Preparing for a Commercial Lock Appointment: A Checklist

Commercial lock work usually involves more doors, more people, and more rules than a residential job. A storefront, an office suite, a warehouse, and a medical practice each have different hardware and different constraints. Preparing ahead helps the visit stay focused and helps the estimate reflect the real scope of the work.

Start with the goal

Be clear about what you're trying to accomplish. Common reasons businesses look for commercial locksmith work include:

• Rekeying after an employee, tenant, or contractor leaves with a key
• Setting up a master key system so managers can open many doors while staff open only some
• Keying several doors alike
• Replacing worn or failing hardware
• Repairing a door that doesn't latch or lock reliably
• Adding keypad or electronic access to a door
• Getting better control over who has keys

One sentence summarizing the goal gives the estimate a clear starting point.

Confirm who can authorize the work

Commercial properties often have several parties with a stake in the doors: the business owner, the property owner, a property manager, and sometimes a building association. Before the appointment, confirm:

1. Who has the authority to approve lock changes at this location
2. Whether the lease requires landlord approval, and whether the landlord needs a key afterward
3. Who will be on site to meet the locksmith and approve any change in scope

Expect to show documentation. Useful items include photo ID, a document linking you to the business, such as a business license or the lease, and, if you're acting for someone else, a signed letter authorizing the work. Checking authorization is part of the service process for commercial property, just as it is for homes.

Take inventory of the doors and hardware

This step does more than any other to make the visit productive. For each door involved, note:

• Its location, such as "front entrance," "rear loading door," or "office 2"
• The door material: wood, hollow metal, aluminum storefront, or glass
• The hardware type: knob, lever, deadbolt, mortise lock, exit device (panic bar), padlock, keypad, or electronic lock
• The brand name, if it's visible on the lock or cylinder
• Any markings on the keys, such as stamped numbers or "Do Not Duplicate"
• Anything not working right, such as sticking, sagging, a door that closes slowly, or a latch that doesn't catch

Photos help. Take one of the whole door and a close-up of the lock and cylinder on each side. If you have keys for each lock, set them aside and label them. Working keys generally make rekeying more straightforward.

Identify doors with special requirements

Some doors come with rules that affect what hardware can go on them.

• Exit doors. Building and fire codes govern how doors along an exit path must open. Hardware on those doors generally has to let people leave without a key, special knowledge, or extra effort, so adding a lock or chain that blocks the way out isn't an option. Your local building or fire official decides what's allowed.
• Fire-rated doors. Many fire-rated door assemblies carry a label, often on the hinge edge of the door or on the frame. Changing hardware on these doors can affect the rating, so point them out ahead of time.
• Accessible routes. The U.S. Access Board's guide to the ADA Standards explains that door hardware should be operable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The guide gives lever handles and U-shaped pulls as examples that work this way and notes that round knobs don't. If you're replacing hardware, that's worth factoring in, and your building or code official can confirm what applies to your space.

Hardware grades are also worth knowing about. ANSI/BHMA standards sort many commercial hardware products into grades 1, 2, and 3, with grade 1 set at the highest tested level. A door that sees heavy daily use generally calls for hardware built for that kind of use.

Think about key control

Rekeying stops old keys from working, but without a plan, the same problem tends to come back. Before the visit, think about:

• Who needs access to which doors, by role rather than by name
• How many keys each role needs
• Who will hold the master key, if you use a master key system
• How you'll record who has which key, and how keys will be collected when people leave

A simple spreadsheet listing each key, its holder, and the date issued can make the next change much easier. Some businesses also use restricted keyways, which are designed to limit unauthorized key copying. If that matters to you, ask about options during the visit.

Plan the logistics

• Timing. Consider when the work will cause the least disruption, such as before opening or during a slower part of the day. Ask which appointment times are possible rather than assuming.
• Building rules. Some buildings require contractors to check in, work only during set hours, or provide documents before starting. Ask your property manager what applies.
• Access. Make sure every door on the list can be reached, including locked storage rooms and roof or utility doors.
• Alarms. If opening doors will set off an alarm, arrange for it to be managed during the visit.
• Parking or loading. Note where a service vehicle can park.
• A point of contact. Name one person who can answer questions and approve decisions on the day.

What affects the estimate

Commercial estimates depend on the scope of the work. Common factors include:

• The number of doors, cylinders, and keys
• The hardware type and brand on each door
• Whether a master key system is being designed or changed
• Door condition and any repairs needed
• Access, scheduling, and building requirements

Our guide to understanding a locksmith estimate lists the questions worth asking before you approve work. If you're deciding between keeping or changing hardware, our guide to rekeying vs. replacing locks explains the difference.

Next step

If you're planning commercial lock work, you can send your door inventory, photos, and goals through our contact page. A detailed list makes it possible to talk through the scope before anyone arrives.