The Williams family had been dreaming of this moment for months—the keys to their new single-story bungalow in South London were finally in their hands. After years of climbing stairs in their previous multi-story home, Margaret and David Williams, who were approaching retirement and thinking about their long-term comfort and accessibility needs, particularly liked the idea of everything being on one level.
However, what should have been a straightforward weekend move turned into an unexpected lesson about property security that would fundamentally change how they approached home protection.
The Perfect Bungalow with an Overlooked Risk
The charming 1960s bungalow in Merton was everything the Williams family had hoped for. Its spacious rooms, well-maintained garden, and quiet residential street represented the perfect downsizing solution. The property had been lovingly maintained by its previous elderly owner, who had lived there for over 30 years before moving to a care facility.
“It felt like a home that had been well-loved,” Margaret recalls. “Everything was in excellent condition, and the neighbours were so welcoming. We felt like we’d found our forever home.”
The completion happened on a Friday afternoon, and the family planned to move in over the weekend when their adult children could help with the heavy lifting. However, their daughter Sarah raised a concern that none of them had considered.
“Mum, have you thought about changing the locks?” Sarah asked as they walked through the property for the first time as owners. “I mean, this house has been here for decades. How many people do you think have had keys over the years?”
This simple question opened Margaret and David’s eyes to a property security issue they had never contemplated.
The Weekend Security Dilemma
As the Williams family began researching London security best practices, they discovered their situation was more common than they’d realised. Properties occupied for long periods often have numerous key holders—family members, carers, cleaners, gardeners, and maintenance workers could all potentially have copies.
“The estate agent mentioned that the previous owner had had various carers and helpers over the years,” David explained. “When we thought about it, we realised we had no idea how many people might still have access to our new home.”
The problem was timing. It was Friday evening, they were moving in on Saturday, and most locksmith services they contacted were closed or couldn’t accommodate a weekend service appointment.
“We were starting to panic,” Margaret admits. “We didn’t want to spend our first night in the new house worrying about who else could walk in.”
Finding Immediate Help When It Mattered Most
Just when the Williams family was beginning to think they’d have to wait until Monday for professional help, they discovered EBU’s 24/7 emergency locksmith services. What impressed them was the company’s availability of Merton services and their promise of immediate assistance regardless of the day or time.
“I called EBU at 7 pm on Friday, honestly not expecting much,” David recalls. “But the person who answered was incredibly professional and immediately understood our urgency.”
The customer service representative explained that weekend service calls were standard, particularly from families moving into new properties. They assured the Williams family that EBU’s lock replacement service was available seven days a week, and they could have a qualified technician visit their bungalow on Saturday morning.
“The relief was immediate,” Margaret says. “Finally, someone who understood that security concerns don’t wait for business hours.”
Weekend Service That Delivered Beyond Expectations
True to its promise, EBU’s weekend service exceeded the Williams family’s expectations. The technician arrived at their bungalow at 9 am on Saturday, just as they unpacked their first boxes.
“The locksmith was incredibly professional and respectful of the fact that we were in the middle of moving,” David noted. “They worked around the boxes and chaos without any complaints.”
The EBU technician immediately began a comprehensive assessment of the bungalow’s security needs. Being a single-story property, the property security considerations differed from those of a multi-story house, and the locksmith’s expertise in Merton services was evident from their local knowledge.
“They explained that bungalows have unique security challenges,” Margaret recalls. “With all the windows and doors at ground level, proper locking systems are even more critical for home protection.”
Comprehensive Security Upgrade
What began as a simple lock replacement service evolved into a thorough security upgrade explicitly tailored to their bungalow’s layout and vulnerabilities. The EBU technician identified several areas where home protection could be enhanced, including the front door’s old mortice lock that didn’t meet current British Security Standards, the back door leading to the garden, and several windows with outdated locking mechanisms.
“Rather than just replacing the existing locks with identical ones, the technician took the time to explain London security best practices specifically for bungalow properties,” David explained.
The comprehensive security upgrade included high-security British Standard BS3621-approved locks on all external doors, multi-point locking systems where appropriate, and upgraded window locks throughout the property. The technician also enhanced security for garage access and improved locks for utility areas.
Local Expertise Makes the Difference
The Williams family was particularly impressed by the technician’s knowledge of Merton services and local security considerations. Having worked in the South London area for years, the locksmith understood the challenges facing bungalow owners in their neighbourhood.
“They mentioned that there had been some issues with opportunistic break-ins in the area, particularly targeting single-story properties,” Margaret explains. “But they also reassured us that we could significantly reduce any risks with proper property security measures.”
The technician provided valuable local insight about common security vulnerabilities in 1960s bungalows, how modern locking systems could be integrated with the property’s original features, and practical advice for maintaining security in a single-story home.
The Value of Immediate Help
The immediate help provided by EBU’s weekend service proved invaluable for the Williams family’s peace of mind. Moving house is stressful enough without worrying about security, and having professional lock replacement service available on a Saturday meant they could focus on settling into their new home.
“By Saturday afternoon, we had completely secure locks throughout the bungalow,” David says. “We could enjoy unpacking and organising our new home instead of worrying about who else might have keys.”
The entire security upgrade was completed efficiently. The technician worked around the family’s moving activities while providing multiple sets of keys and detailed instructions on how each locking system operated.
A Lesson for South London Homeowners
The Williams family’s experience highlighted the importance of choosing a lock replacement service that offers genuine weekend service availability. Many companies claim to offer emergency services but may not provide comprehensive solutions outside of business hours.
“We learned that true immediate help means more than just answering the phone,” Margaret reflects. “EBU didn’t just squeeze us in—they provided the same quality service on Saturday that we would have received on a weekday.”
Impressed by their experience, the Williams family has since recommended EBU’s Merton services to several neighbours and friends in South London. Their positive experience has helped other bungalow owners understand the importance of proper home protection measures.
Conclusion: Security That Doesn’t Wait
Six months after their move, the Williams family remains grateful for the immediate help they received from EBU’s weekend service. Their decision to prioritise property security from day one has allowed them to enjoy their retirement home without security concerns.
“Our advice to anyone moving to a new home is simple: don’t wait,” Margaret concludes. “With services like EBU offering immediate help seven days a week, there’s no reason to spend even one night in your new home wondering who else might have keys.”
The Williams family’s story proves that professional lock replacement service is available when you need it most. With London security experts like Emergency Boarding Up London offering reliable weekend service, peace of mind is just a phone call away.
