If you are a business owner and you own a commercial building and find yourself locked out of it and want to get in, your only recourse may be to call a locksmith — and this would be the most recommended choice. The locksmith knows exactly what to do to help you open your business. However, it is important to make the phone call and have the locksmith come over. But, how expensive is it to hire a commercial locksmith, and is it costly to rekey rather than replace?
Is It Cheaper to Rekey or Replace Locks?
For someone who may have relocated and had to move into a new commercial building, but lost the front door keys, it will be comforting to know that a locksmith can provide a solution. Many people do not know that you do not have to change the entire lock, and typically this option is more expensive. A good locksmith will know that rekeying is the cheaper and more viable option.
It is cheaper to rekey locks than to change them since the price of the pins is low. When your locks are rekeyed, you only get charged by the locksmith for the specific labor done. When you change the locks, you are going to pay for the parts plus the labor. You should also be aware that every lock has a built-in ‘rekey’ option. Therefore, your locks will always be re-keyable if you must consider calling a locksmith again. The only difference is that the locksmith may have to use different tools for different locks. You will save so much more money by choosing to rekey rather than replace the entire lock.
How Do You Rekey a Commercial Lock?
The locksmith has to change the pins after taking apart the lock cylinder. Of course, you can do this yourself, but you may not have the right tools. So, it is always best to call a locksmith. The locksmith will use tweezers, needle-nose pliers, and a four-in-one screwdriver. There are also rekeying kits available for purchase, but these are for certain brands of locks. However, this means that they cannot be used across the board and so, not interchangeable. The kit will depend on the type of lock that you currently have. The good thing is that you can use each kit to rekey up to six locks. Extra pins can be ordered if you have more than six locks.
The first thing you would do is to use the wire tool in the kit to insert into the hole of the knob and then lower the clip found on the knob; after which you would pull the knob from the door. Remove the lock cylinder, pushing it out of the back of the doorknob. Remove the retainer ring from the inside the cylinder. Carefully set it aside so you can use it later. Last, but not least, carefully remove the plug from the cylinder while making sure the springs and pins are kept intact. Insert the new pins and start putting back the pieces you removed.
Can I Rekey a Commercial Lock Myself?
You can rekey a commercial lock yourself by following the instructions above, but you are going to possibly need a rekeying kit. Follow the instructions above, and make sure that when you remove any of the essential parts, you set them carefully aside so that when you try to put it back together, you are able to access the pieces. A simple tweezer, pliers, and screwdriver will be needed before you can even start, but these are tools that you can grab from any local store.
How Much do Locksmiths Charge to Rekey Locks?
The cost to hire a locksmith is much more affordable than you think. The cost is less than $200 and includes the rekeying cost plus the cost to have the locksmith come out to your business place. It also depends on where your business is located and how many locks you want to rekey. The most affordable way to rekey a lock is to take the lock to the locksmith shop and then you will not have to pay for the service call. There are other circumstances that the locksmith will take into consideration such as the number of locks and the time it takes to accomplish everything.
Who Can I Call to Rekey Locks in a Commercial Building?
If you need a locksmith that offers 24/7 service and you are in need of help with rekeying the locks on your commercial building and you do business in the city of Houston, call Express Locksmith today. We offer a wide range of services that you can take advantage of.
