Changing the locks + adding some on new home

chockydavid1983

Hi guys,

I had a locksmith come this morning to quote for this:
Supply and fit new euro cylinders to 3 doors downstairs (this is front door and 2 back doors- one from lounge to conservatory and one from conservatory to garden) - £145 + VAT
Supply and fit mortice locks to 3 bedroom doors (no locks currently and apparently thin locks are required as the doors are quite thin) - £195 + VAT

This seems quite expensive to me but then it's the only quote I have so far. Is it reasonable?
Also, I've been reading that you don't need a locksmith for things like this and a joiner could do it? I'm not practical so wouldn't want to do it myself.

Thanks,
Chris.

thesaint

Changing the euro cylinders would take 2-3 minutes each, and cost £10-£15 per cylinder.

Are the bedroom doors solid wood?

dotdash79

Euro cylinders can be done by yourself quickly and very easy (can be one screw)

I paid £100 for 3 locks but fitted them myself took my 30 min as one door I had to remove cover and a couple of other things.

Make sure you get and snap and anti bump locks.

chockydavid1983

Thanks for your replies guys.
Yes, the bedroom doors are solid wood.
Is that £100 for 3 mortice locks? Would £195 + VAT be reasonable for fitting them in that case?
What kind of tools are needed for fitting locks? I'm worried about not doing it properly with something as important as locks.

thesaint

Have a look on Youtube for changing a Euro lock.
All you need is a posi drive screwdriver.

G_M

Use google to learn how to measure the locks, so you buy the correct size. It's not hard.

Once you have the correct replacement lock, all you'll need is a screwdriver and 15 spare mintues.

The new locks might be a bit harder as you need to cut out a section of the door to fit them. But again, once you've bought the correct locks, any decent handyman or carpenter can fit them in 20 minutes.

http://www.discountlocks.co.uk/Euro-Cylinders-Oval-Cylinders-s/2.htm

http://www.lockandkey.co.uk/

phill99

If yiu sre nit sure about doing it yourself, get a handyman out. Its about 10 mins for all 3 eurolocks and up to a morning for the mortice locks. You should get all done for £150.

chockydavid1983

Thanks for your replies guys.
Yeah, I've just realised they come in different sizes, I'll check out how to measure.
Also they seem to come in 3 types: Single Cylinder, Double Cylinder and Double Cylinder with Thumbturn. Can I get any of these as long as I get the right size?
I think I will get the euro locks and see how I go with fitting the internal door (lounge to conservatory) and if I have any problems I can get a handyman.

ging84

fitting mortise locks to door that don't already have them involves some carpentry work so it's going to be costly

why do you need these locks though? how secure do your bedrooms need to be?
lockable door knobs could be a lot simpler to fit but they are not as secure

G_M

Advice on euro locks. Types. Sizes etc

anti-snap? anti-pick?

http://www.bernards.co.uk/oval_euro_cylinders_faq.htm

http://www.upgrademylock.com/upgrade-my-lock/how/

westv

I wonder what percentage of buyers change the locks in places they've bought. Never done it myself but each to their own.
Any stats anywhere of problems with no change done?