Forest Hill Locksmith Guide: Family Homes and Private Gardens

Forest Hill lies just north-east of Burwood East, across Canterbury and Springvale roads, with the Forest Hill Chase shopping centre at its heart. It is a leafy, established suburb of family homes on generous blocks, with newer townhouses where older houses have been subdivided. This guide covers the homes, gardens and businesses we work on in Forest Hill and the lock jobs that come up most.

The character of Forest Hill homes

Most Forest Hill houses were built through the 1960s and 1970s on large blocks with deep back gardens. Many families have lived in the same house for decades. More recently, some blocks have been split for townhouses and units, and some downsizers have moved into villa units.

That gives us three main groups of clients:

Long-term owners whose original locks are wearing out.
New buyers who want everything rekeyed on settlement day.
Older residents who want locks that are easier to use.

Private gardens, hidden doors

Forest Hill's big, private back gardens are a pleasure to live with, but they hide the back of the house from the street and the neighbours. That makes rear doors, sliding doors, back windows and side gates the entry points we pay most attention to.

Back doors

Many back doors still have a basic latch. A deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate, fixed with long screws into the wall framing, is the single most effective upgrade. See security locksmith.

Sliding doors to the garden

Older aluminium sliders can sometimes be lifted from their tracks. Anti-lift blocks and keyed bolts fix this cheaply. Our guide to sliding door security explains the options.

Back windows

Ground-floor windows facing the garden are often unlocked or held by a simple catch. Keyed window locks are inexpensive and make a real difference.

Side gates

A keyed gate lock stops easy access to the back of the house. It can be keyed alike with the house locks.

Long-held homes: when locks finally wear out

After thirty or forty years, locks reach the end of their life. Signs include:

Keys that need jiggling.
Deadbolts that need the door pushed before they throw.
Handles that droop or spin.
Latches that do not catch.

Some locks can be repaired. Others have no parts left and are better replaced. Our lock repair and lock replacement services cover both, and we will tell you honestly which makes sense.

Settlement day rekeying

When a long-held family home sells, the new owners have no idea how many keys are out there. Children, grandchildren, neighbours, cleaners and tradespeople may all have had copies over the years. Rekeying every external lock on settlement day, keyed alike, solves it. See lock rekeying and our guide Rekey or Replace Locks?.

Easier locks for older residents

Older residents and downsizers often find small keys, stiff turn knobs and round door knobs hard to use. Options include:

Lever handles instead of knobs.
Keys with larger bows that are easier to grip.
Deadlatches that open from inside with a simple handle turn.
Servicing stiff locks so they turn easily.

These changes make daily life easier without reducing security. Our residential locksmith service can suggest options.

Townhouses

Newer townhouses in Forest Hill usually have modern deadlatches, aluminium sliders and a door from the garage into the house. Typical jobs include:

Lockouts caused by deadlatches that lock on closing. See lockout service.
Adding a deadbolt to the garage access door.
Securing courtyard sliders.

Businesses around Forest Hill Chase

Retailers and service businesses in and around Forest Hill Chase need reliable locks on staff entries, storerooms and offices. When staff change, rekeying storeroom and office locks keeps control of stock and cash. A master key system can make this simpler. See commercial locksmith.

Security tips for Forest Hill homes

Lock the back door and sliders whenever you are in the front garden or away.
Keep side gates locked.
Trim plants that hide windows from view.
Do not leave ladders in the garden where they can reach upper windows.
Fit restrictors on upper windows if you have young grandchildren visiting.

After a break-in

If your Forest Hill home has been broken into, our guide to locks after a break-in explains what to do first. Our emergency locksmith line is answered 24/7 on 03 4422 2837 to secure the property.

How close are we?

Our workshop at 50 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East is a short drive from Forest Hill. We give honest arrival estimates on the call.

Nearby suburbs

Get in touch

Read more on our Forest Hill locksmith page, call 03 4422 2837, or request a quote online. Our office is open 7 days, 8:00am to 7:00pm (Friday until 7:30pm), with emergency lockouts 24/7.