When you move into a new home you no doubt have a lot on your mind. Moving houses can be a time-consuming and often stressful activity. You have so much to think about and organise that it’s no wonder you just want to get it done. However, what a lot of people don’t think about when they move homes is the need to find a good locksmith. Not sure why you would want to utilise the services of a locksmith? Take a look here at how you go about finding a locksmith for your house and why you need one.
Why do you need a locksmith when you move house?
There are two main reasons why you may want to consider utilising the services of a good locksmith when you move to a new home:
Security
Safety is paramount. In any new home, your safety and that of your family should be your top priority. For those who are buying or have just bought a new home, you need to ensure that no former owners or tenants might have access to your property. Not only will this give you peace of mind that your home is safe, but it will also help ensure that no previous tenants may have copies of your keys and therefore access to your house.
Convenience
Rekeying or changing your locks on your new property is often an essential exercise, yet there is nothing more frustrating than trying to sort through a bunch of keys for multiple different locks. Often, the simple act of getting your new home locks unified under one key can make things a lot easier.
How much does a locksmith cost?
The price of a good locksmith can vary, depending upon what services you require. If you want to have your locks completely removed and changed, then you are looking at anywhere from $30 to $300, depending on the number of locks that require work. Whilst this may seem costly, you can’t put a price on security and peace of mind.
If you want a cheaper but no less effective option then you can hire a locksmith to re-key your property. Re-keying your locks is going to be cheaper than changing them entirely as it does not require a complete overhaul of your lock system. Re-keying a lock means that your locksmith will adjust and change the tumblers of your locks on the inside without having to remove them. This means that all old keys will no longer work and your home will be much more secure, without stripping the locks and doorknobs from the door. You can expect re-keying your locks to cost in the region of approximately $40 to $100, depending upon the locksmith you hire to do the job.
What should you look for when hiring a locksmith?
When you start your search for a trustworthy locksmith there are a few things you should be looking out for. A good locksmith will offer a wide variety of different services that can be a great indicator of their expertise in the industry. Some of these include:
- Changing your locks
- Rekeying your existing locks
- Installing security doors for you
- Providing locks for your windows
- Removing keys from locks that have jammed or broken off
- Installing locks on garages and sheds
- Specialising in keyless and electronic locking systems
- Assessing locks for faults
These are just some of the skills that a well trained and experienced locksmith will be able to assist you with.
Why should you hire a professional locksmith?
While it may be tempting to try and install your new lock yourself, or even to give re-keying your own locks a go, you should always hire a professional locksmith. If you attempt to change or adjust your lock yourself you risk doing unfixable damage that could put your home at risk of security breaches, without even knowing it.
Changing your locks can also be a challenging task, especially if you don’t know what you are doing and have no experience in locksmithing. Not only can you damage the lock that you’re trying to install, but you can also end up doing a lot of damage to the door or window that you are attempting to install it into. Rather than DIYing the lock change or re-key, hire a professional and avoid the costly repairs that may result from a DIY attempt. Locksmiths are masters at what they do, so trust them to do the job right for you the first time.
When would you need an emergency locksmith?
There’s nothing more inconvenient than realising that you have locked your keys in your home or that you’ve lost them and cannot find them anywhere. If this happens and you are unable to get through a window, then your best option is to call in a locksmith. A locksmith will be able to help you get into your home without the need to break any windows and can often do it in a fairly short amount of time. Many locksmiths offer emergency callouts so that you will be able to get into your home regardless of whether it’s day or night.
Are you looking for an experienced locksmith?
Changing the locks in your new home should always be one of the first things you do after you move. It can help deter old tenants or owners from gaining access and help to ensure that you and your family are safe in your own home. It is also a fantastic way to consolidate your locks onto just one or two keys, which can make life a lot easier. If you’re looking for more information about locksmiths or whether to re-key or change the locks in your new home, we can help. Get in touch today and our friendly team will be able to answer any questions you may have.