You wouldn’t buy a phone without considering storage options. You wouldn’t buy a car without considering features. Most importantly, you wouldn’t go into either of these purchases ignorant to your budget, needs, and which of these various costs are worth it to you. Likewise, you shouldn’t go into a safe purchase without understanding your budget and security, and storage needs.

Fortunately, just like with phones, and cars, you’re armed with options across many budget ranges when it comes to home safes. Your overall satisfaction with your safe will increase if you educate yourself to make an informed decision about which safe best meets your needs. 

In today’s post, we’ll cover a list of needs many have when shopping safes, as well as how much you should budget for a safe when taking into consideration delivery, installation, accessories, and other factors.

Assess Your Needs

Before diving into the different price ranges for safes, it’s essential to assess your specific needs. This will guide you in determining what safe is best suited for you and what features you should prioritize (and which you can ignore). Here are some common considerations:

1. Size, and capacity: What are you looking to store in the safe? Smaller items like documents, and jewelry, or larger items like firearms? The size, and capacity of the safe can significantly impact the price, so make sure you’re not getting one that is too big or too small. Safes that only store documents, and cash are usually smaller and cost less, while safes for storing firearms, and bulky items tend to be larger and more expensive.
2. Security level: Not all safes provide the same level of protection. Basic safes may suffice for less-valuable items, but if you’re storing, something with high value (whether monetary or sentimental), you’ll want a safe with advanced security features like biometric locks, multiple bolts, and a higher fire/burglary rating.
3. Fire, and water resistance: Safes with fire, and water resistance provide additional protection for your items when it comes to natural disasters. The level of protection can vary, however, which influences the price. A minimum of 30-minute fire resistance is a good target for basic protection, with higher-rated models available for more demanding needs (or to provide better peace of mind).
4. Type of safe: There are several types of safes to consider as well, which also impact your budget depending on which one you choose. (Where you store the safe may also play a part in this decision.) Wall safes are ideal for placement behind paintings or furniture, floor safes are ideal for heavier items, gun safes are specifically designed for firearm safety, and portable safes are smaller, lighter and less expensive.

Find Your Budget Range

Costs are always going to vary depending on the type of safe you choose, the brand, and the retailer selling it, but there are some general price ranges to consider when making your decision. Here are the three general categories of safes, and their price ranges:

1. Budget-friendly safes ($300 or less): These are viable options for small, and less-valuable items. They typically feature basic lock mechanisms, and minimal fire, and water resistance.
2. Mid-range safes ($300-$1,000): Offering a balance of security, and affordability, safes in this tier often come with better locking mechanisms, increased protection and larger capacities. 
3. High-end safes ($1,000 or more): For high-value items or specific security needs, these safes are the way to go. Providing ultimate protection with advanced locking systems, and extensive fire, water and burglary resistance, high-end safes are built to withstand both natural disasters, and break-in attempts.

Consider Add-On Services

Another factor in your budget should be other related services like delivery, installation and accessories. At A-1 Locksmith, for example, we’re happy to provide a quote that includes safe delivery, and installation—and we have a variety of safe accessories we can recommend as well. Just make sure you ask about these costs ahead of time so you aren’t surprised later on and blow your budget. Upfront quotes, and estimates are a wise thing to pursue early in the budgeting process.

Determine Financing

Finally, you’ll need to figure out how you want to pay for your safe. If cash isn’t an option, a credit card will usually suffice. But there are often payment plans available as well. 

At A-1 Locksmith, we offer Affirm as a financing option. Whether you’re purchasing online or in store, you can use Affirm to buy now and pay later with flexible plans that fit your budget. You can easily manage everything associated with the purchase via an easy-to-use app, and you can get exclusive deals like minimal or low APR. Either way, we’ll work with you to ensure you get the best safe for your budget and security needs.

If you still have questions about how to budget for a safe or you’re ready to start looking at your options, visit one of A-1 Locksmith’s Dallas-Fort Worth locations today, or give us a call.

