Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Professional Lock Installation Nationwide
Lock installation is the work of fitting new entry hardware to a door, from preparing the bore holes to aligning the latch and testing every key. Blackthorn Locksmith & Security has handled lock installation since 2008, using background-checked, uniformed technicians who arrive with the right hardware, the right drill guides, and a written price in hand. Same-day appointments are available across the United States, and a live person answers the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (818) 390-9007 and you’ll know the exact cost before a single screw is turned. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it covers every installation we complete.
People call us to install locks on new doors, add a second lock to an entry that has only a knob, upgrade worn hardware, or put a lock on a door that never had one, such as a garage side door, a shed, a home office, or a bedroom. Whether it is a single knob or every exterior door in the house, the work is done correctly the first time. If it is not, the promise means we make it right, in writing. For a standalone bolt, see our deadbolt installation page, and for a full set of new hardware, our change door locks service.
What Lock Installation Includes
A proper installation is more than screwing a lock into a hole. Blackthorn Locksmith & Security measures the door thickness and backset, checks that the existing bore holes are the right size, and confirms the latch lines up with the strike plate before anything is fastened. Most standard installations run $85 to $250 per door for labor, with the lock itself priced separately based on brand and grade. A basic Grade 3 knob set sits at the low end, while a Grade 1 lever or high-security cylinder costs more.
If the door has never been drilled, we cut the face bore and edge bore with a jig so the holes are square and centered. A bore that is even a few degrees off causes the latch to bind in humid weather, which is the most common reason a freshly installed lock starts sticking within a season. We treat that detail as part of the job, not an upgrade.
Preparing the Door and Frame
Before the lock goes in, the technician checks the door slab for cracks, the hinges for loose screws, and the jamb for splits near the strike. A strong lock on a weak frame is not much of a lock, so we flag anything that undermines the new hardware and quote the fix separately, in writing. You decide whether to go ahead.
Strike Plates and Screws
Every exterior installation gets a reinforced strike plate and 3-inch screws that reach the stud behind the jamb. The short screws that come in the box bite only into the thin trim wood and can be kicked out with one solid hit. Longer screws cost almost nothing and make the entry far harder to force.
Lock Types We Install
The right lock depends on the door, the use, and the budget. Blackthorn Locksmith & Security installs knob sets, lever handles, deadbolts, mortise locks, rim locks, and keypad models from Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and Baldwin. We also install high-security cylinders from Medeco and Mul-T-Lock for customers who want keys that cannot be copied at a hardware store.
Knobs and Levers
A knob set is the standard choice for interior and light-duty exterior doors. Lever handles are easier to operate with a full grocery bag or arthritic hands, and many homeowners switch to levers when they renovate or plan to stay in the house for years. Both come in entry (keyed), privacy (push-button), passage (no lock), and dummy styles, and we install all four.
Mortise and Rim Locks
Older homes often have mortise locks, where a rectangular pocket is cut into the edge of the door. These are very durable, but they need a technician who understands the pocket, the lock body, and the trim plates. Rim locks mount on the surface of the door and are common on older apartments and storage doors. We install and service both.
Keypad and Smart Locks
If you prefer not to carry keys, we install keypad and app-connected locks, program the codes, and test the key override. Our high security locks page covers the cylinders and keyways for customers who want the most control over who can make a copy.
New Door or Existing Door
Lock installation falls into two broad jobs. On a new or freshly hung door, the technician bores the holes, mortises the latch edge, and fits the hardware from scratch. On an existing door, the work is usually a swap or an addition, and the main task is making new hardware fit old holes without leaving gaps or loose parts.
Adding a lock to a door that already has one is common when a family wants an extra layer of security at night. We place the second lock so it does not weaken the door, usually at least 5 to 6 inches above the first, and we match the finish to the hinges and handles so it looks intentional.
Replacing a Worn Lock
When an old lock is pitted, loose, or hard to turn, a fresh installation is often the better option than another repair. If you are not sure which way to go, read about our door lock repair work, and the technician will tell you plainly whether a repair will last or whether replacing the hardware makes more sense.
Doors That Do Not Close Right
Sometimes a lock seems faulty when the real problem is a door that has dropped on its hinges. We check the reveal along the latch side and adjust the hinges before drilling anything. Fixing the alignment first means the new lock works smoothly and does not wear out early.
Choosing the Right Lock Grade
Residential locks are rated Grade 1, 2, or 3 under the ANSI/BHMA standard. Grade 3 is the lightest and is fine for interior use. Grade 2 is a solid middle choice for most exterior doors. Grade 1 is built for the heaviest use and is tested for far more cycles and much stronger force, which is why it is common on commercial doors and increasingly on homes.
The price difference between Grade 2 and Grade 1 is often $30 to $90 per lock. For a front door that opens dozens of times a day, that small step up usually pays for itself in years of trouble-free use. We bring several grades to the appointment so you can hold them, compare the weight, and choose with the written price in front of you.
Matching Finishes
A lock is one of the first things anyone touches at your door. We stock satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and matte black, and we match the hinge and handle finish so the entry looks consistent. If the exact finish is not on the truck, we order it and come back rather than installing something that clashes.
