What to do AFTER a Destructive Entry?

[Anavaree]

So I was wondering, If you need to DE a lock, and your company is not setup to replace the lock, what do you do?
So far I havent had to de a lock yet and i am primarily just a lockout business, so i am not set up with a bunch of spare parts or differing locks.
Should I turn down the job or tell the customer that the lock is damaged beyond use and needs to be destroyed, drill it, and leave them to have it replaced? If i drill it, is it my responsibility to replace it or just provide the access service I advertise?
Any advice?

[gibson]

Usually the client should be advised that your fee is to get them in the door. Not every lock can be picked in a timely fashion, and you might have to resort to the 'rotary pick'. (it kills me every time i have to use it, it's like the lock won, you know, but sometimes the marshall present at an eviction is not interested in your picking abilities). i always have a cheapo knobset, deadbolt, rim lock, and mortise cylinder in case I have to DE a clients lock. A padlock and hasp are also very convenient things to have in your gear.

[lunchb0x]

Personally I think it is your responsibility to leave the place secure, IF you have to damage the lock to gain entry you should have a small range of locks to replace it with, if I had someone come out to let me in, damage my lock and then tell me I had to get someone else out to fix it then they wouldn't be getting any money out of me.

It would only be a couple of times each year that I will have to damage a lock to gain entry (and I do a fair few in a year) if I can't get it because there is something wrong with the lock advise them the cost of a new one before doing anything,if it's because for what eveer reason I suck that day and can't pick it I normally have a second hand cylinder in the car I will just swap it over with for free.

Remember though, there is always more than one way to do the job, if you can't get the front door try the back, I have even climbed up balcony's to get to a back door to get in

[cledry]

You probably shouldn't be doing lockouts until you stock a few cylinders, knobs, deadbolts etc. It isn't professional or ethical to leave a property unsecured. You could probably buy enough stock to handle all standard situations for under $200.

A SFIC core with a few keys and a control key.
1 1/8" mortise cylinder a few different cams.
A cheapo kwikset knob.
A few cylinders for commercial levers and deadbolts (same cylinder)
A rim cylinder.
A cheapo Kwikset deadbolt

Keep in mind sometimes the lockout will be caused by a lock malfunction, so if you can add an entry function grade 2 lever to the above and a few bolts and latches you should be equipped to handle most situations in the US.

Keep in mind you don't need to have the same keyway or color lock but if you can replace like for like your customer will be happier.

[Anavaree]

I had a similiar thought about the while situation regarding leaving the building secure. This is why I was asking, getting advice from fellows in the business. Just what I was looking for.
I have a small inventory of various locksets, including SFIC, deadbolts and entry ways, I just havent had to DE yet and i wanted some input from otheres. Most of the time i am doing auto lockouts and DE wont be necessary.
Thanks for the advice, Ill put it to use soon.
~Jesse

[maintenanceguy]

Upsell - you can make money on more then just the lockout.

Make sure the customer understands that you have several different methods you can use to gain entrance and you will start with the least destructive and least costly but not every method works every time. There is a possibility you may end up needing to damage their lock. Even if that happens, you're a professional and will do so in the least destructive and most cost effective manner but there may be additional cost for parts and labor to maek repairs.

Then, If you have to damage a lock, replacing the lock or cylinder is a billable repair. That's how your plumber, electrician, carpenter, and HVAC company would handle the job.

Stock parts and a few common locksets. Probably a few hundred dollars in cylinders and parts and an additional $500 USD in locksets will cover 80% of the situations you'll run across.

Have nice brochures of the locksets and security features you can provide to your customer if they want something nicer than basic and you'll have to run to the supply house for the part, just like every other trade that stocks most but not all the parts they might need. Bill the customer for the labor and a fair markup on materials, Your parts house should be giving you a contractor's discount and you can mark up the parts, typically 100% for the mid priced stuff and much more for a screw, cylinder collar, etc.

[minifhncc]

If it's something like a Bilock or an Ablody that needs to be drilled, then there are often other ways of getting in without damaging the cylinder. But I don't think these methods are allowed to be discussed here...

[2octops]

It's pretty simple actually.

Put yourself in your customers place for a minute. If you called someone out to unlock your door and they damaged the lock or door while trying to get it open, wouldn't you expect them to pay for the repair?

It's rare that we ever drill a lock. There is almost always another way.

BUT there are times when it is the only way. When that happens, then be prepared to replace it with something comparable or better than what was there when you arrived. Also be prepared to key it up to match their existing key.

Don't forget to carry a broom and dustpan to clean your mess up. Nobody likes metal shavings in their feet or tracked across their floor. Make it a personal goal to leave every job cleaner than it was when you arrived. People will remember that more than almost anything else.