Smart Lock Installation in Port St. Lucie

Why Port St. Lucie Homeowners Are Switching to Smart Locks

Your kid lost his house key. Again. That's the third one this year.

Your Airbnb guest is arriving at 8 PM, but you're stuck at work in Stuart. Can't meet them. Can't hand them a key.

You're lying in bed wondering if you locked the front door. You'd have to get up, walk downstairs, and check. Or you could just look at your phone.

That's why people get smart locks. Not because they're fancy. Because they solve real problems.

I'm Doctor Lockout. Been installing smart locks across Port St. Lucie since 2009. Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, Kwikset Halo, August, all of them. I'll install it, set up your app, program your codes, and make sure it works before I leave.

What Can Smart Locks Actually Do?

Unlock With Your Phone

Tap a button on your phone. Your door unlocks. No fumbling for keys when your hands are full of groceries.

Some locks auto-unlock when you walk up to the door. They detect your phone via Bluetooth. You just grab the handle and walk in.

Create Temporary Access Codes

House cleaner comes every Tuesday at 10 AM? Give her a code that only works Tuesdays from 9-11 AM.

Airbnb guest checking out Sunday? Their code stops working at checkout time automatically. You don't have to chase them for keys.

Lock/Unlock From Anywhere

You're at work in Fort Pierce. Your kid texted—he got home from school but forgot his key. You unlock the door from your phone. He's inside. Crisis averted.

Or you're lying in bed wondering if you locked up. Check your phone. See that the door's unlocked. Lock it from bed. Done.

Get Alerts When Someone Uses the Door

Your phone buzzes. "Front door unlocked at 3:47 PM - Sarah's code." Now you know your daughter got home from school safe.

You get an alert at 2 AM. "Front door unlocked." Nobody should be coming home at 2 AM. You check the camera. It's your drunk neighbor at the wrong house. Problem caught immediately.

Voice Control (Alexa, Google, Siri)

"Alexa, lock the front door." Done.

"Hey Google, is my door locked?" "Yes, your front door is locked."

It's convenient. Kids love it. And it actually works.

What Smart Locks Do We Install?

Schlage Encode & Encode Plus

This is what I recommend to most people. Built-in Wi-Fi. No hub needed. Works with Alexa and Google. Touchscreen keypad. Grade 1 security (highest rating).

The Encode Plus adds Apple Home Key support. You can unlock your door by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch to the lock. It's slick.

Battery lasts 6+ months. Weather-resistant. Works great in Florida's humidity. Cost: $200-300 for the lock plus $150-200 installation.

Yale Assure Lock 2

Yale's been making locks since 1840. They know what they're doing.

The Assure Lock 2 is slim and modern. Works with Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee (depending on which module you get). Integrates with Ring, ADT, and smart home systems.

Has "DoorSense" technology—knows if your door's actually closed or just locked. Smart feature most locks don't have.

Kwikset Halo & Halo Touch

Kwikset's the budget-friendly option. Not cheap quality—just cheaper price.

Halo has Wi-Fi, touchscreen keypad, works with Alexa and Google. Halo Touch adds fingerprint recognition. Your finger is your key.

It's got SmartKey technology—you can rekey it yourself in seconds if needed. Great for rental properties.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

This one's different. It installs over your existing deadbolt. You keep your current lock and keys. August just adds smart features on top.

Perfect for renters. No drilling. Installs in 10 minutes with a screwdriver. Auto-unlock when you arrive home. Activity log shows who came and went.

Works with Ring doorbells. You can unlock the door for delivery drivers from your doorbell camera.

Why You Need Professional Installation (Not DIY)

Alignment Matters Way More Than You Think

Smart locks are picky. If the deadbolt rubs even slightly against the strike plate, it'll drain the battery in a week instead of six months.

I've fixed dozens of DIY smart lock installs where the battery kept dying. Problem? The lock was installed 1/16 inch off-center. It worked, but the motor had to strain every time. Battery dead in 10 days.

I install it level and centered. Zero friction. Battery lasts its full rated life.

We Handle the Tech Setup (That's Half the Job)

Installing the hardware is easy. Getting it connected to Wi-Fi, paired to your phone, integrated with Alexa, and programmed with your access codes? That's where most people get stuck.

I do this every day. I know the tricks. I know why your phone won't pair. I know how to get Alexa to recognize it. I know how to set up temporary codes that expire automatically.

You'll have a fully working smart lock before I leave. Not "mostly working and I'll figure out the app later." Fully working.

We Check Your Door First

Sometimes your door's warped. Sometimes the frame's out of square. Sometimes the strike plate's misaligned.

Smart locks can't fix bad doors. If your door's sticking or not closing right, I'll tell you before installation. We can fix it first, then install the smart lock.

Real Smart Lock Installations We've Done

The Airbnb in St. Lucie West

Owner has two vacation rentals. Was meeting every guest to hand them keys. Nightmare scheduling.

I installed Schlage Encode on both properties. Now he creates temporary codes for each guest. Texts them the code before arrival. Code expires at checkout automatically.

He hasn't met a guest in person in 6 months. Saved him probably 30 hours of driving around.

