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 Deadbolt Installation Nationwide
Deadbolt installation puts a hardened steel bolt into your door frame so the door cannot be pushed, kicked, or slipped open the way a spring-latch knob can. Blackthorn Locksmith & Security has installed deadbolts since 2008, using background-checked, uniformed technicians who bring the hardware, the drill bits, and the know-how to finish the job in one visit. We work across the United States, and a live person answers the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call (818) 390-9007, you get a written price before any work starts, and that price is the one on the invoice. Every installation is covered by our 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Most homeowners call us for one of a few reasons: a new home with only knob locks, a front door that has never had a real deadbolt, a recent break-in scare, or a worn-out bolt that no longer throws all the way. Whatever brought you here, the work is the same careful process. We measure, bore, fit, test, and explain what we did. If you would rather swap the cylinder on a bolt you already own, our rekey locks service is usually the faster and cheaper route.
What a Deadbolt Installation Includes
A proper deadbolt installation is more than screwing a lock into a hole. Blackthorn Locksmith & Security checks the door slab, the bore holes, the latch edge, the strike plate, and the frame before the new hardware goes in. If the door already has a deadbolt hole, we confirm the diameter and backset match the new lock. If it does not, we bore a clean 2-1/8 inch cross hole and a 1 inch edge hole with the right jig so the bolt lines up with the strike every time.
The visit covers the lock itself, the strike plate, the screws, the labor, and a function test with you watching. Most standard installations run $120 to $280 per door, depending on the grade of deadbolt, the finish, and whether the door needs fresh boring. You see that number in writing before we pick up a drill.
The Strike Plate Matters Most
The factory screws that ship with most deadbolts are about half an inch long. They hold a plate to the thin door jamb and nothing else, which means one solid kick can split the frame. On every installation we replace those with 3-inch screws that bite into the framing stud behind the jamb. It takes a few extra minutes and it is the single biggest upgrade to how hard your door is to force.
Door and Frame Checks
Before we install, the technician looks at hinge screws, door sag, weatherstripping pressure, and any cracks around the existing latch. A deadbolt cannot make up for a door that rubs or a frame that has already split. If we find a problem, we show it to you and quote the fix separately, so you decide what happens next.
Types of Deadbolts We Install
Not every deadbolt suits every door. The right choice depends on the door material, who uses it, and what is on or near it. We install all the common types and will tell you plainly which one fits your situation.
Single Cylinder Deadbolts
A single cylinder deadbolt uses a key on the outside and a thumbturn on the inside. It is the right pick for most front doors, side doors, and garage entry doors, because anyone inside can get out in a second without hunting for a key. This is the type we install most often.
Double Cylinder Deadbolts
A double cylinder deadbolt needs a key on both sides. It is sometimes used on doors with glass within arm’s reach of the thumbturn, since a person breaking the glass cannot simply reach in and turn the knob. The trade-off is fire safety: in an emergency you need a key to get out. We walk through that trade-off with you before we recommend one, and in many cases a single cylinder with a laminated glass or a security film is the better answer.
Keyed Alike Sets
If you are adding deadbolts to a front door, a back door, and a side-garage door, we can key them all to the same key. One key in your pocket instead of three. This is a popular choice for families, and it also works if you want the new deadbolt to match the key you already carry for a knob lock.
Electronic and Keypad Deadbolts
Keypad and smart deadbolts replace the key with a code or a phone app, with a physical key kept as a backup. We install these too, and we program the codes and test the key override before leaving. They need a well-aligned door to work well, which is one more reason the prep step matters.
Understanding Deadbolt Grades
Deadbolts are graded by the American National Standards Institute and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association. The grade tells you how many hits, cycles, and attack tests the lock was built to survive. It is the fastest way to compare two locks that look the same on the shelf.
- Grade 3 is the entry level for residential use. It passes the basic standard and works fine for interior or low-risk exterior doors.
- Grade 2 is the sweet spot for most homes. It uses heavier internal parts and handles more strikes and more cycles than Grade 3, at a modest price step.
- Grade 1 is commercial-rated. It is built to survive far more abuse and is what we suggest for front doors in higher-risk areas, or for anyone who wants the most durable lock a home can reasonably carry.
Our technicians stock Grade 2 and Grade 1 units on the truck, so you are not forced to settle for the cheapest lock just because it was the only one on hand. If you want to go beyond a standard cylinder with patented keyways and copy-protected keys, see our high security locks page.
Brands We Install
We install and service Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and Baldwin every day, and we carry their common deadbolts in several finishes. For homes that need more than a standard cylinder, we also work with Medeco and Mul-T-Lock. If you already own a deadbolt you bought at a hardware store, bring it out and we will install it. If you want us to pick one, we will recommend based on your door, your budget, and how the lock will be used.
Finish matters more than people expect. A mismatched deadbolt stands out on a front door. We stock satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and matte black, and we match the existing knob or lever when possible so the entry looks like one set.
