Lock Installation Service in Port St. Lucie

Why Lock Installation Matters (And Why DIY Usually Goes Wrong)

You bought a deadbolt at Home Depot. Instructions say "easy install." Two hours later, your door won't close. The lock sticks. The key barely turns.

Here's what happened: The bore hole's not quite centered. The strike plate's 1/8 inch too low. The deadbolt doesn't line up with the frame. Close enough isn't good enough with locks.

I'm Doctor Lockout. Been installing locks in Port St. Lucie since 2009. I've fixed hundreds of DIY installations that seemed fine until they weren't.

Let me install it right the first time. Takes me 20 minutes. Works perfectly for 20 years.

What Types of Locks Do We Install?

Deadbolts (Single and Double Cylinder)

The workhorse of home security. Single-cylinder deadbolts use a key outside, thumb turn inside. Double-cylinder uses keys on both sides.

I install mostly Grade 1 deadbolts—Schlage B60N, Kwikset 980, Yale B1L. These are the heavy-duty ones that actually stop break-ins. Not the $15 builder-grade junk that breaks the first time you use it.

Installation time: 20-30 minutes. Cost: $100-150 including hardware.

Smart Locks (Keyless Entry)

Want to unlock your door with your phone? That's a smart lock. Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, Kwikset Halo.

These need precise installation because electronics don't forgive misalignment. If the bolt rubs even slightly, it'll drain the battery in a week instead of six months.

I also set up the app, pair it to your phone, and program your entry codes. You're fully operational before I leave.

Installation time: 45-60 minutes. Cost: $150-250 plus lock hardware.

High-Security Locks

Had a break-in? These locks are pick-resistant and drill-resistant. Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Assa Abloy.

They're expensive—$200-400 just for the lock. But if someone tried to break in once, they'll try again. These locks stop them cold.

Door Handlesets and Combo Locks

Front entry handlesets with a deadbolt above and a handle below. Popular brands: Schlage Camelot, Baldwin Estate series, Kwikset Signature.

These look great but they're tricky to install. Two separate bores have to line up perfectly. I've installed probably 500 of these. They're worth doing right.

Commercial Door Hardware

Panic bars, electric strikes, magnetic locks, commercial-grade deadbolts. If you're opening a business in Port St. Lucie, you need different hardware than residential.

Commercial codes are stricter. I make sure everything's up to code before you open.

Why Professional Installation Beats DIY Every Time

We Get the Alignment Perfect

A lock has to align within 1/16 of an inch or it'll stick. DIY installs rarely get this right.

I use a jig and a level. The bore is centered. The latch lines up with the strike plate. The key turns smooth every single time.

We Reinforce the Strike Plate

The strike plate is where the deadbolt goes into the frame. It's your actual security—not the lock itself.

Builder-grade strike plates use two 1/2-inch screws into soft pine. One kick and they're through. I install 3-inch screws that go into the stud. Box strike plates that reinforce the frame. Now your door can take a hit.

We Check Your Door and Frame

Sometimes your door's warped. Sometimes the frame's out of square. Sometimes there's termite damage you can't see.

I catch this stuff before installation. If your frame needs shimming or your door needs planing, I tell you. No surprises.

We Handle the Tech Setup (Smart Locks)

Smart locks are finicky. Wi-Fi won't connect. App won't pair. Battery compartment's upside down somehow.

I deal with this stuff every day. I've installed every major smart lock brand. I know the tricks. You don't have to spend two hours on tech support.

How Lock Installation Actually Works

Step 1: Measure Everything

I measure your door thickness, backset (distance from door edge to lock center), and bore size. Most doors are standard, but mobile homes and custom doors aren't.

Step 2: Mark and Drill

If it's a new installation, I mark the exact spot, drill the bore hole (2-1/8 inch), and drill the edge hole for the latch. Level and centered every time.

Step 3: Install the Lock

I mount the exterior side, then the interior. Screws go in straight. Everything's tight but not over-torqued.

Step 4: Strike Plate and Reinforcement

I chisel out the mortise for the strike plate. Then I install a reinforced strike with 3-inch screws into the stud. This is what actually stops break-ins.

Step 5: Test Everything

I test the lock from both sides. Key turns smooth. Deadbolt extends and retracts without catching. Door closes without forcing it.

For smart locks, I connect to Wi-Fi, set up the app, and make sure every feature works.

