Getting locks changed on day one

evoke

Who do you call to change all the locks on day one of moving? The doors are uPVC doors front, rear and side. Rears are actually patio doors. I don't want the doors changed, just the locks with a new set of keys.

Dave_C_2

Locksmiths?

Tom_Jones

do it yourself, very simple job

withabix

B&Q sell several different barrell lengths for Euro cylinders - just measure the length from each keyhole to the centre screw on the edge of the door. You will probably find it is 35/45 or 35/35.

Buy the same length or a longer one. Longer doesn't really make much difference tbh, especially if you put the excess on the inside. (Snapping the lock out? too much trouble for your average burglar)

Wickes sell them as well, but only a couple of sizes.

daveyjp

If you are changing them replace with anti snap cylinder locks. Easy enough to DIY - look on youtube.

evoke

I could do it myself but I will have a million things to worry about on the first day. I have several builders turning up to do surveys and quotes for lots of work.

A local locksmith has quoted me the following:

£65 + VAT for the labour (1 hour's labour)
£25 + VAT per lock barrel/cylinder change

As I have three locks in total to change, that works out at £140 + VAT. Is that extortionate or reasonable?

DonnySaver

evoke wrote: »

I could do it myself but I will have a million things to worry about on the first day. I have several builders turning up to do surveys and quotes for lots of work.

A local locksmith has quoted me the following:

£65 + VAT for the labour (1 hour's labour)
£25 + VAT per lock barrel/cylinder change

As I have three locks in total to change, that works out at £140 + VAT. Is that extortionate or reasonable?

Doesn't sound that bad but I'd question the quality of the locks he/she is putting in. I'm considering replacing the locks on my UPVC doors with anti-snap and also anti-bump locks. They're about £45 each.

grimsalve

evoke wrote: »

I could do it myself but I will have a million things to worry about on the first day. I have several builders turning up to do surveys and quotes for lots of work.

A local locksmith has quoted me the following:

£65 + VAT for the labour (1 hour's labour)
£25 + VAT per lock barrel/cylinder change

As I have three locks in total to change, that works out at £140 + VAT. Is that extortionate or reasonable?

If they're Euro cylinders then it should only be about 5 minutes per lock, I'm guessing your locksmith rounds up to the nearest hour anyway. You could phone round and get a few comparable quotes but the price you've been quoted seems reasonable.

TBH, I'd just buy and fit my own though, it really is simple. For £25 per lock you could probably get something decent rather than a standard Euro cylinder (costing around a fiver) that your locksmith would fit.

evoke

Okay, food for thought. I might try and do it myself. I just don't want to lock myself out. LOL.

grimsalve

evoke wrote: »

Okay, food for thought. I might try and do it myself. I just don't want to lock myself out. LOL.

Only replace one lock at a time and make sure the second door is unlocked while you're working on the first.

ladylouise62

... and keep the original lock/keys so that you have an emergency change should you ever need it (dodgy lodger/split from partner/lost key) - you probably won't but it can't hurt.