Sun Dec 29, 2019 7:47 am by surelocksmith
I currently do some masterkey work on homes for landlords. I usually do the math so they can use their current master key. I have been contacted to rekey an assistant living facility with memory care. All the locks are kwikset and keyed to one key. They have about 75 resident units of which about 50 have single deadbolts along with the lever locks. (This I am not sure is allowed.) It appears I will have go with a Master Key and some sub-master keys. Here is my concern and first question. Can Kwikset locks handle sub -masterkeying knowing their tolerances tend to be a little loose and sloppy. I would not be as concern if it was Schlage, Yale, Wiser, etc. I worry about the pins hanging up causing the keys not to work well. I plan to purchase the Aerokey Master Keying Software for this job so I don't have a crossover problem. I recently purchased the Extreme Pro key cutting machine to help with more precise key cutting. Will I be okay?
My second question has to do with bidding on this job. Since I have to cut new change keys for every lock with duplicates, do I charge a little extra for this. I plan on charging $18 each to master key all locks, $5 to cut the change keys, $2 for duplicates. Should I include a set up charge and one service call as well? I have not bid on a job this large before and don't know the practice. Any advice on pricing this job out?
Lastly, the AHJ (Fire Marshall) has been round and round with this client I am told. I thought about researching the NFPA 101 for code compliance since I am also a CFDAI. We all know how politics can be so I not sure I want to raise any concerns. I just want to do the locksmith work if I can.
Not sure if I sure walk away from bidding on this job or go for it.
Any advice?
Thanks,
Mark