About this service

A deadbolt is one of the most effective home security upgrades you can make, and the installation has to be done right for it to work. The bolt needs to extend fully, the strike plate needs to be properly secured to the door frame, and the door alignment needs to be correct. We install single and double cylinder deadbolts on exterior doors, and we will tell you if your door frame needs reinforcement to match.

What you get

Significant improvement in door security
Proper boring and alignment
Strike plate secured to stud framing
Works alongside existing knob or handle lock
Immediate upgrade, no waiting

Related Services

Residential Locksmith

Locked out of your home, need a lock rekeyed, or want a smart lock installed? Our residential locksmiths handle lockouts, rekeying, lock replacement and repair, deadbolts, smart locks, and gate locks.

Lock Rekeying

Change who can open your lock without replacing the hardware. Rekeying is fast, affordable, and the smart move when you move or lose a key.

Lock Replacement

Old, damaged, or low-quality locks put your home at risk. We replace residential locks with properly installed hardware that actually works.

Common Causes of Deadbolt Installation

A door with only a knob lock

Many exterior doors, especially on older homes, were never fitted with a deadbolt at all, leaving the knob lock as the only line of defense.

Insurance or safety recommendation

Homeowners insurance and general security guidance often call for a deadbolt on every exterior entry point.

Upgrading after a break-in nearby

A break-in on the street or in the neighborhood is one of the most common triggers for adding or upgrading a deadbolt.

Replacing a low-grade deadbolt

A builder-grade deadbolt that was cheaply made can be swapped for a higher security grade without replacing the whole door.

Adding a second entry door

New additions, converted garages, or sunrooms often need a properly installed deadbolt when they didn't have one before.

Wanting single-key convenience

Some homeowners add a deadbolt specifically so the same key operates both the knob lock and the deadbolt.

A newly purchased home without a deadbolt on a side or back door

Front doors often get a deadbolt during construction, but secondary entry points are sometimes overlooked and only addressed later.

A homeowner replacing a failed self-installed deadbolt

A prior DIY attempt that never aligned correctly is a common reason for a professional install request afterward.

Wanting to match deadbolt finish to newly updated door hardware

A remodel that changes handle finishes often prompts a matching deadbolt swap at the same time.

The Risks of DIY Deadbolt Installation

Incorrect boring can weaken the door

Drilling the deadbolt hole off-center or at the wrong depth can compromise the structural integrity of the door itself.

Strike plate secured with short screws

The screws that come in most retail kits are too short to bite into the door frame stud, which is one of the most common reasons deadbolts fail to resist force.

Poor alignment between bolt and strike plate

Even a small misalignment can prevent the bolt from throwing fully, which looks secure but isn't.

Choosing the wrong backset or door thickness spec

Deadbolts are sized for specific door dimensions, and the wrong spec leads to a loose or gapped installation.

Voiding manufacturer warranties with improper installation

Some lock manufacturers require professional installation documentation to honor their security guarantee.

Splitting the door around the bore hole

Drilling too aggressively or without the right bit can crack or split the door material around the new hole.

Using a hole saw not sized for the door thickness

A slightly oversized or undersized bore leaves the deadbolt loose or unable to seat properly in the door.

Skipping a test of the door under real closing force

A deadbolt that throws smoothly by hand can still bind when the door is closed at normal speed if alignment wasn't checked under that condition.

Forgetting to check clearance with a storm door or weatherstripping

New deadbolt hardware sometimes interferes with an existing storm door or weatherstripping, which isn't obvious until the door is closed.

What Affects the Cost

Deadbolt grade and finish
Single vs. double cylinder
Whether new boring is needed or the door is pre-bored
Whether the door frame needs reinforcement

Palmetto State Locksmith vs. DIY vs. Dealership

Comparison of Palmetto State Locksmith, DIY, and dealership/alternative options for Deadbolt Installation
Palmetto State Locksmith	DIY	Dealership / Alternative
Proper boring, alignment, and reinforced strike plate	Pre-bored doors make DIY installation possible, but alignment is easy to get wrong	Big-box stores sell the hardware but don't install or verify strike plate strength
Reinforced screws into stud framing	Retail kits often include undersized screws	Not offered as a service
Assessment of whether the frame needs reinforcement	Frame condition is easy to overlook without experience	Not offered as a service

How it works

1
Assess the door
We look at door material, frame condition, and existing hardware before recommending anything.
2
Hardware selection
We walk you through deadbolt options: grade, finish, and single vs. double cylinder.
3
Installation
Proper boring, alignment, and strike plate secured with 3-inch screws for maximum hold.
4
Function test
Full test of throw, alignment, and smooth key operation before we finish.