Real Installation Jobs We've Done This Month

The New Construction Home in Tradition

Family moved into a new build. Builder installed cheap Defiant locks from Home Depot. Keys barely worked.

I replaced all five exterior locks with Schlage B60N deadbolts. Rekeyed them all to match one key. Total time: 90 minutes. They've got Grade 1 security now instead of builder-grade garbage.

The Smart Lock Upgrade in St. Lucie West

Homeowner wanted keyless entry. Kids kept losing keys. House cleaner needed temporary access.

Installed Schlage Encode on the front door and side garage entry. Set up temporary codes for the cleaner that expire weekly. Now she just texts a new code every Monday. Problem solved.

The Break-In Repair in Port St. Lucie

Someone kicked in their back door. Frame was splintered. Lock was dangling.

I repaired the frame with a steel reinforcement kit. Installed a new Grade 1 deadbolt with a 3-inch strike plate box. Reinforced the hinges too—break-in guys always miss that. Now that door's the strongest part of the house.

How Much Does Lock Installation Cost?

Installation alone (you provide the lock): $75-100 per lock.

Installation with standard deadbolt: $125-175 total.

Smart lock installation with setup: $150-250 plus lock cost.

High-security lock installation: $200-350 plus lock cost.

Full handleset installation: $175-250.

I'll give you an exact quote over the phone. No hidden fees. No surprises.

Can You Install Locks on Metal Doors? Fiberglass Doors?

Yep. Wood, metal, fiberglass, steel—doesn't matter. Each material needs different techniques.

Metal doors: Slower drilling. Sharp metal bits. Can't force anything or you'll dent the door.

Fiberglass doors: Even slower drilling. These crack if you rush it. But once it's done, they hold locks great.

I've installed locks on everything from hollow-core interior doors to 2-inch solid mahogany front doors. It's all the same process, just different tools.

What If My Door Already Has a Lock?

I can replace it. Takes 15-20 minutes instead of 30 because the holes are already there.

But I'll check the existing bore first. If the old lock was installed crooked, I might need to fill and re-drill. I'll tell you before I start.

Do I Need to Buy the Lock First?

Nope. I carry common locks in my van. Schlage, Kwikset, Yale. If you want something specific, I can pick it up on the way to you.

Or if you already bought the lock, I'm happy to install it. Just make sure you kept the receipt in case something's wrong with the hardware.

Common Questions About Lock Installation

How long does installation take?

Standard deadbolt: 20-30 minutes. Smart lock: 45-60 minutes including setup. Full door rekey and new lock install: 45 minutes.

Will installation damage my door?

Not if it's done right. I use the correct bit sizes. I don't force anything. Your door looks the same, just with a new lock.

Can you install locks on doors that aren't standard size?

Usually yes. I've installed locks on 1-inch hollow doors and 3-inch solid doors. Mobile home doors. Custom entry doors. If there's enough material to drill into, I can make it work.

Do you install locks on gates and sheds?

Yes. Padlock hasps, deadbolts, combination locks, electronic keypads. Gate hardware's different from door hardware, but I've got the tools.

What's the difference between Grade 1, 2, and 3 locks?

It's a security rating from ANSI/BHMA. Grade 1 is highest—commercial-grade, pick-resistant, tested to withstand 800,000 cycles. Grade 3 is builder-grade cheap stuff.

I recommend Grade 1 for front doors and any entry door you care about. Grade 2's fine for interior doors or low-traffic areas.

Should I get single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolts?

Single-cylinder (key outside, thumb turn inside) for most situations. Double-cylinder (key both sides) if you have a window near the door that someone could break and reach through.

But double-cylinder is a fire hazard if you can't find your key in an emergency. I usually talk people out of them unless there's a window right there.

Service Areas for Lock Installation

We install locks throughout Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast:

• Port St. Lucie
• Saint Lucie West
• Tradition
• Fort Pierce
• Jensen Beach
• Stuart
• Palm City
• Port Salerno
• Rio

Why Choose Doctor Lockout for Lock Installation?

I've installed thousands of locks. Every type. Every brand. Every door material.

I show up with the right tools. I install it level and tight. I test everything before I leave. And if something's not right with your door or frame, I'll tell you straight.

No upselling. No games. Just solid installation that works for years.

Related Locksmith Services

• Smart Lock Installation - Keyless entry and app control
• Lock Rekeying - Change keys without replacing locks
• Residential Locksmith - All home lock services
• 24/7 Emergency Service - Locked out? We'll come now