Buying new build - change locks?

tom9980

Sometimes I have swapped locks with family members as a free alternative.

pepsimiddleton

Don't bother changing the locks. I sold new build houses for 6 years. The keys are handed by site to sales and sales tag the keys. We know exactly how many keys there are for each lock. When a contractor needs a key he has to sign it in and out. Then all the keys are handed to the purchaser and signed for. It's unlikely a contractor would go off site and get keys cut for houses so he can come back and burgle them later. I have never known any issues in all the years of doing the job.

LandyAndy

KatieDee wrote: »

Please excuse the thread hijack!

Would you always recommend changing the locks on a purchase which is not a new build? I hadn't even thought about it!

I never have and, indeed, I'd never thought about it until I joined MSE. I've never had any problems.

DigForVictory

It's a good point about snagging - an a mate who has moved into a new flat gets on well with the site foreman & has no security worries - indeed she staggered in last week to find the lights she'd chosen for the bathroom & left in the tub were in place. So, it slightly depends on yoru relationship with the site staff.

A year down the line, or sooner, I would change the locks. In part so I've a full set of 'new' (well, year-old) locks to install in case anything goes sideways, in part to nail the security bit. (Just pack the lock with the right keys!)

dimbo61

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BS-Euro-Cylinder-Anti-Snap-Bump-Drill-Pick-High-Security-UPVC-Door-Lock-Barrel-/3208579386

New Barrel from £12.99! and Insurance approved.
No I dont work for this company or ebay but you get the idea

http://www.screwfix.com/c/ironmongery-security/6-pin-euro-cylinders/cat810304 From £7.99

http://www.handlestore.com/category/cylinder-door-locks/0/ from £16.99 and even better security

You need to remove the old barrel and measure it carefully to get the correct size then order plus extra keys if neded.

See link to Video on how to do this :

http://www.handlestore.com/info/video-anti-snap-door-locks/

Job done in 20 minutes
PEACE OF MIND

Freecall

When we moved (many years ago), both houses had cylinder locks so we simply swapped the cylinders and used our existing keys. It took about 10 mins for each.

If you really wanted to be MSE then you could swap with a friend (or for a new build someone else on the estate). Ultimately, if only you know which lock has been installed then you are totally secure.

:D

Dark_Star

A friend mentioned that they'd moved into a new build development some years ago & all houses had patio doors at the back. After a while they realised that ALL the keys to these doors were the same so all the neighbours could access all the houses !


So yes, I'd change the locks no matter if it was an old property or a new build

AnnieO1234

I've got to admit we didn't bother, but then we are looking to change the front door and add a conservatory soon. Reading this thread has got me thinking however.

One thing I would say in a new build development is make sure to keep your doors locked at all times. I had one woman walk into my home (to be fair to her, both houses either side were being marketed and the next ones down are the show homes. I honestly don't know whether I was more angry or embarrassed for her!

Xxx

ethank

pepsimiddleton wrote: »

Don't bother changing the locks. I sold new build houses for 6 years. The keys are handed by site to sales and sales tag the keys. We know exactly how many keys there are for each lock. When a contractor needs a key he has to sign it in and out. Then all the keys are handed to the purchaser and signed for. It's unlikely a contractor would go off site and get keys cut for houses so he can come back and burgle them later. I have never known any issues in all the years of doing the job.

I do think they do take security very seriously. In my case, one of the contractors took the keys home by mistake, and the Taylor Wimpey Site Manager said that as a precaution he was replacing all of my locks for free.

MoneySaverLog

Do the New Builds not have auto resetting keys. Something like this

http://allcountyconstruction.com/EzChange/How.htm