Should I change my locks after a reno?

ziggyboy · Mar 26, 2008 11:50 am

Instinct told me to change the locks right after settlement. Not long after I decided to renovate pretty much everything--kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and paint. Two weeks on I realised the keys have been with countless tradesmen--painters, tilers, electricians, plumbers, etc.

So should I change my 3 week old locks?

commodorenut · Mar 26, 2008 11:56 am

Can you trust them? Do you know them?

While not many tradies would attempt it, you never know who may have had a copy made - and they had plenty of time to 'scope' your possessions & locations.

Me personally, I'd be changing them (or at least the front door) or adding an additional deadlock/deadbolt to the front door as a minimum if you don't have an existing one.

You probably won't need to worry - but there's always the off chance.

PhoenixStar · Mar 26, 2008 12:02 pm

I agree with CN, and while you're at it, you can get them all keyed alike...
Just take them to the local locksmith....it's a pretty easy job or if you cant be bothered taking them out, then call one to come around for a fee!!!

ziggyboy · Mar 26, 2008 12:28 pm

Is re-keying cheaper than buying new locks?

PhoenixStar · Mar 26, 2008 12:39 pm

ziggyboy

Is re-keying cheaper than buying new locks?

ziggyboy check with your local locksmith and see what they charge??? Depends on the locks you have in your home i suppose?

If they are the cheaper locks, then it might be cheaper/easier to buy 3 new locks, but order them in with the same keys....for your own convenience

commodorenut · Mar 26, 2008 1:29 pm

Re-keying is definately cheaper. As a rough guide, I paid $22 to have both ends of a deadlock changed, and 2 new keys were $3 each on top of that (what good is a new barrel code without a key??? :cry:

)

To give you an idea of the cost, I did the following:
12 sliding window locks (Whitco)
4 sash window locks (W)
2 patio bolts (W)
1 front door deadbolt (W)
1 internal doorknob with keyed alike lock
3 new security door barrells
1 existing deadlatch (lockwood) re-keyed.

All of them run off just the 1 key.

All up was just over $400 supplied & changed. They did the deadlock while I waited, and as I'd given them a week's notice, the other bits were ready to go.

Adrian B · Mar 26, 2008 2:54 pm

Generally, and I mean generally, there is no need ot change the locks on a new house.

The tumblers (bits that may your key work and not others) reamain in a semi static position and are not completely engaged. This way builders can use whats called a builders key. Any builder with a builders key can open any door provided it has NOT been opened with the final keys, IE your house keys.

When you open the lock for the first time with your house keys, it completely engages the tumblers to only work for your key from then on.

As part of our handover, our supervisor went around and checked each lock with us. He made sure that the locks worked. We then went around them again to make sure they still worked. We had an issue with the garage side door, which was fixed that afternoon with a local locksmith at Big M's expense.

DeeElle · May 02, 2008 11:37 pm

I would change them.

to_do_list · May 03, 2008 12:15 am

I would and will on the established house we bought.

I would after a major reno.

On the existing place we didn't because of the "builders key" aspect that Adrian B explained. I've mentioned before they left the builders key in the door accidentally and we nicked it to gain access (please don't post about how terrible a person I am for doing this.....I've already been told...on other threads

) suffice to say the said nicked builders key wouldn't work anymore.

Kevin Brown · Aug 09, 2008 12:07 am

to_do_list

I would and will on the established house we bought.

I would after a major reno.

On the existing place we didn't because of the "builders key" aspect that Adrian B explained. I've mentioned before they left the builders key in the door accidentally and we nicked it to gain access (please don't post about how terrible a person I am for doing this.....I've already been told...on other threads

) suffice to say the said nicked builders key wouldn't work anymore.

Builders keys are changed as well every so often to stop previous workers from gaining access