What affects the cost of installing a new deadbolt?
The cost of a new deadbolt depends mainly on the lock you choose, how many doors are being done, the condition of the door and frame, and whether any extra parts or keys are needed. The time of day the visit happens can also play a part.
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Because those factors differ from one door to the next, the locksmith looks at your door first and gives you the price. The estimate is free, and work starts only once you have agreed the price.
What goes into the price
The lock itself is the first factor. A standard keyed deadbolt, a keypad lock and a smart lock are very different products, and smart and keypad locks also need to be set up once they are fitted. If you want the handle set matched to the new deadbolt, that adds a part to the job.
The door and frame come next. The door's material and the era it was built in decide what can be fitted, and glass beside a door can change which lock makes sense. A strong lock in a weak frame gives way at the frame, so a proper job includes a reinforced strike plate and long screws into the stud. If the door or jamb is the weak point, reinforcing it is part of the work and part of the quote.
Quantity and keys matter too. Several doors take longer than one, though the locksmith may be able to key them all alike so one key fits every door. Cutting extra keys, or programming codes and fobs on electronic locks, is counted in the job. Parts and the time of day the visit takes place also feed into the final figure.
What you can check before you call
- Count the doorsMake a note of every door you want a new lock on, including side doors, garage entry doors and any patio door. The locksmith can then quote the whole job at once.
- Note the door materialIs it solid wood, metal, or a hollow-core or composite door? Mention it on the call, since it affects what can be fitted.
- Look at the frameCheck whether the wood around the lock looks cracked, split or soft. Tell the locksmith what you see so the quote can allow for reinforcement.
- Decide on the type of lockThink about whether you want a standard keyed deadbolt or a keypad or smart lock. Say whether you want the handle set to match.
- Decide how many keys you needConsider how many people need a key, or a code, and whether you want every door on the same key.
When to call a locksmith
Call when you are ready to choose a lock and want your door assessed before anything is bought. This is especially worth doing if the frame is damaged, the door is an unusual type, or there is glass beside it. To arrange a visit with an independent locksmith, call (866) 690-5848.
The locksmith looks at the lock and door, gives you the price, and starts only after you approve it. The estimate is free, so you can compare options for the lock and the extra work before deciding.
What the locksmith will do
- Assess the door and frameThe locksmith checks the door and frame before anything is chosen, so the lock suits the door it is going into.
- Fit the deadbolt properlyThe deadbolt is fitted with a reinforced strike plate and long screws into the stud, so the frame is as strong as the lock.
- Match the handle set and reinforce where neededThe handle set is matched to the new lock, and the door and jamb are reinforced where they are the weak point.
- Fit and set up smart or keypad locksIf you want an electronic lock, it is fitted and set up with your codes or settings before the locksmith leaves.
Related questions
- Does fitting several deadbolts cost more than one?
- More doors mean more locks and more time, so the total goes up. The locksmith can quote all the doors together, and may be able to key them all alike so you carry one key.
- Is a smart lock more expensive to install than a standard deadbolt?
- Usually the lock itself and the set-up work make it a bigger job than a standard keyed deadbolt. The locksmith includes this in the estimate, and you approve the price before work begins.
- Why does the locksmith care about my door frame?
- A deadbolt is only as strong as what it is fixed to. The strike plate and long screws into the stud matter as much as the lock, and a weak frame may need reinforcing.
- Does the locksmith have to be licensed?
- Locksmith licensing varies by state. Some states license or register locksmiths through a state agency, others leave it to cities or counties, and some do not regulate the trade at all. Check with your own state or city. One Call Locksmiths is a referral service that arranges the visit and holds no licence itself.
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