Looking for your next gun safe or home safe? Look no further than A-1 Locksmith. Here are some reasons why we’re the best place to buy a gun safe or home safe in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Local History

When a company is locally owned, and operated, you can tell. A-1 Locksmith has been a family-owned company serving DFW since 1949, growing into one of the nation’s leading family-owned, and operated locksmith companies. We call Dallas-Fort Worth home, and treat our customers like family, and the local community members that they are. We’ll help you select the gun or home safe that’s best for you—not just a model we want to sell.

Expert Guidance

We have more than 65 years of experience in the industry, and are the area’s experts in locksmithing and security. We only hire licensed locksmiths, and ensure all our staff has expertise with gun and home safes. Additionally, we partner with the Safe & Vault Technicians Association (SAVTA), the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and Texas Locksmiths Association. We are also proud of our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Extensive Selection

We have an extensive online, and in-store selection of safes, alarms, accessories, and more—from trusted brands like Browning and Liberty. Whether you’re looking for a rifle safe or handgun safe, large vault or small safe, accessories or parts, we can help you out. Our dedicated staff members are all full=time, meaning you won’t experience the pushy salespeople you will from other businesses. We will be happy to answer your questions, and show you the features, and specifications of your desired safe models.

Professional Installation

A-1 Locksmith is unmatched when it comes to safe delivery, and installation services in Dallas-Fort Worth. We move, and deliver safes, even if you didn’t buy it from us! Furthermore, we won’t just drop them in your garage; we install them inside, and offer bolt-down service on every install. Our professional safe delivery teams will also provide in-home training before we leave, and guarantee your satisfaction before we leave.
Your search for the best place to buy a gun or home safe in Dallas-Fort Worth ends now. Visit any of our North Texas locations today, or start browsing our selection of safes online.

If you think outside the box, however, you can store a safe in an unexpected place.

While gun safes are large, and many home safes as well, you can at least slow down would-be thieves with these four unexpected places to put a home safe.

1. In the Kitchen

For a place thieves likely won’t look, try the kitchen. Some people use old refrigerators, shelves or cabinets to hide valuables, but it’s not ideal to store valuables in these areas without any extra protection. Consider installing an actual safe in the kitchen instead. You can store it in the back of the pantry, behind a hidden door or under a cabinet. You probably can’t get away with a large safe in this area, but it’s a great unexpected spot for a small or medium safe.

2. In the Stairs

You know that old saying of finding, something “under your nose?” That’s what a safe in the stairs is like. You can hide valuables in a safe literally underneath where potential criminals are walking. Under the stairs is a great place for larger safes, but it’s a little more expected than other locations on this list. Actually inside the stair steps themselves is a more unexpected spot, though it’s ideal for the smallest of safes. For larger safes, you could 

3. In a Vent

Wall safes are getting more advanced, and versatile these days, as you can buy models that are well cloaked. You can also fit a safe behind a fake vent and it can be any size, since vents vary in sizing as well. Just don’t store valuables or a safe directly in a real air vent, as there’s a chance you could lose them or they could become damaged by cold or hot air. It’s also fairly simple to remove a vent screen with a simple screwdriver.

4. In the Floor

Have you ever seen a movie where the actors find cash hidden in the floorboards? It’s more common than you might think. But, like the other suggestions on this list, we don’t recommend leaving valuables out in the open or stored in an area that isn’t a safe. For several other reasons, your items won’t be protected in case of a fire or explosion. But if you install a safe underground, your belongings will be both hidden and protected.

Now that you’ve reviewed these four unexpected places you can put a home safe, where would you place your safe? This list is far from exhaustive, and one for which we’re certain safe owners can have some fun with. 

If you’re interested in a home safe purchase or installation, trust the team at A-1 Locksmith. Stop by one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations or give us a call at 972-284-7500 to consult with a security expert today!

