Changing the locks + adding some on new home

DRP

westv wrote: »

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?

i didn't do it the first time we bought, but did it straightaway on this recent purchase...

The difference being I work away a lot now (and am leaving my wife and toddler in the house).

Different strokes for different folks, it is all about feeling secure - and for less than 20 quid, why not have that peace of mind..?

C_Mababejive

I regularly come into contact with locksmiths and i have asked a few about the prevalence of lock snapping and bumping and they say it is more media myth than reality though of course it is possible and can happen.

Cade_Foster

I work in the insurance industry and honestly there is no point installing locks on bedroom doors and internal doors, all the theives do is wreck your doors to get in and it uaully only requires a boot to the door, also dont lock them when you are in bed at night as if there is a a fire it is a fire risk.

But if you are stuck on fitting them Internal doors tend to thinner than normal usually 35mm instead of external wooden 44mm thick doors, so you will need 3 lever (dont buy 5 lever for internal) mortice locks, shouldn't be too expensive to fit and can pick the locks up at most diy places and screwfix b and q ect .

Cade_Foster

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I regularly come into contact with locksmiths and i have asked a few about the prevalence of lock snapping and bumping and they say it is more media myth than reality though of course it is possible and can happen.

Got to say its true at my firm we dont get that much of it.

G_M

westv wrote: »

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?

If you don't change (all) the external locks you have to accept the risk posed by the fact that the following people have keys to your home:

* the estate agent (he kept an extra set)
* the previous owners (just in case they forgot something and need to pop back
* their teenage daughter
* their daughter's boyfriend (currently in prison, but due for release soon)
* the baby-sitter
* the weekly cleaner
* the decorator they used 5 years ago who never returned the key
* his mate down the pub who paid him £20 for a copy

And remember your insurance won't be valid for theft if there is no forced entry........

missprice

westv wrote: »

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?

Current house needed new doors hence new locks came with doors.
New house had an old fella living there for 50 years and who knows how many people had keys or access to keys, plus a bunch was with estate agent. We met the grandson and he cleared the house before it went up for sale. Carers had to visit the man, the gardener had to do his thing.
So we are up to 4 people who had keys and could easily have the original or got copies.
For the sake of £60 on new locks/barrels ( fitted myself, with googles help on the mortice)

We are not even moved in yet but to lose the tools and materials would be a huge loss.

Old_Git

the weakest part of a wooden door with a mortice lock is the area with the lock ,as you will have cut away 1/3 off the door to install it .

chockydavid1983

Thanks for your replies guys.
I can't imagine there being a problem with people breaking into my house who still have keys but you do just never know and for the sake of a small amount of money I think it's worth that for peace of mind.
I think I'm gonna hold off on internal locks for now. The main reason I was considering it is that I have a home music studio that I will be upgrading in the next year or so so a decent value of stuff will be in that one room. I didn't realise how expensive it was so I won't bother with the other bedrooms.

Cheers,
Chris.

phill99

If you want an internal lock on a door as you have high value items in the room, the door will need changing. It is of no value putting a lock in a hollow door as a little pressure on the door will see the door give, not the lock. You will need a solid door, ideally fire rated as they are 44mm thick as opposed to 35mm thick, 2 mortice locks, hinge studs and a screwed 25mm door stops.

G_M

Once theives are in your house, any locked door will simply attract them - they'll know something is being proteted. So all you achieve is a smashed door to repair, unless you strengthen the door considerably.