Why We Often Recommend Homeowners Buy Their Own Lock Hardware
When a homeowner calls Texas Master Locksmiths about replacing door hardware, our recommendation sometimes surprises them: buy the new locks yourself, and let us help you choose the right ones before you purchase.
We make that recommendation because you should have the style and finish you want at a price that makes sense for you. Our role is to help you avoid an incompatible purchase and install the hardware properly.
You have more choices when you shop.
Your front door is part of your home’s appearance. You may want a particular color, finish, handle style, or set of features. Home improvement stores and other retailers offer a wider selection of residential hardware than we can reasonably carry in our service vehicles.
Buying your own hardware lets you compare those options and choose what looks and feels right in your home.
Retailers can offer prices we cannot match.
Home Depot and Lowe’s buy and sell residential locks at a scale we cannot compete with on hardware price. We would rather be straightforward about that than ask you to pay more for a lock you could purchase yourself.
You can buy the hardware that fits your budget and hire Texas Master Locksmiths to install it.
Text us photos before you buy.
You do not have to guess what will work with your doors. Tell us what you want to change, and we will ask you to text us photos of your existing doors and hardware. We review those photos and recommend what to purchase based on what you have and what you want to accomplish.
We do not charge for reviewing those photos and making recommendations. This part of our process happens remotely; we do not come to your home to make the initial recommendation. If a detail cannot be confirmed from the photos, we will tell you what else we need to know before you buy.
Tell us if you want your doors to use the same key
If you want several doors to work with one key, let us know before purchasing new locks. Different brands and keyways are not always compatible for rekeying, even when the locks look similar.
As we review your photos, we consider whether the hardware you are choosing can be rekeyed to work with your existing locks. That helps you avoid buying a new lock only to discover that you now need another key. Whether everything can use one key depends on the hardware you already have and what you choose to purchase.
Get the look you want and a plan for your keys
Choose the residential hardware you like at a retailer that works for your budget. Before you buy, text Texas Master Locksmiths at 972-914-9446 the photos we request and tell us what you want your doors and keys to do. We can recommend suitable options at no charge, then professionally install and rekey the hardware as needed.
Quality First means helping you make a good decision before the new lock ever goes on your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pictures do you need before recommending a new lock?
Please text us clear pictures of both the inside and outside of the lock, plus a picture of the edge of the door where the latch is located. If you want to replace hardware on more than one door, send those views for each door. We may request another photo or a measurement if we need to confirm a detail before making a recommendation.
Do you charge to review my photos and recommend hardware?
No. We review the photos you text us and recommend what to purchase at no charge. We do this remotely, so you do not need an on-site appointment for the initial recommendation. Installation and any rekeying are separate services.
Can my new lock use the same key as my other doors?
Possibly. It depends on the brands, keyways, and hardware involved. Tell us that you want one key before you buy, and we will consider rekeying compatibility when making our recommendation.
Do I have to buy my lock from Home Depot or Lowe’s?
No. You can shop wherever you prefer. We mention those stores because they offer a broad selection of residential styles and finishes at retail prices we cannot match. Text us the photos of your existing hardware and let us know which lock you are considering so we can help you check compatibility before you purchase.
