I'm with you here - there's a few things I just won't DIY. I'd prefer to pay for the saving of my time and the piece of mind that the job will be done better than I could do.
New house - changing the locks
- Thread starter jb7
- Start date
I'm with you here - there's a few things I just won't DIY. I'd prefer to pay for the saving of my time and the piece of mind that the job will be done better than I could do.
Soldato
As said, pay if you want but this is really easy to do. I think people assume its a complex specialist job when its entirely not and thats what i'm trying to get across but you can't help some can you
Going back to the OP - you ever moved house?
Might be a simple job if you've got a spare afternoon and have a DIY itch. With 3000 other things going on, a stressed mrs and a couple of kids running around in the middle of bedlam ... makes sense to get the professionals in to do it and do it properly. You've already spent £thousands on moving, why give yourself a heart attack over another £80?
Caporegime
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 38,372
As @MagicBoy said there's the labour, I don't mind paying if we get a spot of advice too. We sent him a pic of what is on the door currently, were asking about what would be best as a stop-gap until we replace the door, asking about an additional thumb turn 'thing' (technical term) and he gave good answers and also explained that any additional locks would weaken the door too much. I personally don't have time to spend researching locks etc. (I'm not the sort of person that Googles for 20mins and makes a decision, it'd end up being a 2 day info-dump) so I'm happy to pay for a service. Each to their own but this guy came recommended, I don't think he's too pricey for the area, and like I said above it's always good to have someone like that in your contacts for any emergencies.
You spent £hundreds/£thousands on all that tech but don't want to pay pittance to change the locks?
I don't feel I need to. I'll be getting a new door no doubt at some stage and that will come with a new lock.
I am reasonably sure that the previous owners have zero interest in stealing anything in the house. I'd be happy if they did tbh means I could get all new stuff on insurance and I'd have all the proof on camera for the insurance company, etc.
I'm also pretty certain most folk don't bother either. It's just money for old rope.
Like I said before the home is secure in multiple ways. Changing the locks isn't going to make it any more secure apart from previous owners.
I have a mate who lives in a 7 bedroom mansion with 5 en suites, jacuzzi, games room the lot. I know he has lost multiple house keys multiple times and he's never bothered to change his locks either. Good drunken times were had. Thy did get a new door a few years back so I suppose most of the risk from those keys out there has been mitigated but I'm sure whoever has them isn't going to bother checking the 1 million homes in the area to see which door it opens either.
I'm fairly sure that nobody is going to be breaking into my home using a copied key. If anything it will be a brick through the back patio doors. I have 2 cameras covering the back for this reason. I don't see changing locks making my home securer putting metal bars on those doors would but then I'd rather not do that.
Plus it's been 5 years now. What are the previous owners waiting for if they were going to break in?
Soldato
Gotta love opinion and supposition presented as fact.
Except it's not the previous owners you need to worry about. What about their friends, family... people they were neighbourly with and shared keys? You just don't know.
PS: I'm really happy for you that you've got rich friends. Totally necessary point there, I'm sure. lol. But what I think you'll find with people like that is they have a slightly different perspective on life and their belongings and property.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 38,372
I didn't buy my house off gypsies I'm sure I'll be fine. Like I said before it's been 5 years now what are they waiting for?
We've had plenty of break ins in the area and yet my house hasn't been done yet others in the street have. I find the nest hello is the best deterrent.
Soldato
Maybe they know who lives there ?
Flawed logic is flawed. How did you know on day 2 of living there that no one would break in for 5 years. lol
And I don't know what gypsies have to do with it. Your well-to-do Brian and Maureen in their seventies are way more likely to have given young Gavin from over the road a set of keys "just in case". And I don't know about you, but I don't want Gavin having a set of my house keys forgotten in his drawer. End of story.
Soldato
So you spent money on a security system and made a conscious decision NOT to change the locks because you have a feeling that the previous occupants wouldn't burgle you, and you'd welcome a burglary as an opportunity to make a claim?
I don't understand the logic.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 38,372
I'm not exactly wanting to be burgled but I have insurance to cover the things I own if I did so it wouldn't be the worst thing if it were to happen as I could get new stuff.
Have you not seen his previous posts? He doesn’t really use logic.
Soldato
yep. I changed my front yale lock when recently moving house.
The back you would need to jump multiple fences/enter neighbours and jump a fence to get to.
The side entrance you'd need to jump a fence also.
I also have a dog so safe to say I'm not really concerned.
Associate
- Joined
- 22 Nov 2017
- Posts
- 329
What's it like up there?
Soldato
Logic and Sonny are mutually exclusive
Ahh a good ole ‘mate’ story.....no post is complete without your mate story. Good for you Jay
The argument isn't "Everyone with a house, no matter how long they've lived there, should change their locks" though, is it? It's "Is it a good idea to change your locks when you move house?"
IMO yes, common sense and peace of mind.
I bought these and did it myself.
Avocet ABS TS007 3 star diamond grade anti snap euro cylinder locks – Avocet Hardware (UK) Ltd (abs-secure.co.uk)
I bought these and did it myself.
Avocet ABS TS007 3 star diamond grade anti snap euro cylinder locks – Avocet Hardware (UK) Ltd (abs-secure.co.uk)
Soldato
I guess it depends on who you're buying the property from. Can't see the wealthy old couple we bought it from being particuarly interested in petty crimes.
Nope but private let with many previous tenants or a house will many tradesmen coming in and out to get it ready for next owner.
I know a guy who got a house built on some waste land (to sell not live in) and he came in 2-3 days after a top of range bathroom was installed and it was gone and no sign of break in.
I know a guy who got a house built on some waste land (to sell not live in) and he came in 2-3 days after a top of range bathroom was installed and it was gone and no sign of break in.