Need help - pictures of specific lock I'm trying to pick

[dominogold]

I understand, I guess we differ on our views. Homeowners break into their own homes all the time to check on the progress. It's pretty common, actually. I used to sneak in through the egress window, but that's been locked now as well.

I simply do not have the time to be out there during the day due to my work. I can only stop out after work.

[MrB]

Have you retained a real estate attorney for this transaction?

As you no doubt know, you are an equal party to the contract and closing requires the consent of both parties. Subject to whatever conditions are in the contract, you don't have to jump to the builders tune and close just because he says its time. I think you really need the support of your attorney here. From what you have described, it seems like the builder is trying to take advantage of you. He is bargaining on the fact that his defective work will be treated as too insubstantial a problem to delay closing and you will then have to argue for him to fix it after the event, in which case you will be getting the runaround with no bargaining power left.

The way you speak, you are aware of this. I think you need your lawyer to start explaining things to the contractor.

[MrB]

On picking the lock: picking locks isn't trivial, even though it may be trivial for many of the old hands here. I have picked a door lock with a bent paperclip, but it took a bunch of time and fiddling around until I got it to open. There is a world of difference between sitting in the comfort of your living room and fiddling with a lock until it opens, and going up to a real lock on a door outside, stooping down and asking it to open on your command.

There really isn't a cheap and simple tool you can wave at a lock to open it like a magic wand. An electric pick gun might do that for you, but they are not cheap and are not sold in Home Depot (as far as I know).

To pick your particular lock you need proper tools as described in this forum and some practice. It might give you some personal satisfaction to do so, but is it really what will serve you best?

[hung82000]

The general consensus here seems to be that you'd be better off going through a lawyer or some other route other than picking. If you're intent on picking, there are many books that can teach you, but as was stated it takes time, it takes practice, and it takes a little luck as well. I can't speak for everyone, but I would most definitely advise that you exhaust all other options before you go so far as to pick your way into the house.

One other thing to consider. I would assume in the contract there is a clause that allows either party to exit the contract early. It sounds like you would be much better with a different contractor, one who will work with you instead of around you.

[Buggs41]

Does your city have an electrical inspector?

With the missing switches, and conveniece outlets, I highly doubt the inspector will pass on this building. The NEC ( National Electrical Code ) has rules as to how many outlets are needed, and thier placement. Also included are rules for which spaces need light switches, and their placement.

So, I wonder. Is the general contractor doing the electrical work? If so, is the person doing the work a licensed ( Journeyman ) electrician. If not, they have better sub out a licensed electrician.

[dominogold]

I understand all of your thoughts. They make sense. However...

I'm not sure where you all live and what it's like around there, but let me tell you that if you want to build a house where I live it is the builder's way or the highway. You have to sign away all of your rights, and that is that. You should see the contract you have to sign if you want to build a house *anywhere* around here -- not just with this builder. Zero rights for the homebuyer, completely protecting the builder. That is just the way it is if you want to build around here. If I back out of the contract, the builder keeps $20,000 of my money and resells my house to someone else as stated in the contract. They will gladly show you the door while the next fool walks in and signs on the line right behind you. They will not change the wording in the contract. I do have a realtor, but they generally can't do anything nor can a lawyer because the 35 page contract has everything written out clearly in it.

In the electrical case I mentioned here, I had to call the chief of the city's inspectors and get them involved. After hearing my case he called the builder and threatened to not pass the inspection if they did not correct it. Only because of this did I get the missing outlets/switches added. A realtor/laywer/anything else would have done nothing.... but they can't close on the house without the inspection.

Quite honestly, overall they are doing a decent job. I've only had a few things that I've had them correct or change, but my point is that if I don't find these things early on then it will be too late to fix them, and I can't take off work to be there all the time.

Regardless, I figured out that a quick slip of the credit card pops the door right open. How about that.... kind of scary easy, actually.

[Chucklz]

Don't use your credit card, you may want that thing eventually. I suggest you buy a gallon of milk. From there, im sure you can figure it out.

[Varjeal]

I understand your plight, and wish you the best of luck in your endeavour. Can't really think of much more to say other than perhaps trying a manual pick gun may quicken your process. Have a read around to see how they work.

[TOWCH]

You could give impressioning a shot. Then again, if you're going to bother with hand filing a key you might as well save yourself the guess work and just take it apart and measure the pins. You could also take it apart and remove all but one pin stack and make picking the lock as easy as using a key. The contractors key would still work but it would only take seconds to pick, even with nothing but a paperclip.

[Cat]

Anyway, putting all the second guessing aside...

Any typical lock picking guides, the MIT guide, a decent lock picking set, or some tools made by yourself, will work on this lock. Learn the basics and you will pick this lock.

[dominogold]

Don't use your credit card, you may want that thing eventually. I suggest you buy a gallon of milk. From there, im sure you can figure it out.

I never thought of that. So you're suggesting cutting up a gallon of milk and using that instead? Interesting... it doesn't seem thick or strong enough to pull it off....

Eventually I do want to learn how to pick, regardless, I'm definitely a puzzle solver and to me this is another puzzle I haven't solved!

Thanks all for your advice and good conversation. Half the time they forget to lock the house up anyway.

[alias]

So you're suggesting cutting up a gallon of milk and using that instead?

I think you're reading too much into it. I think what Chucklz was suggesting was to buy a gallon of milk and give it to the builder as a sign of goodwill. This should 'break the ice' so to speak and then they'll let you inspect whenever you want.

That's right yeah Chucklz?

[thertel]

I think "Milk" was code for Six-Pack, aka performance enhancers.

Thomas

[quicklocks]

ok get a locksmith to open the lock then replace the lock with another whitch you have a key for then send the bill to the contractor imforming him that due to the fact he wont let you into your own property he has to pay the bill give him a key and his old lock back then you cannot be done for theft then say to him if the lock is changed or access is once again denied then the cost of gaining access will be taken off the final payment for the job..
he sounds like a bloody bodger to me and doesnt want you to see how incompitent he or the people he is using are. i would have kicked him off the job as soon as the lock was fitted and he denied me entry

[dominogold]

Hahah, I already gave the guy a $75 gift certificate to his favorite sporting goods store. A lot of good that did me.