Advice on getting locks changed

[FrustratinglyIrrational]

This is probably a silly question, but I'm completing on my first ever property next week, and one of the items on my long list of things I've never had to do before is change the locks when I move in, and I'm not sure exactly how to go about this. From browsing previous threads, it sounds as if the only thing that needs doing is replacing the barrel of the lock, i.e. the bit the key fits into. Is this correct? Is this something I can easily do myself, or would I be wise to pay a locksmith to do it? And how much should I be expecting to pay (in north London)? Recommendations for good (sensibly priced...) tradespeople welcome!

I've attached a photo of the lock, in case that makes a difference.

I've also just read this thing about "rekeying", which doesn't involve swapping out any parts, and sounds like it might be a lot cheaper: www.frontrangelocksmith.com/blog/rekey-vs-changing-your-locks-front-range-locksmith/

Also, in case it matters, the lock is an "Ultion", which as far as I can tell has some special security measures included, but I don't know how this affects the changing/rekeying process.

Plenty of info on YouTube. It's easy and takes about 5 mins. Insert key then remove screw from side of lock on door edge. Turn key slightly and push lock barrel out. Buy an identical eplacement and refit.

We had Ultion lock barrels fitted by a locksmith a few years ago in three external doors as well as having some sash jammers on the ground floor windows and it all came to about £220 but this was in Yorkshire.

This might make me odd, but I've never changed the locks on any place I have bought. Is it really necessary?

@NetballHoop

This might make me odd, but I've never changed the locks on any place I have bought. Is it really necessary?

You never know who has keys to your new home

@NetballHoop

This might make me odd, but I've never changed the locks on any place I have bought. Is it really necessary?

Yes not just the previous owner could have a key but a cleaner, a work person, always get the locks changed.

My friend's first house, 2 weeks after she moved in the previous owner was ridiculously drunk, forgot he had moved house and let himself in. He stopped in the hall way very puzzled about why there were women's hand bags hung up on the coat rack. She came downstairs at 2 in the morning to see what the noise was. Luckily she actually knew him from before she bought his house. He had moved 2 streets away to move in with his girlfriend. He handed over his key that night.

Dead easy to replace the barrel of a lock, YouTube has lots of videos showing you how.

We never really thought about doing it when we moved in to the two houses we have bought but I guess we're trusting types. I suppose if the house was previously rented out / had a succession of owners it might be wise.

A halfway measure that my friend did when she moved in to her house is to swap the front and backdoor locks over - that way anyone who has a key wont be able to get in but they didnt have to faff around getting new locks and keys cut etc. Obviously this only works if front and back doors have the same lock type.

In my experience of locksmiths when we had a snapped key its around £150-200 ish for the call out and replacement and takes very little time (15 mins or so). I would have thought it would be easy to do yourself if you have full access - just check what size lock barrel you need and then get it from B&Q or whereever.

Yes it is dead easy. 2 mins job really

I changed ours myself on our first day, was quite proud of myself! Had to measure the locks, pop to B&Q, then follow YouTube instructions. All quite satisfying really.

Haha omg I've never done this! I feel stupid now!

I measured, ordered and fitted new barrels. Honestly, it's a doddle to do.

It really is easy. YouTube the name of the lock and watch how to do it. If worried about buying the wrong replacement .. take it out when someone is home and take the original lock to the locksmiths so they can see which one to give you.

Seriously, really easy to do.

Has anyone had their lock "rekeyed", rather than changing the barrel?

My friend didn’t change the locks on her house and it had been empty for a while before they moved in.

They were woken up in the middle of the night a few days after they moved in by their dog going crazy and they could hear footsteps. No evidence of any forced entry was found and it was all fine, but they strongly suspect that a neighbours son (or friend of his) with a known drug problem probably had a key or knew where the key was hidden and came to retrieve his stash or hang out in the empty house.

Definitely why you should change the locks asap

Just had a quick look at ultion and I think your best bet is to contact their customer service to ask. It doesn't look like they'd be easy to re-key(that's for a traditional lock) and the extra security features might activate if you try to change the barrel without knowing exactly what you're doing.

They look like really good locks.