At some point, many home or business owners face the decision to either re-key locks on their structure, or replace them altogether. In some cases a homeowner may have lost their keys to get in, or a business owner may have recently taken over the company and may need to modify the keys to ensure only certain personnel have access. Regardless of the situation, however, it is a decision that should be carefully considered before a choice is ultimately made.
If you find yourself facing this question, then, how can you decide whether to re-key or replace your locks? To understand the benefits and drawbacks of both options, read through the following guide, and consider speaking to a professional for help.
Cost Considerations
When facing the choice of either re-keying or replacing the locks in your home or business, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of the project. And here, in nearly every situation, you will find that it is less expensive, perhaps significant, to choose to re-key. By choosing to re-key, you will only need to make slight modifications to the existing locks on your structure; choosing to replace the locks entirely, however, requires the purchase of new equipment, which can be costly.
Simplicity of Re-Keying
In addition to allowing you to save money, re-keying also happens to be a much simpler process, as well, potentially one that you can facilitate at home with the help of professional instructions. To be sure, an individual in need of re-keying a lock may be able to do this at home; however, when in doubt, it is always a smart choice to contact a professional locksmith in the area who can provide assistance.
Of course, you may also be able to replace your locks yourself, yet doing so requires a significant larger investment of time, and is, again, best left to a professional who can ensure the locks are installed properly.
When is it Necessary to Replace the Locks?
There are, undoubtedly, very clear benefits to re-keying a set of locks over replacing them, including the cost and simplicity of the process. When, then, should an individual consider replacing the locks altogether?
Ultimately, you should opt to replace a set of locks entirely if the lock has sustained damage, has become worn over time, or is not working properly for some other reason. In this case, re-keying the lock may not provide a solution to the problem, and you may instead be required to replace the set.
In turn, this begs an additional question: how can you tell if a faulty lock can be re-keyed, or if it needs to be replaced? To find the answer to this question, you should consult a locksmith at A-1 Locksmith in Dallas. By speaking with a professional locksmith you can find answers to this and any other questions you may have, and pursue the best option for your specific circumstances.