When you buy a new home, have seen renters come and go, given a key or two to home improvement contractors or have had someone recently move out of your home, you may wonder if someone out there has a key you are not aware of. Many are surprised to learn that an estimated 65% of break-ins are perpetrated by those who know the homeowner, and 8% of those break-ins are done with the actual key to the home. This is an example as to why many homeowners will replace their home’s locks or have them rekeyed. However, there are a number of reasons (and not just security) as to why a homeowner will want to have their home’s locks replaced. When you are considering changing the locks on your home you will need to determine if you want to replace the entire lock or to have the locks rekeyed. First Lock & Security Technologies offers the following points to consider when weighing rekeying versus replacing the locks to your home to help determine which route is best for you.
Rekey or Replace Locks?
When you want to ensure you have the only key to your home, you may consider replacing the lock or having them rekeyed. Replacing the lock sounds simple. You go down to your local hardware or locksmith store and buy a new locking system. Many DIY homeowners can remove the old locking system and install the new one but not all. Many a homeowner has called us here at First Lock & Security Technologies with the old lock disassembled because they weren’t sure how to proceed. In addition, door locks, especially good quality door locks, are a major investment. When replacing all of the home’s exterior locks it can become a major investment. While some people may like the fresh start, others may not want to replace their homes locks as it may feel like a waste. For those who have previously invested in quality locks, making a second investment may not be the most appealing option.
Benefits of Rekeying Locks
Rekeying locks is often the more economical way to go. Rekeying the lock allows the original locks to stay in the door. A locksmith can remove the lock mechanism which houses the pins that is designed to fit the current keys. The pins in the lock are removed and replaced with new pins that will require a new key to fit the new pin configuration. When deciding to replace or rekey your home’s locks, it is often the better choice to rekey for these reasons. Rekeying the exterior locks is fast and takes far less time than removing all of the locks and installing the replacements. Rekeying is often the more affordable choice, especially when you have invested in good quality locks for the home. Rekeying allows the homeowner to keep their locks and have the keys changed out which saves the homeowner money. Many homeowners also install locks to match the look and design of the home as well as for security. Door handles and locks can greatly vary in design and sometimes it can be hard to find the matching lock to your door handle. When the locks need to be replaced, many times the homeowners will change the door handle to make sure they match. This is unnecessary. It is easier and better to rekey the door lock instead of having to find matching hardware. Another benefit of rekeying the home, is that you can have one key to fit all the locks. A locksmith can put the same configuration of pin in every lock which allows one key to unlock all of the doors in your home. You can finally lighten up your key ring.
Lock Sales, Installation, Upgrades, Replacements & More in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Milpitas & Los Altos, California
There are many reasons why many homeowners choose to have the home rekeyed. If you need help rekeying your home, contact First Lock & Security Technologies today. We can handle all your lock and safe needs!
