"The locksmith was terrific. He was very knowledgeable and could give his professional opinion and sound advice, which was welcomed. He was not pushy about his advice, but we accepted it and moved forward with his recommendations. I would recommend him to my family and friends and call him back for my future locksmith needs."
"First of all Overall builders was one of the best companys I have ever hired to do work at my home. Robert is one of the best there is out there. Not only did he do everything we wished for in our kitchen, he also completed the job earlier then expected. He will be back as soon as my wife gets her vision for the bathroom. I would give an A+ if I could thanks again Robert your company is truly one of the best!!!!"
"They got my sliding door and lock to work after a previous locksmith told me the door would have to come off and that the lock needed replacement. It was a matter of a few adjustments, so I think their understanding of locks and sliding doors together really helps."
"I called Alarm Protection Group AFTER my office was burglarized. Now I feel SAFE. William is great to work with. He's neat and tidy, prompt, presentable - not a butt-crack type of guy, and he doesn't leave a mess in his wake. He's also knowledgeable about the equipment and only uses high-quality products."
"They replaced the paneling between the floor and wall very quickly a bought the part for it. They fixed my closet doors very quickly. They initially quoted me a higher price for the closet door repair of $450. They countered down to $350 and ultimately negotiated down to $180."
"ADT is the best company to talk to in terms of security alarm. Being a locksmith myself I know how important it is to deal with the right people. I referred a lot of customers to them and so far they are happy with their service. I myself got one for my house. Thank you for a consistent service and great deal."
"I hired these gentlemen to replace damaged drywall, trim and paint from a backup we experienced last September. They worked around our schedule and made the process very easy. The craftsmanship is top notch. They took suggestions and recommendations gracefully. They constantly asked questions about what I needed and made sure I was happy with their work as it progressed. They are of the highest quality and caliber."
"Jose took on a difficult task of creating two cabinet doors to match existing doors in paint and pattern. He was always on time and kept us in the loop for any delays etc. We are so happy. And Jose is a wonderful person to boot. Here are before and after photos:"
"The handyman, Paul, was punctual, professional and did quality work. He replaced the small section of my wood soffit that had water damage with new wood, painted it and caulked. He cleaned up the area when he was done. Paul also re-secured several of my window shutters that had loose screws. He spray painted the screw caps to match the color of my shutters."
Smart deadbolts are a worthwhile investment for homeowners seeking more convenience, flexibility, and advanced features than a traditional deadbolt can provide. While a strong conventional deadbolt offers sufficient security for most, smart deadbolts provide significant upgrades.
Key benefits include keyless entry via smartphone, keypads, or biometric sensors, and the ability to lock or unlock your door remotely. You can also manage access for guests by creating temporary codes, eliminating the need for physical keys and the risk of them being lost or duplicated. Many models integrate with smart home systems and offer features like automatic locking, entry-exit monitoring, and tamper alerts with encryption for enhanced security.
However, there are downsides to consider. Smart deadbolts are more expensive than their traditional counterparts and rely on batteries and wireless networks to function. This dependency introduces potential vulnerabilities, such as hacking by skilled intruders and privacy concerns. Installation can also be more complex. Despite these drawbacks, the added layer of convenience and protection makes them a compelling option for many.
One of the best tools for removing a stripped bolt is a handy pair of locking pliers. Locking pliers can usually grip onto screws with a broken, rounded, or stripped head and lock in place so that you can loosen even the most stubborn bolt that would otherwise remain hopelessly jammed.
Rekeying a lock changes the internal mechanism so that a new key works, while replacing a lock involves swapping out the entire hardware. Rekeying is a good, cost-effective option when you want to ensure old keys no longer work, such as after moving into a new home or losing a key. It's also ideal if you want to keep your existing lock hardware. You should opt to replace the locks entirely if you want to upgrade to a more secure or different style of lock, if the current lock is old or damaged, after a break-in, or if too many copies of the old key exist.
The best type of deadbolt depends on your specific needs. If accessibility is your primary concern, a single-cylinder deadbolt is the easiest to operate. Mortise locks are likely the most secure type of deadbolt you can install, but single-cylinders combined with secondary locking mechanisms like vertical locks are also a great option. Smart locks will give you the most flexibility to open and close your locks whenever and wherever you need to.
Door locks should be changed roughly every seven years. The average lifespan of a door lock is seven to 10 years, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and change them early, especially if they are showing signs of wear and tear. Examples of deterioration include visible rust and difficulty opening or closing the door. Some locks can work safely beyond 10 years, but it depends on how often they are used and whether they are exposed to damaging environmental conditions like precipitation or extreme temperatures.
The Highland Park, IL homeowners’ guide to locksmith services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how much a locksmith costs? Discover locksmith prices, key cost factors, and tips to save on home lockout, rekeying, and installation services.
Locked out of your house or dealing with broken hardware? Learn about locksmith costs, warning signs of failing locks, and how to hire the right local pro.
No one wants to get locked out, and locksmith scams make the situation even more unpleasant. You can find legitimate locksmiths by checking things like their phone number, car, and prices. Find out how to pick reputable locksmith companies here.
