Deadbolt Installation

Most people picture deadbolt installation as a simple swap, but a proper installation is a multi-step process that determines whether the lock performs as the manufacturer intended for years to come. Our technicians begin by assessing the door itself — thickness, material (wood, fiberglass, steel), existing bore hole diameter, and the condition of the frame and jamb. A deadbolt installed into a weak jamb or a misaligned frame is only as strong as its weakest link, which is why we inspect and, where needed, reinforce the strike plate with long-throw screws that anchor into the structural framing behind the door casing. This is a detail that rushed or predatory locksmiths — those accused of overcharging customers for incomplete work — routinely skip, leaving homeowners with a false sense of security.

After confirming the door prep, we select the appropriate lock from our inventory of Grade 1 and Grade 2 deadbolts from trusted hardware brands such as Schlage and Kwikset. We fit the lock, align the bolt with the strike plate opening, test the throw length and resistance, and verify the key turns smoothly without binding. Where the existing bore is incompatible, we use a hole saw to create a clean, damage-free opening sized precisely for the new hardware. The result is a deadbolt that operates the way it was designed to — with the full bolt extending deep into the frame on every lock cycle.

Not every exterior door calls for a standard cylindrical deadbolt. Older Hillsborough homes — particularly the Tudor and Colonial Revival estates built along the hillside streets above Skyfarm Drive — often feature thick solid-wood doors that were originally fitted with a mortise lock. A mortise lock is set into a cavity routed into the door's edge, providing a more integrated and mechanically robust connection between the lock body and the door itself. Our technicians are experienced with mortise lock service and installation, including sourcing the correct case dimensions and backset for legacy door preparations that no longer match off-the-shelf hardware.

For apartment entries, gate doors, and outward-swinging exterior doors where a conventional deadbolt's bolt would be exposed, a jimmy proof deadbolt installation is often the smarter choice. Jimmy proof deadbolts interlock with a surface-mounted strike, making it extremely difficult to pry or shimmy the door open even when the gap between the door and frame is wider than ideal. If you are unsure which lock type fits your door's geometry and threat profile, our technician will assess the situation on-site and explain the options in plain language before recommending a path forward.

When you search for deadbolt installation near me, you want a technician who arrives promptly, carries the hardware you need, and completes the job cleanly — not a referral chain that routes your call through a distant call center before dispatching a subcontractor you know nothing about. Burlingame Locksmith is a local, mobile operation. Our technicians are based in the area, familiar with Hillsborough's gated driveways and varied door configurations, and equipped with a vehicle stocked with locks, strike plates, door reinforcement hardware, and the tools for door knob lock replacement or new installation alongside any deadbolt work. There is no trip to a hardware store mid-job.

We also recognize that security work sometimes cannot wait for business hours. A door knob lock that is spinning freely, a deadbolt that was damaged during a break-in attempt, or a recently purchased home where you need all exterior locks rekeyed or replaced before you move in — these situations call for an emergency locksmith who answers the phone at 2 a.m. just as readily as at 2 p.m. Our 24/7 availability is not a marketing phrase; it reflects the reality that lock problems do not observe office hours. Call (650) 405-3068 any time and you will reach a live person who can dispatch a technician to your Hillsborough address.

We understand that concern about overcharging is real — predatory pricing in the locksmith industry has received significant media attention, and homeowners rightly approach unfamiliar service providers with caution. Our approach is straightforward: when you call, we gather the details of your job — the type of lock (standard deadbolt, mortise lock, jimmy proof deadbolt, commercial locksmith-grade hardware), the door and frame condition, your location relative to our dispatch point, and whether parts need to be sourced for unusual specifications. From those details, we provide a firm, itemized price before any work begins. You decide whether to proceed. There are no surprise line items added after the job is done.

Several factors legitimately affect what deadbolt installation costs: the grade and brand of the lock selected, whether door prep modifications are required (new bore, reinforcement, frame repair), the time of day (after-hours and weekend service reflects the real cost of 24/7 availability), travel distance, and the number of doors being serviced in a single visit. A single standard replacement on a pre-prepped door is a different scope than fitting a mortise lock into a virgin door edge. We explain each factor, and you have full information before committing. Our technicians are insured, and the work is performed by trained professionals — not day laborers hired from an anonymous platform.