Hi Guys,
We recently got a locksmith to change the nightlatch on our door. He fitted an ERA night latch, BS standard, charged about 110 for the latch and 90 for labour (so about 200 in all). I dont know what came over me, Im usually shrewd enough to check prices on the net for the latch, and do labour costs.
Anyway, it wasnt a very good job, and these guys are cowboys. They used this wood hardening stuff, which is apparenty the norm, but it was still soft 3 months later. I tried to complain, and found they werent members of master locksmiths.
After a while, the door became increasingly difficult to close - have to slam the thing - the bit that goes in and out had become less springy or something. I asked a "master locksmith" locksmith to take a look. He said that ERA locks arent very good. I asked him what he uses and he said a Yale No 1. I said it isnt BS - he said it wont matter, and that house insurance doesnt insist on nightlatch being BS. He also said that the job was quite poor, and the wood hardener stuff wasnt properly set. He did say when done properly, this wood hardening stuff is much stronger than wood!
So anyway, I bought the lock and asked him if he would fit it.
He said he would be very happy to, but he isn't a carpenter so he wont do any sanding or making good, etc.
Which basically beggars the question then - for a night latch fit, is it better to get a good carpenter? Thanks.
We recently got a locksmith to change the nightlatch on our door. He fitted an ERA night latch, BS standard, charged about 110 for the latch and 90 for labour (so about 200 in all). I dont know what came over me, Im usually shrewd enough to check prices on the net for the latch, and do labour costs.
Anyway, it wasnt a very good job, and these guys are cowboys. They used this wood hardening stuff, which is apparenty the norm, but it was still soft 3 months later. I tried to complain, and found they werent members of master locksmiths.
After a while, the door became increasingly difficult to close - have to slam the thing - the bit that goes in and out had become less springy or something. I asked a "master locksmith" locksmith to take a look. He said that ERA locks arent very good. I asked him what he uses and he said a Yale No 1. I said it isnt BS - he said it wont matter, and that house insurance doesnt insist on nightlatch being BS. He also said that the job was quite poor, and the wood hardener stuff wasnt properly set. He did say when done properly, this wood hardening stuff is much stronger than wood!
So anyway, I bought the lock and asked him if he would fit it.
He said he would be very happy to, but he isn't a carpenter so he wont do any sanding or making good, etc.
Which basically beggars the question then - for a night latch fit, is it better to get a good carpenter? Thanks.
.
