Are you a new homeowner? Are you planning to move into a new property soon? If you are, hiring a locksmith before you even make the move should be at the top of your priority list. Some homeowners make the mistake of moving in first before they hire a locksmith, while others don’t even see the need to hire a locksmith at all; this is not a good move.
If you must move into a new property, you need to hire a locksmith first and here are five reasons why this should be the case for all new homeowners.
Table of Contents
Why New Homeowners Need Reliable Locksmiths
1. To install new locks
Every house has locks and keys used by the previous owner or occupant of the property. Once you secure the house, the keys will be handed over to you, but the responsibility is yours to change the locks. In fact, the longer the locks remain in place, the more unsafe you are for one major reason.
You see, while you may have the keys to the house, you never know whether you are the only person with those keys. There could be duplicates in the hands of strangers that you are not aware of. Failure to change the locks is a very big gamble that is not worth taking. Also, if you choose to move your properties into the home and then change the locks after you start living there, this is another major gamble, but why?
In your absence, the stranger with the duplicate key can walk into your home and steal your valuables. To avoid such an unfortunate experience, it is better to change the locks immediately before you move into the house. Locks can cost between $50 or more depending on their quality, but a minimum investment is worth it compared to the risk of losing your valuables or exposing yourself to vandals.
2. To perform a security audit
Another reason you may need to hire a locksmith before moving into a new home is to perform a security audit. If you live in a high-risk neighbourhood or/and you plan to bring valuable items into the house, such as jewellery and expensive equipment, changing the locks and keys is not enough!
You need a locksmith expert to come around to run a security audit on the property. Locksmiths have the right training to identify weak spots in your home that you may not even notice. They know which part of your home is vulnerable and requires locks. They are also trained to know which locks and security devices will serve your needs. Suffice it to say that a home security audit will give you a clear idea of what needs to be done and where to improve security.
3. For safety
Changing the locks on the house is not the only thing to plan for. If the house has a safe, you should plan for that as well. Getting inside a safe left by a previous occupant is not easy, especially if they didn’t provide the combination and there is no way to contact them. Cracking a safe is an expensive endeavour; the more valuable the safe, the more it will cost to crack. Instead of wasting time and effort on the old safe you met in the house, it is best to install a new one if you need a safe of your own. You can hire a locksmith to install the safe where you can keep your valuables and cash.
4. For insurance purposes
Some insurance companies will only insure your property against burglary if they are certain you have done all possible to secure the property in the first place. Some will even go as far as to request a security audit by a certified locksmith. If you want to ensure your new home is against burglary, your chances of getting a good plan are to first hire a locksmith to audit the property and install quality locks and devices.
Once you are done with this, you can approach an insurer for a plan. The more secure your property is, the lower the premium you will be charged. However, if the property is not secure, your premium charge will be much higher as the insurer will consider your property a risky asset.
5. To change/repair broken locks
Assuming you discover that some of the locks inside the house have gone bad or are broken, there may not be a need to change them all. For this, you can hire a locksmith to repair the ones that can be salvaged and change the ones that can’t. Locks suffer wear and tear like every other asset; constantly locking and unlocking your doors and lockers weaken them, and the weaker they are, the more vulnerable they become.
If you hire a reliable locksmith, like Locksmith Aventura FL, they can repair or change the locks inside the house for you, but the locks to the main doors and gate need a total change, even if they are working fine.
If you are moving into a new house, consider these reasons and hire a locksmith.
6. You may not be aware of your vulnerabilities
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think much about your locks. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when it comes to security:
Your locks may not be up to the task of protecting your property if they’re not properly installed and maintained.
Even if your locks are in good condition, they may not be able to stop someone who knows how to pick them.
If you’re moving into a new home or house, make sure to have a locksmith inspect the security of your doors and windows before you move in. He or she can help you ensure that your belongings are safe and that no one can break in while you’re away.