Home safes accomplish the same purpose, only with a bit less magic involved. That being said, it’s possible to hide some home safes better than others. Did you know, for example, that you can disguise a home safe to look like a cabinet in your kitchen? Let’s look at this, and two other options for storing your home safe that you might not have thought about yet.

1. Attic

When burglars enter your home, they are going to want to spend as little time in it as possible. As such, they’re likely not going to be stumbling around in the attic, looking for valuables. This is just one of the many reasons an attic is a great little-known place for storing a home safe. An attic is difficult to reach, easy to get trapped in, and full of great places to hide or camouflage a safe. This is ultimately a great location to consider for items you don’t need to access regularly.

The weight of the safe, and access are considerations if you’d like to store it in the attic, but given the security benefits it may be worth an audit by a safe moving company such as A-1 Locksmith. 

2. Kitchen

Next, we move to the kitchen. As mentioned above, you can disguise a home safe to look like one of your cabinets. At first glance, it looks like a simple storage solution, but intruders won’t know your standard cabinetry is a disguise for a safe enclosing your valuables. As with other safes, you can choose the access type, and security features that fit your needs. The cabinet isn’t the only place in your kitchen you can hide a safe, however. Other little-known options for storing a home safe in the kitchen include:

• Under the counter
• Behind a hidden wall or shelving
• Under the sink
• In the corner
• Behind other kitchen items

3. Stairs

The third option we’ll be covering today goes to show that if you’re flexible, and use your imagination, you can store your home safe wherever you want. Your stairs have multiple opportunities for hiding a small home safe. The first is under-the-stairs storage. Many homes have a door or shelving with a compartment under the stairs for keeping belongings, which makes a great option for concealing your home safe. Another option is creating a hidden compartment in the stairs themselves so a seemingly standard step can open to reveal a hidden safe. With a little creativity, and elbow grease, or the help of a trusted safe installation partner, you can store one anywhere.

Interested in more little-known places you can store a home safe? Contact A-1 Locksmith today for a consultation.

If you’re shopping for a new safe, you have to ask yourself the right questions to determine which one is right for you. What is the value of the items you’ll be storing? How often are you away from home? What fire protection do you need? Let’s cover all the factors to consider before you make your planned purchase of a home safe.

1. Content Value

What is the value of the items you’ll be storing in your home safe? If it’s under $3,000 (e.g. cheaper jewelry, small amounts of cash), you can probably go with a lower security rating than if the contents are worth more than $10,000 (e.g. expensive firearms). 

 2. Security Level

What is your goal when it comes to securing items in your safe? Do you just need basic protection to keep firearms away from children? Or do you need increased security against potential thieves, and burglars? Security levels range from 1 to 8, so make sure you choose the one that meets your needs.

3. Time Away from Home

How often is your home empty? If someone is home most of the time, you might not need as much security as someone who is traveling for days or weeks at a time. Even if there are long hours during the day when no one is home, it might be a wise idea to adjust your home safe investments accordingly.

4. Fire Protection

All homes are at risk of fire damage, but some are more so than others. If you live in an area with a higher risk of fire hazards, you might want to invest in the best fire protection possible.

5. Item Sizes

How big are the items you’ll be storing in your safe? Small items like passports, and jewelry don’t require much room, but firearms, and other valuable items may need a significant amount of space. Make sure the place where you’ll be storing your safe is big enough, too.

6. Extra Features

Not all safes are the same; some have advanced features that might appeal to you. There are different types of access points (e.g. key, keypad, thumbprint, etc.) and safety features in the safe itself (e.g. reinforced locks, heavy-duty frames, etc.).

7. Warranty

Home safes can be significant investments, so you’ll also have to consider whether you want the peace of mind that comes with a warranty. Ask your safe expert about whether the safe you’re purchasing has a warranty or not.

Have questions about which home safe you should buy? Contact the A-1 Locksmith experts at 877-374-3450 today.