http://taipeitigers.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] taipeitigers.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2013-04-02 10:45 am
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Locksmith recommendations?

I just realized that I never changed my locks after buying my place (our dear seller, I hope you are not reading this).  I searched old posts, and the posts under "key and lock" were dated in 2011 or earlier.  Are there recent recommendations for locksmiths?  For changing the lock, do I need to buy brand new ones?  Or I have to somehow take it apart and bring it to a hardware store?  Or I should ask a locksmith to come?  What is a reasonable price to change the lock for the front door?

Thanks,
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[identity profile] 42itous.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
We had a good experience with Herb's Locksmith in Arlington: http://www.yelp.com/biz/herbs-locksmith-arlington
The guy came and changed the locks when we bought our condo. He was able to rekey the existing locks, we didn't have to have new ones installed. I don't remember what it cost.

I've also heard good things about this place in Porter: http://www.commonwealthlock.com/

[identity profile] hiddenbear.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
If you can remove the locks for a few hours, you can bring them to any Home Depot / Lowe's, and they'll re-key them. I believe I paid $5 per lock.

[identity profile] clevernonsense.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Best bet is to remove the locks and bring them to a locksmith shop to have them rekeyed (or HD/Lowes, but they screw up a lot). Lots of online tutorials floating around if this seems daunting. You *can* have a locksmith come to your place, but it gets quite pricy in that case (appt fees vary quite a bit, $75-200 for first hour).

We just bought new doors :P

[identity profile] pierceheart.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I had a good experience with Eli of Mr. Locksmith for a lockout from my own home, within the last year or so.

I can't answer the other questions.
Edited 2013-04-02 15:27 (UTC)

[identity profile] ringrose.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Many years ago when we had our house rekeyed we may have used the locksmith with a store front on Mass Ave by Porter Square. Has anyone here had recent experiences with them they'd like to share?

[identity profile] ringrose.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
If you have more than one apartment, I've found having a more complex lock setup is well worth the extra money. Having just one key open both the front door and your apartment (and a different key which opens the same front door and your tenant's apartment, but not yours) is a convenience which will stick around for years.

[identity profile] somervillesnow.livejournal.com 2013-04-02 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
If the locksets are modern/standard, (like the ones that are sold at Home Depot), you can replace yourself with a phillips head screwdriver being the only needed tool.

[identity profile] springhill02143.livejournal.com 2013-04-03 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been using Peter at A-OK Locksmith for years and he's talented and reasonably priced. Comes to your house, can make keys on site, and has great suggestions about security strategies.

Telephone: 617.628.7877

Web: www.a-oklockandsecurity.com

[identity profile] teele-sq.livejournal.com 2013-04-04 10:15 am (UTC)(link)
Screw keys! Get this so you can lock & unlock your doors with your smart phone.

http://www.amazon.com/Yale-YRD220-ZW-ORB-Electronic-Technology-Oil-Rubbed/dp/B005NLKQJG
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