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Using a combination of tools (often store-bought plumbing tools) and brute force, a burglar can easily snap the lock on a door. Snapping a lock aims to gain access to the cylinder inside, which holds the locking mechanism. Once the thief snaps the lock, they can pick the cylinder open and walk right in.

Expect to pay between $50 to $200 if you hire a locksmith to change your locks. That figure includes labor and the cost of basic hardware. The cost will naturally be higher if you plan to install more expensive locks, like smart locks, and if you need a lot of them.

Homeowners can save money by replacing locks themselves. A typical rekeying kit costs about $10 to $25. The only additional cost is purchasing new house keys, and those are no more than a few dollars per key. If you want to replace the locks on your own completely, the main cost is the price of the locks themselves. A standard knob-style lock starts around $25, while electronic locks and smart locks will run in the hundreds of dollars. The only additional tools you should need are a tape measure, screwdriver, and screws if they are not already provided.

Newer, electric-powered door locks generally have a life span of five years or less. That’s thanks, in large part, to a phenomenon called planned obsolescence, in which products are programmed to need replacing after a certain amount of time. That’s also why older, manual, push-key locksets can last up to 30 years with regular cleanings and maintenance. When it does come time for a new set-up, know that the cost to change locks ranges from $130 to $500 on average.

Thieves can open almost anything with enough time and the right tools, but they also prefer easy targets that are unlikely to get them caught. Forcing open gates is loud and difficult, and to be able to open one electronically requires extensive knowledge of the system, which most thieves don't have. Electric and other security gates are great deterrents because the thief will move to an easier target. If the thief is determined to enter your property, they will most likely find a different entrance point.