Must-Read Before Buying And Changing Locks In Edmonton
By: RCKEYS
The locks on your home’s doors determine how secure your home is.
If you’re thinking about changing the door locks on your property, keep reading.
Below we’ll talk about the best lock change options available.
1. Recognize how replacing and rekeying differ.
Rekeying or replacing the locks on a door are two options for changing the locks.
Both strategies guarantee that previous keys won’t operate the lock.
You may discover a detailed pricing comparison of replacing versus rekeying, as well as between hiring a professional locksmith and doing it yourself, at the end of this post.
Switching out door locks.
The most thorough technique of guaranteeing security entails taking out the current lock from the door (together with the handle, if it’s a handle-lock combo) and replacing it with a new lock.
Depending on quality, budget between $80 and $300 per lock, plus up to $200 more for expert installation.
However, a lot of door locks have installation instructions and are suitable for do-it-yourselfers.
Updating door lock keys.
This is currently the most popular method for changing door locks in apartment buildings.
To match the lock to a new key, rekeying entails realigning the pins and springs in the lock’s internal mechanism.
A kit that enables you to rekey the locks yourself costs between $15 and $25.
If you want it done properly, budget between $80 and $160 for a locksmith to come out and complete the task.
2. When you relocate, rekey.
Many people will have access to a new home while it is being built, including subcontractors, inspectors, and real estate salespeople.
The lock should be rekeyed because a new homeowner won’t want those individuals to have access to their keys.
Although the buyer’s real estate agent is the one who ensures it is finished before closing, this is normally a step in the sales process (and the builder’s job).
You should always rekey any time you move into a new house since you never know how many extra keys might be lying around.
You are responsible for having the locks rekeyed when purchasing an existing home.
Check your lease agreement for rules regarding if you’re renting and changing locks on a door—you may be required to give the landlord a key to the newly rekeyed lock.
3. Change broken locks.
A lock ultimately wears down, just like any mechanism with moving parts.
A key that sticks or is challenging to turn is the result of jamming the wrong key into the lock or simply from repeatedly locking and opening the door over time.
Rekeying a broken or worn lock won’t fix the problem because it won’t make a worn-out lock brand new again; the locking mechanism’s underlying issues will still remain.
The best course of action in this circumstance is to replace the lock entirely.
4. If your keys are stolen or lost, change the locks.
One of your first priorities should be replacing the locks on your doors if your house keys are ever stolen to prevent anyone from entering your house.
In this case, rekeying is the best course of action, just as it would be if a family member lost track of or misplaced a key.
If the lone key to the lock went missing, that would be the only time you would need to replace the complete lock.
If you don’t have the original key needed for the rekeying procedure, you’ll need to replace the lock entirely.
5. Take into account the simplicity of a single key.
Because the front door key does not suit the rear door or the side door locks, and vice versa, it is annoying to fumble through half a dozen keys.
Rekeying can give you the convenience of having a single key fit all the locks on your home (including the garage) as long as all the doors have the same brand of lock.
The methods of rekeying (and key styles) differ depending on the manufacturer.
If your home has Schlage locks throughout, for instance, you can rekey them all to suit the same key.
If the locks are from different brands, you’ll need to replace some of them in order to get them all rekeyed to work with just one key.
6. More secure locks increase security.
Many homes upgrade to more secure locks following a break-in or a spate of burglaries in the neighbourhood.
Modern door locks feature state-of-the-art technology that enhances and simplifies home security.
Instead of a traditional key to unlock the door, many modern locks include a keypad with a code.
A numerical digit code that can be readily changed to a new code if necessary can be programmed into the keypad.
Home security has been further advanced by high-tech thanks to smart locks that can be remotely locked and unlocked using a phone, tablet, or computer.
The best home security companies, like Vivint, provide smart locks that will also notify you via your device if the door is opened while you are away.
7. Cost evaluation.
Door lock replacement in Edmonton is more expensive than rekeying, but doing it yourself will save you money on both.
Think over the following cost breakdown before making a choice.
Door lock replacement.
Depending on the style, quality of the materials and whether you want a high-end lock-and-handle set with advanced technology features or a simple key-in-knob lock, the price of a new door lock ranges from $40 to $300.
Depending on the complexity of the lock, professional locksmith installation can cost an additional $80 to $200.
Door lock replacement is a reasonably easy.
Do It Yourself Repair.
It should be doable in under an hour if you know how to use a basic screwdriver.
The new locks come with comprehensive installation instructions, and customer support hotlines are frequently open to address any inquiries.
8. Changing Door Lock Keys
Although most major lock manufacturers supply brand-specific rekeying kits, homeowners rarely rekey their own locks because they frequently believe it to be too complicated.
The kits can be purchased for as little as $15 to $25 from the lock manufacturer, a hardware store, or an online vendor.
Rekeying a lock will cost between $80 and $160 from a locksmith in Edmonton.
There is a third alternative if you’re unsure whether you want to rekey your own locks but don’t want to hire a locksmith to visit your house.
With the aid of a screwdriver, remove the lock from the door and transport it to your neighbourhood hardware store or key shop, where a professional will rekey it for you for $5 to $10.
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