Commercial Rekeying: what to note first

The manager's key ring went missing somewhere between the bank and the car, and the master on it opened every door in the building. Until the cylinders are changed, whoever finds it is holding the run of the place.

Worth answering before the call

Are any of the locks interchangeable cores, and where is the control key? When is the premises quiet or empty enough for the work? How many doors, padlocks and cabinets do you want included, and where are they?

How often should a business change its keys as a matter of routine?

There is no fixed interval. Rekey on events rather than on a calendar: a key not returned, a lease change, a break-in, a renovation crew finished, or a key count that no longer matches the register. Businesses with a good register and a restricted keyway often go years between rekeys because nothing prompts one. A yearly check of the register against the keys on the hook is the habit that tells you when the time has come.

What is a master key system and does a small business need one?

In a master key system each lock accepts its own change key and also a master key above it, so a manager carries one key while staff carry keys that open only their own doors. Small businesses with three or four doors often manage without one. A master earns its place once there are several rooms with different people in them, or several locations, and the owner would otherwise carry a ring of keys.