Changing Your Locks for Greater Security in The Villages, FL

With its wide-ranging neighborhoods, commercial centers, and town squares, The Villages spans three counties in central Florida and is quite unique among communities, being a golf cart-based community where residents spend a majority of their days out and about. But for a community of such large scope, lock change needs never cease, and 352 Locksmiths sees its fair share of lock changes from homeowners and business operators alike. Below, learn more about the value of changing locks and when it may be the right move.

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Lock Changes vs. Rekeys – What’s the Difference?

Before you begin considering whether you should have your locks changed or not, it may be helpful to understand the difference between a lock change and a rekey. Though there are some important similarities between the two processes, there are significant differences in what they accomplish, and each has its place depending upon your needs.

Rekeying involves keeping your current lock hardware in place while adjusting the pins and tumbler inside of the lock so that only newly created keys will work. As you can imagine, rekeying is both faster and less costly than changing your entire lock, and is recommended if your existing lock hardware is still in good working condition.

At 352 Locksmiths, we perform lock changes and rekeys alike, and can help advise you as to which option will serve you best based on your unique needs, rather than upselling you on a lock change.

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Homeowners’ Needs That May Be Addressed With a Lock Change

Changing Into a New Villa or House.
Perhaps the most common instance in which a lock change becomes necessary for The Villages’ homeowners occurs when they move into a new home. Because The Villages enjoys a relatively active resale market, many people may own the home previously or have given keys to friends and family, leaving a home vulnerable to theft until it’s completely secured through a lock change.
Desiring a Higher Standard of Locks Than Provided by Homebuilders.** Sometimes, homeowners choose to install higher-quality locks, either because they were not satisfied with what came in the home initially or because they are simply seeking added security. At 352 Locksmiths, many of our customers choose to install high-security deadbolts in their entry doors.
Worn or Corroded Lock Hardware.
Florida weather conditions take a significant toll on lock hardware, particularly those located outside the home. Moisture, salty conditions, and excessive usage may lead to wear, difficulty turning, and an overall aged appearance that can compromise the security and function of your home’s locks. Locks that are not performing well or have deteriorated in appearance may need to be replaced.
Installing a Smart Lock.
A relatively newer trend in security technology is that of the keypad or smart lock system. With smart locks, you can give different combinations of numbers to your children, guests, and house cleaners to allow them entry to your home without providing keys. Since installing a smart lock requires the removal of your current lock hardware, a lock change is required.

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Needs That Make a Business Lock Change Appropriate

Acquiring a Business That Uses Existing Locks.
Another scenario in which lock changes occur frequently is when a person takes over ownership or control of a commercial property that previously belonged to someone else. Much like homeowners taking control of a new home, a lock change will help ensure the safety of the new business owner by eliminating unnecessary keys to the establishment.
Requiring Commercial Grade Hardware.
Sometimes, small businesses may open for business using their existing residential lock systems. However, this is never ideal, as these locks are meant for much lighter usage than businesses require and are not as sturdy as commercial locks. At 352 Locksmiths, upgrading your locks to commercial grade locks is possible.
Experiencing a Break-In.
After your business is burglarized, the locks used to access your property should be upgraded for greater security. In some cases, it might be necessary to undergo a complete lock change rather than to merely rekey the locks after a break-in or burglary attempt, especially when the lock itself becomes damaged.
Creating a Master Key System for Your Business.
Many of our customers at 352 Locksmiths request the installation of a master key system to provide various levels of security to different parts of your business. In order to do this, a lock change becomes necessary, especially for those areas lacking a lock currently. We can install master lock systems for your business as needed.

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What to Expect From a Lock Change

As you may expect, a lock change performed by 352 Locksmiths will entail the following procedures:

We’ll first assess your current lock hardware and what kind of upgrade is desired, whether a straight replacement or a change to high-security models, for example.
Our locksmiths carry plenty of standard lock hardware with us on service calls, meaning that the lock change can usually be completed on a single trip to your residence.
Depending on your residence or business, we’ll be sure to install locks in all appropriate locations, including front, back, and side entry doors, garage entry points, and others.
When the new locks have been installed, we’ll check to make sure they operate properly, that keys turn easily without forcing, that strike plates are correctly positioned, and so forth. We will also set all newly installed locks to operate using the same key.

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Contact 352 Locksmiths for Professional Lock Services

352 Locksmiths proudly serves The Villages and the surrounding area in the installation of lock changes and other professional lock needs. If you’re a homeowner or business operator that needs to have locks replaced, call us today! We guarantee fast service at reasonable prices, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today!