Price To Change Locks

[goodgolly]

Some advice please.

I've just bought a house and am not absolutely convinced that the previous owner has handed over all the keys - to be fair, he was on holiday on the day of completion and may well hand over any spares when he returns.

But - for peace of mind - I'm wondering about changing the barrels in the front & back upvc multi-point-locking doors.

Can someone give me an idea of what a locksmith might charge please.

Thanks

[ivor4781]

less than £10 just take out the barrels 56 min job

[ivor4781]

sorry 5 min job

[goodgolly]

Thank you, Ivor - very useful indeed

GG

[EDDIE51]

VERY GOOD IDEA! , always change locks when you move to a new house.
The ex house owner may be as honest as the day is long but you can never be sure there is not a spare key they forgot about!

[Peter Pedant]

and keep the old locks so that when you or a member of the fambly move you dont have to buy new ones

I have had a lot of "fun" with tenants who think it is OK to keep an old key for the mail/post you see.... ( ! ! hmm )

remember the burglar alarm - it is cheaper to change the number

pther wise it is around £200 - call out fee for a locksmith is £75 and hourly charge thereafter - you can ring for a quote

[The Builder]

Ivor's on the case, but here's a good tip ..............

Ask for locks that are "keyed alike". As many as you like. That way you have one key for all doors.

[goodgolly]

Thank you both.

A naive question - are all the barrels the same fitting - I see things described as 'Euro' cylinders for double glazed doors?

[goodgolly]

Thank you to The Builder too - does that cost much more?

[The Builder]

Euro cylinders ... yes, but length varies. They should all be the same diameter, but you need to measure the old lock.

Measure from one end to the locking bit in the middle, then measure from the other end to the same locking bit. It could well be off centre.

Take those measurements with you, or choose from options if you order online.

[goodgolly]

Thank You - I shall have a go tomorrow.

[bednobs]

pp's estimate seems a bit pricy to me. i recently had the lock changed (back door 5 lever mortice, front door yale and the addition of a 5 lever mortice to the front door. It cost £150 for a man to come same day and do it

[Canary42]

Why not ask a few locksmiths for a quote - much better than pot luck on AB.

An afterthought - Of course you will get a ballpark figure here perhaps.

[The Builder]

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/locks_latches_and_security/cylinders

No, it adds very little to the cost usually. You can buy multipacks ... all keyed alike. The only thing I can think of is that they may have to be ordered if the locks are different lengths.

Ironmongery direct are very good. It may be well worth ringing them when you have the locks in front of you.

[goodgolly]

Yes - I have also asked a local firm for a quote - but asking here has shown that I might just have the skills to do it myself.

Thanks again, everyone.

[The Builder]

You can always come back if you run into problems, GG.
AB is cheaper than a locksmith ;o)

[gness]

AB may be cheaper, GG.....but the therapy needed if you hang around too long can break the bank..... ;-)

[alavahalf]

When changing Euro cylinders .. the locksmith needs 2 things to complete the job on the first visit. He needs cylinders the right length and secondly the right finish (Brass, chrome, satin etc).
It's very important that the new cylinders are the right length, otherwise they can be opened without a key in seconds.
I often get asked to change locks after a snatched handbag has occured. The owner usually loses keys and purse when this happpens. I change all the cylinders and deadlocks on the ground floor, however many there may be.
Euro locks take less than 1 minute to change and a reasonable cylinder costs in the region of £20-25 .. dont get the cheapest you can.
My fees are supported by the local council, so they wouldn't reflect what another locksmith will charge.
What I can tell you is if the Police have given me 3-4 jobs in a day...
( 3-4 houses to change all the locks in ) I need to pass any extra work on to an independent locksmith to get it done the same day. We would usually get charged £100 + for one Euro cylinder.. (and £160+ for a mortice lock).
It's a lot of money when as I say .. I can remove the old one and replace it with a new one in under a minute.

.. it is a must that you change the cylinders asap. Having attended 100's of burglaries I am well aware that they are happening right now.
If someone unauthorised has a key to your house, the best way to prevent them from using it and opening your door, is to fit your existing key in the lock and partially turn it cylinder.

[woodchopper]

Had to change the euro cylinder on my father's garage door - locksmith was looking £80+ ( a complete hoodlum in my opinion). Henderson's ( the door manufacturer) were looking £40+ and got one off eBay for £8. Two minute job to change.

[goodgolly]

Thank you all - reading this gave me the confidence to do the job myself.

Took about 5 minutes per door & was very easy indeed - now I can sleep much more happily.