Keys, Keying, and Key Control
Installing several locks usually raises the question of how many keys you want to carry. We can key every new lock alike so one key opens the front door, the back door, and the garage entry. Or we can key them differently and set up a master key for the owner. Both options come with a written price that covers every cylinder we touch.
If you are installing locks because you just moved in, ask about rekeying existing hardware as well. Our rekey locks service changes the pins inside a lock so old keys stop working, which is often cheaper than replacing hardware that is still in good shape. Many customers combine the two: new locks on the exterior doors, rekeyed hardware on the interior ones.
Signs You Need a New Lock Installed
- You just moved in. You do not know who holds copies of the old keys. Installing new hardware, or at least rekeying, closes that gap in under an hour per door.
- The lock is loose, sticky, or hard to turn. Worn cylinders and stripped screws get worse with time. A lock that fails while you are out can leave you stuck outside, and a forced fix costs more than a planned installation.
- A door has no lock at all. Side garage doors, basement entries, and home offices are often left with a simple latch. A real lock takes one visit and removes an easy way in.
- You had a break-in or an attempt. Pry marks around the latch or a cracked jamb mean the hardware has been tested and found weak. We reinforce the frame and install a stronger lock the same visit when possible.
- You are renovating or hanging a new door. New slabs arrive undrilled or with generic holes. Proper boring and alignment at the start prevents sticking later.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Call and speak to a live person. You’ll reach a human being, any hour of the day or night. We’ll ask which doors need locks, what type of hardware you have in mind, and when you want the work done. Then we book a window and give you the technician’s name before they arrive.
- 2
Your technician arrives in uniform. The technician introduces themselves, shows identification, and looks at each door with you. Shoe covers go on before entering, and a drop cloth goes down under the work area. If there are pets or children in the home, we’ll ask where they are so we can work around them.
- 3
Assessment and written price. The technician checks the door, the frame, and the existing holes, then puts a written price in front of you before any work begins. That price covers parts, labor, and any prep work. If more work is recommended, you see a second written price and decide whether to proceed.
- 4
The installation, done carefully. We bore, fit, align, and fasten each lock with the tools brought for the job. The workspace stays covered, and wood shavings are vacuumed up, not swept into the corner. The C.A.R.E. values guide how we work: clean up like it’s our own home, ask before we move or touch anything, respect your time and quiet hours, and explain the price before the work.
- 5
Testing, a photo, and a walkthrough. Before leaving, the technician tests every lock with you watching, from both sides of the door, and hands you all the keys. You’ll get a photo of the clean-up. Then we explain the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it is not done right, we make it right, in writing.
How Much Does Lock Installation Cost?
Lock installation pricing depends on the hardware, the condition of the door, and how many locks you need. Labor for a standard installation on a prepared door typically runs $85 to $250 per lock. A new door that must be bored from scratch usually lands between $150 and $300 per door. Deadbolt installation runs $120 to $280 per door, and high-security cylinders cost more because the hardware itself is priced higher.
What moves the price: the lock grade, the finish, whether the door or frame needs repair, the hour of the call, and how many doors are done in one visit. What does not move it: our word on the phone. The written price covers everything, with no call-out surcharge added on arrival. Multiple doors in a single visit are often priced lower per lock because the trip and setup are shared. Call (818) 390-9007 for a free estimate on any lock installation.
Where We Work
Blackthorn Locksmith & Security serves homeowners and businesses across the United States through local crews. Our technicians are dispatched from their own communities, carry the same tools and the same standards of care, and follow the same written-price policy on every job. Wherever your home is, you reach the same live person and the same 365-Day Done Right Promise. Since 2008, that consistency is what customers tell us they value most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lock Installation
Swapping a lock on a prepared door usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. A new door that needs fresh boring takes 60 to 90 minutes. If you are having several doors done, the technician will give you a time estimate along with the written price before starting.
Labor typically runs $85 to $250 per lock, plus the price of the lock itself, which depends on brand and grade. A door that must be bored from scratch usually costs $150 to $300. You get the exact figure in writing before work begins, and estimates by phone at (818) 390-9007 are free.
Yes. We install locks you bought yourself, and we will check that the model fits your door thickness and backset before starting. Our workmanship is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise, while the manufacturer covers the lock itself. We also carry common brands on the truck if you would rather skip the shopping.
Yes. We use a bore jig to cut the face and edge holes square and centered, then mortise the latch edge and fit the strike plate. This works on wood, steel, and fiberglass doors, though each material needs different bits and care, which the technician handles on site.
We install Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and Baldwin every day, plus Medeco and Mul-T-Lock for high-security needs. If you have a less common brand, we can usually source it and complete the work on a follow-up visit.
Every installation is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it is not done right, we make it right, in writing, for a full year. Manufacturer warranties on the hardware apply separately, and the technician will explain what is covered on the lock you choose.
Schedule Your Lock Installation Today
Blackthorn Locksmith & Security is ready when you are, day or night. Call (818) 390-9007 and speak to a live person who will book your lock installation, answer your questions, and give you a free, no-obligation estimate before anyone is dispatched. You get a written price before the work starts, a uniformed technician at your door, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise on every job. Return to our home page to see everything we do, or just call and we will take care of it.
Written by Shane Delaney, Owner at Blackthorn Locksmith & Security, serving homes across the United States since 2008.