Replacing the locks - yourself?

Has anyone done this?

We got a quote from a locksmith for $1100 to replace the old locks and upgrade a few entry sets 3 new door knob sets and 8 new locks plus a new garage lock, all set to use the same key.

Then we looked online and for the same locks we were quoted $159 we found for $19.99. The site we found them on will set them all to the same key for us. So that makes all of the hardware $400 and we'd have to do the work ourselves.

Anyone done it and have any tips? Is it really that difficult or can we save ourselves $700?

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

$1100? Thats a little insane.

I had a locksmith come to my house... replace four locks on two doors installed with the locks came to $175.

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

WHHHHHAAAA That is highway robbery.

We had all the locks replaced on our doors (front and storage) and new deadbolts for both doors for $116.00 And that included 3 copies of the same key. That was the total price for the labor and the materials.

Message edited 1/9/2006 1:08:00 PM.

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

DH did it....
He said it was pretty easy

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

They might be charging you to actually replace all the locks. All you need for them to do is rekey them all (something to do with changing the cylinder). I might be messing up what it is called but it will make a difference in the price!

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

I did it myself.... It's pretty easy. I got the locks at Lowe's.

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

WE just bought all new hardware/locks ourselves and DH installed them.

We did get a new front door too, and the installer put it in for us along with the door.

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

we bought new locks/door handles at Home Depot and installed ourselves.

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

DH did ours and so far they work!

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

We need to replace all of the door knobs, they are very low quality so we need 4 new key in knob sets, 8 new deadbolts (not just re-keying them) and 2 of them need to be installed from scratch there are no locks in the spots yet. Also the new garage door lock.

I think our quote is so much higher than others because we are completely replacing the locks and doorknobs not just re-keying them.

Thanks for all the input, I think we are going to do it ourselves. Now we can add locksmith to our resumes along with flood remediation expert, home heating techician, and gutter installer.

I NEVER thought we'd be doing this stuff, but I still love being a homeowner!

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

We bought 2 locks for the front and rear doors and 2 dead bolts, and 8 door knobs for the inside doors

My father in law installed the front and rear door locks and 3 of the interior door locks, and I am waiting for him to do the rest - I tried but ti didnt come out that good lol
Scott

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

Dh replaced all the locks himself. It looked relatively easy!

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

we bought new locks from home depot and FH did it himself.. I don't think it's that complicated
$1100 is crazy!!

Re: Replacing the locks - yourself?

I agree that's why we started looking at locks online. We compared a few different kinds. We're willing ot spend more on stronger, higher quality locks but not $1100.