Most small business owners think about locks twice: on the day they get the keys to a new space, and on the day something goes wrong. In between, keys get copied, employees come and go, doors take a beating, and the hardware quietly wears out. A little planning saves money, downtime and a lot of stress. Here is a practical checklist for shops, offices, studios, restaurants and small warehouses. Start with a key inventory Before changing anything, find out where you stand.