Signs You Need a New Deadbolt
- Your door only has a knob lock. A spring latch can often be slipped open with a plastic card. A deadbolt does not have that weakness, and it is the first thing insurance companies and police crime-prevention officers ask about.
- The bolt sticks or does not fully extend. If the bolt stops short, the door is not really locked even though it felt like it clicked. Usually it is door alignment or a worn cylinder, and installing a fresh deadbolt solves both at once.
- You just moved in. You do not know who has a copy of the existing key. A new deadbolt, or a rekey of the existing ones, closes that gap on day one.
- The key is hard to turn or the lock feels loose. Worn pins and loose mounting screws get worse over time. If it fails while you are away, you could be locked out of your own home.
- You had a break-in or an attempt. Splintered wood around the strike, a bent latch, or pry marks mean the door has been tested. We replace the damaged hardware and reinforce the frame so the next attempt fails.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Call and speak to a live person. Tell us which door, what lock is on it now, and what you want to change. We schedule a window that works for you and give you the technician’s name before they arrive.
- 2
Your technician arrives in uniform. They introduce themselves, show identification, and look at the door with you. Shoe covers go on before entering, and a drop cloth goes down under the work area.
- 3
Inspection and written price. The technician checks the door, the frame, and the existing bore holes, then puts a written price in front of you. If extra work is recommended, you see a second price and decide whether to proceed.
- 4
Installation, done carefully. We bore, fit, and align the new deadbolt, set the strike plate, and drive long screws into the stud. Wood chips and dust are cleaned up as we go.
- 5
Test, photo, and walkthrough. You watch us throw the bolt from both sides. You get your keys, a photo of the clean-up, and a short explanation of the 365-Day Done Right Promise before the technician leaves.
How Much Does Deadbolt Installation Cost?
Deadbolt installation typically runs $120 to $280 per door, including hardware and labor. The range is wide because the job changes with the door. A swap onto an existing, correctly bored door sits at the low end. A new installation that needs fresh boring, a matched finish, or a Grade 1 lock sits higher. Adding keyed-alike sets, extra reinforcement, or a keypad model changes the price too, and each of those is spelled out in the quote.
What moves the price: the grade of the deadbolt, the door material, whether the door needs boring, the finish, and the hour of the call. What does not move it: the number we give you on the phone and in writing. There is no call-out surcharge added on arrival. If you need a related job done on the same visit, such as door lock repair or lock installation on a second door, we price it all together on one written quote. Call (818) 390-9007 for a free estimate.
Why Homeowners Choose Blackthorn
Blackthorn Locksmith & Security was founded in 2008 with a simple rule: tell people the price first and do the work right. Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and trained to explain what they are doing at each step. Nobody shows up in an unmarked car and asks you to pay cash before they start.
The C.A.R.E. values guide every visit. We clean up like it is our own home, ask before we move or touch anything, respect your time and quiet hours, and explain the price before the work. Families with kids and pets do not have to worry about metal shavings, grease, or a technician leaving a mess in the hallway.
The 365-Day Done Right Promise is the backstop. If the bolt does not throw cleanly, the strike loosens, or anything about the installation is not right in the year that follows, we make it right in writing. If you are thinking about replacing the entire entry set at the same time, our change door locks page explains how that works. You can also start from the Blackthorn Locksmith & Security home page to see everything we do.
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, the same upfront quote, and the same 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deadbolt Installation
Most installations take 45 to 90 minutes. If the door already has a correctly sized bore hole, the work is closer to 45 minutes. A door that needs fresh boring, a new strike mortise, or frame reinforcement takes closer to 90 minutes. Adding a second or third door usually goes faster, since the technician already has the tools set up.
A standard installation runs $120 to $280 per door, including the lock, the labor, and the long strike plate screws. The final price depends on the deadbolt grade, the finish, and whether the door needs boring. You get the exact number in writing before work begins. Call (818) 390-9007 for a free estimate.
Single cylinder is right for most homes because the thumbturn on the inside lets everyone leave quickly in an emergency. Double cylinder makes sense only when glass sits within reach of the thumbturn, and it carries a fire-safety trade-off since you need a key to exit. Our technician will look at the door and talk through both options before recommending one.
Yes. Bring it out and we will install it, as long as it is a reputable brand and the grade suits the door. If the lock looks like it will not hold up, we will say so plainly and show you an alternative on the truck. You will not be pushed to buy something you do not need.
Yes. A live person answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and same-day appointments are available across the country. After a break-in, we can secure the door the same day by replacing the damaged hardware and installing a new deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate.
Every installation is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it is not done right, we make it right, in writing. That covers our workmanship for a full year. Manufacturer warranties on the hardware apply separately, and we explain what covers the specific lock you choose.
Schedule Your Deadbolt 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 schedule your deadbolt 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. One call, and your door is secured the right way.
Written by Shane Delaney, Owner at Blackthorn Locksmith & Security, serving homes across the United States since 2008.