Lock change after moving

kinger101

It's an easy DIY job. If you have a eurocylinder, I'd recommend an anti-bump, anti-snap lock/barrel (Google it). Otherwise, a professional burglar can open it in under a minute.

You might also want to double check that whatever security/locks you have meets the requirements of your insurance policy.

thesaint

MrMrMr wrote: »

It's, in my opinion, more convenient to have the same key for both back and front door.

It is of course more convenient, but few households walk around with their back door key. So, the extra cost is not effective.

MrMrMr

thesaint wrote: »

It is of course more convenient, but few households walk around with their back door key. So, the extra cost is not effective.

The way my house is setup though the car park is at the back which I use often, and it's a walk around to the front if I park there.

I can park on the road at front, but if no space I goto back, so having same key is convenient, but not essential

kinger101

MrMrMr wrote: »

The way my house is setup though the cat park is at the back which I use often, and it's a walk around to the front if I park there.

I can park on the road at front, but if no space I goto back, so having same key is convenient, but not essential

There are plenty of places that sell keyed-alike on-line

Here for example;

http://www.lockshop-warehouse.co.uk/

AI999

Personally I would always change the door and garage locks whenever moving into a property as you don't know who may have copies of the existing keys.
Changing a euro profile cylinder (which is what it sounds like you have) is pretty easy and quick to do. You will however need to know the correct size to get a replacement. I bought mine from a very helpful company in Stockport, Cheshire called Cookson Hardware.

JonoClouds

You should change your locks as soon as you move in. No question about it.

I moved in on Friday and did not have a chance to change the locks right away. Before the weekend was out, someone had entered the house using a key and disturbed things. As far as I could see, nothing was taken.
On Monday I changed the locks and the alarm code.
It's Tuesday now and the vendor, via the estate agent, has contacted me to say that a key-holder (a family member, in fact) had tried yet again to enter the property and discovered that I had changed the locks. In this case, a family dispute is to blame.

So you should always change the locks without delay. You just cannot know who has a key or what their motives might be.

caprikid1

It is important to remember that when measuring locks it is important that the lock barrel is not currently proud of the handle by any significant amount. There is a risk of the lock being snapped it is too proud so like for like is not always correct as the wrong lock may be in there sometimes from the start.

G_M

XXX_Locksmiths wrote: »

You should really always use a locksmith is approved by the Master Locksmiths Association, as XXX locksmiths are CRB checked, vetted and fully qualified.

Anyone can become a locksmith, as the industry is not regulated, so you could be literally hiring anyone.

Post reported.

It is against forum rules to publicise your business.

benjus

How easy/cheap it is really depends on what type of locks you have.

If you have Euro cylinder locks it's both cheap and dead easy.

Yale locks are also cheap and easy.

Mortice locks can be more fiddly, especially if you can't find a lock case that's exactly the same shape as the old one. Generally more expensive than Euro cylinders as you're replacing the whole lock.

High security non-standard locks (e.g. Banham) may be quite easy (haven't tried replacing a cylinder myself) but cost a lot.

DRP

keep the old cylinders and keys.

When you next move house you won't have to shell out the 10/20+ quid again as you'll have the spares (assuming standard door, cylinder sizes of course).