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Original poster

Where is the freaking key? What to do otherwise?

17 replies

angel1976 · 04/03/2009 21:24

Hi all,

Stupid is as stupid does and I know that is a stupid thing to do on hindsight but anyway, it's done, can anyone advise what to do? Or any psychics out there?

When we move into our house (2 years ago now), all the keys to some of the doors came in one bunch i.e. 3 keys that open the door to the garden on one bunch. I know we should have taken the keys out and separated them but we didn't and now the bunch that opens the damn door to the garden is lost. So we can't get out into the garden. Not a big problem right now but will be a BIG problem in summer... Short of getting a locksmith in and spending copious amounts of money getting the locks changed (does anyone have any idea how much?), is there anything else I can do? I.e. Will the company that built these houses (about 6 years old) have copies of keys? There is no window access so we are properly buggered basically. This is a very new UPVC type door. The last time I saw the keys was probably in Sept/Oct when FIL put up a curtain pole (that goes over the very same door).

Am pretty sure keys are still in the house as we NEVER lock it from the outside. But cannot find them anywhere. But also have a very mischievous son who could be responsible but he just turned one so can't be THAT clever. Any psychics out there? Actually, let's have a sweepstakes, a tenner for anyone who can suggest where these keys may be hiding... Thanks.

Ax

OP posts:
27T · 04/03/2009 21:38

A locksmith will be able to open it for you and then make a key for the lock that's there. Use a local locksmith and not one of these 24 hour emergency numbers. Should cost around £50 - £60.

Original poster
angel1976 · 04/03/2009 21:43

Really? So I don't have to change the locks? I was really panicking at having to fork out hundreds to change the lock. I will love you forever if what you are saying it true. DH and I are really stupid when it comes to DIY matters....

OP posts:
hellymelly · 04/03/2009 21:46

Kitchen drawer or under cabinet/washing machine? Although I agree with the above about the locksmith,don't think it is a horrendously expensive thing to get sorted.Good luck!

Original poster
angel1976 · 04/03/2009 21:49

Hellymelly - Checked the washing machine... Not there. I will check kitchen drawer and behind kitchen drawer (things seem to go missing behind there a lot!) tomorrow. Cabinets in the living room touch the floor, no legs, so can't be under there though it could be amongst the millions of cables we seem to have gathered behind there. Will look tomorrow. If you are right, a tenner is coming your way. Though I do feel slightly less panicky at the prospect of paying £50 for a locksmith than £500!

OP posts:
27T · 04/03/2009 21:52

If it is a yale style lock it may be cheaper (i.e. quicker) to just replace the barrel once he has got it open. If it's a chubb then it'll probably be cheaper to make a new key.

Ring a local locksmith - describe the problem, describe the lock and ask for a ball park figure to sort it. I hate to say it but it may be better if your husband makes the call. Some tradesman still think that they charge women any number that comes into their heads!!

Original poster
angel1976 · 04/03/2009 22:04

The brand is MILA. I just did a search for them and it has come up with all sorts of options. How do I know how many point lock it is etc? It's one of those doors that you have to push the handle up to lock it iykwim...

Thanks for your advice 27T. DH is so lazy busy though. Oh well, I will make him pay for this if he doesn't make the call! LOL!

OP posts:
27T · 04/03/2009 22:25

He will also want to know whether the keyhole looks flat and thin like the yale keyhole in your front door or is it a "traditional" keyhole shape.

Don't worry. You won't need a new door and it won't cost hundreds.

Original poster
angel1976 · 05/03/2009 12:46

Argh, just made a few calls and it does look like it will cost over a hundred pounds (for labour and parts)! What's frustrating is that I am convinced I am going to find those keys sooner or later cos they have to be in the house as the door is locked!

OP posts:
27T · 05/03/2009 13:16

You must be in the London area as that sounds expensive.

If I had the problem I would cut the bolt using a 1mm disc in an angle grinder. I could then open the door and remove the old lock and replace it with a new one.

None of this is helpful if you and DH are not "handy". I'm in Chester so that's probably not helpful either - and I always advise against actually meeting people you contact on the net, especially men (and I'm a man).

You are right - it will turn up a few days after you have it sorted. But at least it's not £500 or a new door as you first thought. The good garden weather isn't here for a couple of months so you could save up for it.

Original poster
angel1976 · 05/03/2009 16:14

Yes, in South-east London. I guess it is not as bad as I thought it would be. I think it will be about £125 in total if I opt for the option of having an all-inclusive job as opposed to labour time + parts.

Do have quite a few friends in the building trade and might put the word around to see if they could suggest someone who will come and do the job as a favour (and us paying of course but just knowing that we are not ripped off will be good enough!). Thanks for your advice 27T!

OP posts:
Bramshott · 05/03/2009 16:20

Your FIL hasn't gone off with them after he put the curtain pole up has he? Or put them wherever jeys live in his house?

Bramshott · 05/03/2009 16:20

Your FIL hasn't gone off with them after he put the curtain pole up has he? Or put them wherever jeys live in his house?

Bramshott · 05/03/2009 16:21

Oops! And obviously that was keys, not jeys!

DaisyMooSteiner · 05/03/2009 16:33

We lost our back door key last Christmas. It eventually turned up at Easter but fortunately I was too tight hadn't yet called a locksmith, so it didn't cost us anything!

Original poster
angel1976 · 05/03/2009 20:47

I did think about FIL having the keys in his toolbox but haven't wanted to ask but I am too embarrassed! But I guess I just have to do it if I want to make sure I don't waste the money... A tenner your way if you are right! ;)

I know, I know... The moment I get the locksmith in, the bloody keys will turn up but what can I do??? There isn't a window or anything so it's not as we can open those instead to get some fresh air when the weather's nice! Thanks all for your suggestions...

OP posts:
Original poster
angel1976 · 08/03/2009 13:21

Oh my goodness, I found THE key!

I told my lovely neighbour the story and she said she would come over on Sunday morning to look for the key with me. We started looking behind the TV cabinet. Looked into a display cabinet we have in the living room. Took everything out of it... And for some strange reason, I decided to take a look into... and found it there! And the place was...

MY DH'S BRIEFCASE!!!!

It was sitting next the cabinet and for some strange reason I never felt compelled to do before, I looked in there and it was in one of the pockets! It must have fallen into it when we used to have it in the drawer... I am so grateful to my neighbour, she said she didn't do anything and I found the key but it was her who came over so I actually felt compelled to properly look for the keys... Have now separated the bunch and opened the garden day on such a lovely day. Too bad no one won the tenner... I would have been than happy to pay it!

OP posts:
Bramshott · 11/03/2009 09:55

Hurray! That's great news!

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