A variety of factors can affect the overall cost of securing your home, from budget, to personal preferences, but in an ideal world, the more you can invest in securing your home, the better protected you’ll be.
Below are some of the most common factors that will determine the overall cost of properly securing your home:
- The type of door lock you choose
Locks have come a long way in recent years, and nowadays, smart locks are a popular choice for many. While they undoubtedly cost more than their traditional, conventional counterparts (and that’s down to the costly technology involved in designing and producing them), many prefer their convenience. That said, since smart locks are always going to be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, there’s a lot to be said for traditional locks such as deadbolts, especially when they’re reinforced and professionally installed by a locksmith. So, you don’t always have to spend a small fortune on locks.
- The door lock’s grade
The grade of door lock system you choose – something which is set by the America National Standard Institute, or ANSI – can play a significant role in determining the cost of your home’s security. Graded according to their strength to withstand both force and the test of time, Grade 1 locks are of a higher quality and cost more than Grade 2 locks. As this is the case, it makes sense to always try and opt for door locks that are a Grade 1, even though they may cost a little more.
- The cost of a locksmith to install your locks
While it is possible to save some money by installing your locks yourself, there’s always the chance that unless you really know what you’re doing (and if you haven’t trained as a locksmith, there’s every chance you won’t), you won’t install them correctly. Not only can this make your home vulnerable, but it can affect your home insurance in the event you try to make a claim. So, it pays to hire a licensed locksmith to fit the locks for you.
- The brand of door lock you choose
Locks with a good reputation (as in, have been endorsed by experts within the industry) tend to be the big brands we all recognize, and as such, they generally cost more. Reputation is important though, and if you want to be able to trust the brand that you use and trust that the lock will protect your home adequately, it usually makes sense to invest a little more in them.
While there are several factors that determine how much you’ll spend on securing your home, of course the amount you choose to spend, is entirely up to you. Locksmiths typically recommend products that have a good reputation for doing what their supposed to do: protect your home, and by default, those products are usually more expensive than their less effective counterparts.
