It’s one of those questions that most Gold Coast business owners know they should think about but rarely do, until something goes wrong. How often should you actually change the locks on your business premises?
The honest answer is: it depends. But there are a handful of situations where acting quickly is critical, and some general guidelines every business should follow. Here’s what we tell our commercial clients across the Gold Coast.
This is the number one situation where businesses get caught out. When a staff member resigns or is let go, their key (or keys) represent an ongoing security risk until the locks are changed or rekeyed.
Even if they hand the key back, you have no way of knowing whether a copy was made. For terminations where the departure wasn’t amicable, acting the same day is strongly recommended.
The good news: rekeying locks (rather than replacing them entirely) is a fast and cost-effective solution. A licensed locksmith can rekey your existing locks so that old keys no longer work, without the expense of full lock replacement.
If your business has been broken into, your locks may have been physically damaged, tampered with, or the perpetrators may have left with keys. Changing all affected locks immediately before your next business day if possible is essential.
Also worth doing: a full security audit of how the entry was made, so you can address the vulnerability rather than just replacing like-for-like.
A set of business keys that can’t be accounted for is a security risk. If a key is lost whether dropped in a car park or left on public transport treat it as compromised. You don’t know who found it, and if your business address is on any tag or fob associated with it, the risk is even higher.
Rather than hoping for the best, call a locksmith and get the affected locks rekeyed. It’s a small cost for significant peace of mind.
If your business has changed hands, brought in a new senior management team, or transitioned from one tenancy to another, you should always start with fresh locks. There’s no reliable way to account for every key that was issued under previous ownership.
This is non-negotiable if you’re moving into a commercial tenancy. Always rekey on day one don’t rely on the keys handed over during settlement.
Locks don’t last forever. Over time, the internal mechanisms wear down, cylinders become harder to operate, and security degrades. A lock that sticks, requires jiggling, or has visible damage is both a security risk and a daily frustration.
As a general rule, commercial locks in high-traffic settings should be inspected every 2–3 years and replaced as needed. A locksmith can assess whether a lock is still performing to standard or has passed its useful life.
Beyond the reactive situations above, here are some proactive timelines:
A common misconception is that “changing the locks” means physically replacing all the hardware. In many cases, rekeying is a better option:
Allcoast Locksmiths will always give you an honest recommendation on which approach is appropriate for your situation we’re not in the business of recommending more than you need.
If it’s been a while since you thought seriously about the security of your business premises, a commercial lock inspection is a worthwhile starting point. Allcoast Locksmiths works with businesses across the Gold Coast from sole traders to large commercial properties to assess vulnerabilities and put the right systems in place.
With over 40 years of experience and 24/7 availability, we’re the Gold Coast’s trusted commercial locksmith. Give us a call to book a consultation.