The Family in Tradition With Three Kids

Kids kept losing keys. Dad was getting new keys cut every month. Final straw: youngest kid lost his key at school. Someone found it with their address on the key tag.

Installed Yale Assure Lock 2. Now each kid has their own PIN code. If someone loses their code (how?), just change it in the app. No more $50 lockout calls at midnight.

The Work-From-Home Setup

Woman works from home in Port St. Lucie. Gets Amazon deliveries daily. Doesn't want to get up from her desk 5 times a day to let drivers leave packages inside.

Installed Kwikset Halo with Amazon Key integration. Now Amazon drivers get a one-time code when they arrive with her package. They unlock the door, put the package inside, lock it back. She watches via Ring camera. Zero porch pirates.

How Much Does Smart Lock Installation Cost?

Installation alone (you provide the lock): $100-150.

Lock + installation packages:

Schlage Encode: $350-450 total (lock + install + setup)

Yale Assure Lock 2: $325-425 total

Kwikset Halo: $275-375 total

Kwikset Halo Touch (fingerprint): $350-450 total

August Smart Lock: $250-325 total

That includes full installation, app setup, Wi-Fi connection, programming all your codes, and testing every feature.

Will Smart Locks Work in Florida's Heat and Humidity?

Yes, if you buy the right one. Not all smart locks handle Florida weather well.

I recommend weather-sealed touchscreens (not regular keypads that can corrode). Schlage and Yale both have great weather resistance. Kwikset's good too.

August doesn't have a keypad exposed to weather, so it's fine.

Cheap Amazon smart locks from brands you've never heard of? Those die in Florida humidity within 6 months. I've replaced dozens. Don't waste your money.

Battery life's also affected by heat. In Florida sun, batteries drain 20-30% faster than the manufacturer's rating. So a "12-month battery life" lock will last 8-10 months here. Still fine. Just know it going in.

What If My Wi-Fi Goes Out?

The lock still works. You just can't control it remotely.

Keypad codes work offline. Physical keys work (if your lock has a key backup). Fingerprints work (on fingerprint models).

You lose remote access and phone notifications until Wi-Fi's back. But you're not locked out.

That's why I usually recommend keeping the physical key backup. Hide a key at a neighbor's house or in a lockbox. Just in case.

Can You Integrate Smart Locks With Security Systems?

Yes. Most smart locks work with Ring, ADT, SimpliSafe, and other security systems.

You can set up automations. Door unlocks? Disarm the alarm. Door locks at 10 PM? Turn on the alarm.

I've done whole smart home setups where the lock talks to the alarm, the lights, and the thermostat. You unlock your front door, the lights turn on, the AC kicks on, and the alarm disarms. All automatic.

Smart Locks for Rental Properties

If you're a landlord or run Airbnbs, smart locks are a game changer.

For long-term rentals: Give each tenant their own code. When they move out, delete their code. No rekeying. No new keys. Just delete and create new codes.

For Airbnb/VRBO: Create temporary codes that expire at checkout. No key handoffs. No guests keeping keys "by accident." No lockboxes that neighbors complain about.

I've set up entire rental portfolios with smart locks. Landlords love them.

Common Questions About Smart Locks

How long do batteries last?

6-12 months depending on usage. You get a low battery warning 2-3 weeks before they die. Plenty of time to swap them.

Most smart locks use 4 AA batteries. Keep a pack in your house and you're fine.

Are smart locks secure?

Yes. Major brands use 128-bit AES encryption (same as banks). They're harder to hack than traditional locks are to pick.

Plus, smart locks log every entry. If someone breaks in, you've got a record of exactly when and how. Regular locks don't tell you anything.

Can I still use a physical key?

Depends on the model. Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, and Kwikset Halo all have physical key backups. August works over your existing deadbolt, so your old keys still work.

Some keypad-only models don't have keys. I don't usually recommend those unless you're 100% comfortable being fully electronic.

What if someone steals my phone?

Your phone's passcode/Face ID protects the app. If someone steals your phone, they can't unlock your door without your passcode.

Plus, you can disable your phone's access from another device. Log into the smart lock app on a computer or another phone, revoke access. Done.

Do smart locks fit all doors?

Most standard doors, yes. They fit door thicknesses from 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" with a 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset.

I'll measure your door before installation. If it's non-standard, I'll tell you which locks will fit.

Can I install multiple smart locks on one house?

Absolutely. Most people start with the front door. Then they add the back door, side door, garage entry.

All the locks show up in one app. You can lock/unlock all of them at once or individually.

Service Areas for Smart Lock Installation

We install smart 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

Ready to Ditch Your Keys?

Smart locks aren't about showing off. They're about making your life easier.

No more digging through your purse for keys. No more "did I lock the door?" anxiety. No more hiding keys under fake rocks that everybody knows about.

Just tap your phone. Or say "Alexa, lock the door." Or type your code. You're in.

I'll help you pick the right lock, install it perfectly, set up everything, and teach you how to use it. You'll be fully operational before I leave.

Related Locksmith Services

• Lock Installation - Traditional deadbolts and door hardware
• Lock Rekeying - Change keys without replacing locks
• Residential Locksmith - All home lock services
• 24/7 Emergency Service - Locked out? We'll come now