How Much Does It Cost To Change Locks?

Many enquiries that locksmiths receive, are about the cost to change locks.

Often, clients are meaning to inquire as to just changing the combinations of their existing locks, so they can maintain the same hardware on their doors.

Or when the keys to their house, office or automobile have been misplaced, stolen or even copied unknowingly (suspected), the have the need to re-code their locks.
Also many new home buyers or new tenants want to make sure that previous residents of their property can no longer gain entry.

Locksmiths across the country vary greatly in their fees. There are accepted industry averages published in locksmith publications like The National Locksmith magazine and the Locksmith Ledger magazine annually, but the going rate can vary from around $5.00 per keyhole to as much as $20.00 per keyhole for residential or commercial door locks and from $10.00 to $35.00 for automobile locks. Often this does not include labor for the removal and refitting of locks.

Master-keying is another charge that most locksmiths charge slightly higher fees for. Often, specialist products like Medeco or Multlock or Primus or Best or Assa or Abloy or Bilock products can incur significantly increased fees due to the higher cost for the pin or disc tumblers.

Locks210.com charges a standard fee of $10.00 per keyhole to re-key a standard residential or commercial door cylinder not including labor for removal and refitting. Master-keying is $15.00 per keyhole.

We can offer automobile re-keying services but prices are subject to application. There are many and varying brands and manufacturers of automobile lock cylinders, requiring multiple different keying kits. Stocking all possible kits to service all makes and models of foreign and domestic vehicles requires significant amounts of warehousing that directly impacts costs.

If the products are brought to us, we charge the same fees without labor of course.

Most locksmiths will provide the first 2 keys at no charge. For residential or commercial doors (not automotive) we provide the first 3 keys.

For an obligation free estimate contact us today on (314)266-1533.

Brightdoor

Last year we posted an article on Brighthandle. A glowing handle indicating the room was in use.

Here is another take on that design, only in the full form factor. an entire door that glows the color, determining whether it is busy or not.

Now even those inebriated souls can be instantly stopped in their tracks.

(....source)

New Biometric Ignition Lock

Hitachi, one of those forward thinking Japanese companies, recently released details on this new type of ignition lock for cars.

A biometric fingerprint ignition lock, effectively does away with the need for mechanical car keys completely.

You will never lose the keys to your car again (unless you lose your finger).
The one drawback, could be, when taking the car to your mechanic for service or repair. You would need to program their fingerprint into the biometric reader.

This will be one surefire method to prevent auto theft or even the kids from taking mommy and daddy's car for a joyride.

The company’s finger-vein biometric technology has been around for a while, most notably in Japanese banks, but the latest attempt to expand the identity-authentication technology goes public this week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Hitachi already has a far simpler system that works as a key to open car doors, but the update, which uses a reader embedded in the steering wheel, goes much further.

Aside from acting as an ignition key, each driver’s finger can be linked to their own preferences for seat position, mirror angles and so on. Additionally, Hitachi reckons a driver’s different fingers could be used to adjust different aspects of the car - middle finger to switch on the GPS, little finger for the air-con and the like.

Own an iPhone?

The next 12-24 months should be an interesting time to own an iPhone. There are many new companies producing all manor of gadgetry to work in conjuction with the iPhone.

One such company is Lextech.

Check out this interesting video of a pan, tilt, zoom camera, being controlled using an iPhone.

Biometric USB Thumb Drive

Bioaxxis, makers of the BD1 deadbolt have recently released this sensational product. A USB thumbdrive with biometric fingerscan technology. This is the most secure thumbdrive available today.

They are available in 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB.

Prices start at $77.00.

Tennessee Locksmith Licensing to begin July 1st

Tennessee locksmiths will all be required to get a license to work in the state effective July 1.

The law was passed in the 2007 legislative session, but the Tennessee General Assembly postponed the effective date for a year. The licenses will come from the Division of Regulatory Boards.

The application process for the program began last week. All applicants are required to be fingerprinted and must either pass an examination or have documented proof of five years' experience. Also, locksmiths will have to complete new basic and continuing education requirements.

(source...)



Last October we reported the introduction of the bill to state legislature.
See Locksmith Licensing Tennessee Style

Decorative Door hardware

Came across this well produced video recently and thought it appropriate to upload it here.

Baldwin products are excellent quality and priced in the upper range but for obvious reasons. All Baldwin products are guaranteed against faulty parts for 10 years. There are very few manufacturers that stand so feverishly behind their products.

Baldwin is sold in multiple countries and is considered in some areas as an industry standard that others attempt to compare themselves to.

A professional locksmith can advise the most suitable product for installation and usually complete the installation better than some door companies or hardware store service departments.

If you decide to purchase a good quality product, wouldnt you also want that product installed by a competent and professional expert? Locksmiths are the experts you need to call in to cater to your desires.

Common Front Doors across America

Many people may not actually realize exactly how easy some locks are to get into.
Perhaps the most common combination of locks found on the majority of front doors across America, is identical to the setup shown in the following video.

This video shows that these types of locks are very simple and extremely quick to get in through.



Dont get me wrong, please!

Not all front doors are this easy, but I am finding many dwellings across the midwest with similar arrangements.

The result of the above video is avoidable, if one were prepared to invest a little more in the security of their homes and belongings.

With the economic climate becoming more and more gloomy daily, unemployment increasing, prices for staple good and services increasing, the quantity of burglaries also increases due to there being more desperate people out there.

DONT BECOME ANOTHER VICTIM!

Inquire today, how we can help to protect your property, your belongings and your loved ones from the increasing crime rates due to the current economic downturn.

Call Us on (314)266-1533 today. Your Life Could depend Upon It!