of what I was about to ask so thanks all. One final question however is where would I buy a cylinder? Is it places like B & Q, Homebase etc or is it more specialised places?

Doozergirl

If it's a repossession then it's very likely that the locks were changed when the house was repossessed - they have to keep the previous occupiers out. They can hardly guarantee that if the locks are the same!

Wherehasmymoneygone

Hi,

When I purchased my home in Oct 2007 I wanted to change the locks just to be on the safe side.

My doors are UPVC and I did it myself with minimal cost. I was a 23 yr old female at the time with no experience but managed to do it myself.

I had a set of those tiny screwdrivers which were the tools for the job, I got the cylinder out, wrote down the details and ordered another on ebay.

Did front and back doors for £15 each - purchased from ebay.

Wickedkitten

I couldn't order locks from ebay. Some random person off the net that not only knows your address, but might possibly have a copy of your key? No ta.