When you're interested in improving the overall security of your home, it's better to visit a locksmith.

Why? Home improvement stores carry a lot of general inventory, and this creates overhead. For you, this means that they only carry items that sell fast so they're not paying for inventory sitting on the shelf. Items that sell fast have to be items that most people need to repair or replace, which means that they have to be common items. Common home locks were likely installed by the builder, who is most interested in installing the product that makes them the most money, and most of the time that's not a very secure product. The picture on the left shows the difference between a heavy duty deadbolt and the one you likely have on your home. Which would you want protecting your house? This is also true of deadbolts, door closers, and other products. High security locks are just not found a home stores.

When you need a key copied, it's better to visit a locksmith shop.

The reasons are simple, selection and accuracy. Unless you have the most common type of key, the home improvement store won't have it and they'll send you to a locksmith. If they do have the key and they make a copy, it may or may not work. ACME Locksmith calibrates our key making machines daily so that the keys we cut have a far better chance of working than that of the home store. The home improvement stores don't do this because they don't have someone in the store that knows how. I can't tell you how many times someone has come into our shop after having keys made elsewhere that didn't work.

When you value your time, it's better to visit a locksmith.

How many times have you been in a home improvement store searching for someone to help you find something or talk knowledgeably about a product you're interested in? Home improvement stores, to their credit, are busy places, but for you this means you're likely going to have to wait for service. A lock shop will have knowledgeable staff on hand to help you right away. And, if you've had bad keys made, or the home store didn't have what you were looking for, you've completely wasted your time.

When you want to save money, hire a locksmith.

Home stores sell products, a locksmith sells a service. Most customers that call us don't know that we can rekey existing home locks to work with new keys. There is no reason to replace your existing door hardware unless you want increased security or you are tired of the way it looks.

If all you want is the cheapest price possible, visit the home improvement store.

Home improvement stores buy in bulk and there's no way a local shop can match their prices on the items they carry. If you have one broken door knob that needs replacing, you're handy with a screwdriver, and security is not a concern; get it at the home store.

This post was from an locally owned and operated AZ locksmith, a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America and BBB. Thank you Acme Locksmith. http://www.acmelocksmith.com/



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