Building renovations can change how people move through and use a facility. Offices may relocate, departments may change, and contractors may need temporary access to work areas. When a project includes new doors, locks, or other hardware, facility managers should plan how keys will be assigned, tracked, and secured.
Starting early can help prevent confusion when renovated spaces reopen. Reviewing the existing doors, keying arrangements, and future access needs gives the project team a clearer picture of what should happen before, during, and after the work.
Start with an Opening and Key Inventory
List the doors affected by the renovation and note what each opening serves. Include exterior entrances, offices, storage rooms, mechanical spaces, and areas with restricted access. Record the hardware currently installed and, if known, which keys operate each lock.
If the facility has a master key system, gather the available keying records before requesting changes. Records may be incomplete, especially in older buildings, but even a partial inventory can help begin the discussion. Seven Oaks can discuss whether new locks can be keyed into an existing system through its commercial lock keying service.
For openings receiving new doors or frames, review the commercial doors and frames as well as the locks and other hardware. Considering the complete opening can help the team spot compatibility questions before installation.
Identify Who Needs Access
Review who needs access to each area after construction is complete. Employees, maintenance staff, building managers, and outside service providers may have different needs. Confirm who needs ongoing access and who only needs temporary access during the renovation.
This review is also a chance to address lost keys, staff changes, or areas where access should be limited. Avoid relying on old distribution lists without checking whether the assignments still make sense. Decide who will approve new keys, keep the key records, and collect keys when staff roles change.
Coordinate Hardware Changes with the Work Schedule
Include door and hardware changes in the renovation schedule. The timing of installation can affect when keys are issued and when rooms or entrances are ready for use. For projects involving several openings, clarify which doors are changing, which will remain in service, and who will receive the new keys.
Gather photos, project timing, and any available door or hardware information before requesting an estimate. Seven Oaks’ commercial door quote preparation guide outlines details that can help start the conversation. Share any known requirements for the facility and explain whether work needs to be coordinated around employees, visitors, production, or public access.
Review the Keying Plan for Future Needs
A renovation is a good time to consider whether the current keying arrangement still fits the building. A facility may need separate access for departments, a defined group of master keys, or a plan for future additions. Changes should be coordinated with the person or provider responsible for the existing system, since rekeying some doors may affect how other openings operate.
For general background, ASSA ABLOY’s overview of master key systems explains how a system can organize access across multiple openings. Facility teams can also review CISA’s facility access control guidance as a planning resource.
Consider Whether Electronic Access Fits Some Openings
Some renovations may be a useful time to review whether selected doors would benefit from electronic access. A facility may want to manage entry to certain rooms without issuing additional traditional keys. The appropriate option depends on the opening, hardware, and how the space is used. Seven Oaks provides information about electronic access control upgrades for commercial doors. Mechanical keys may still be part of the plan, so consider how access methods will work together.
Update the Records After the Work
When the project is complete, update facility records. Note which doors changed, what keys were issued, who received them, and where spare keys are stored. Keep the records available to the people responsible for building access, and set a time to review them as staffing or facility needs change.
Planning key control alongside door and hardware decisions helps facility teams prepare for daily use after renovation work is finished. To discuss a project, contact Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware for a quote.
