What does lock installation actually involve?
Lock installation means putting new hardware on a door that either has no lock, has a lock you want to upgrade, or has a prepared opening that needs a proper fit. It is different from rekeying, which changes the inside of a lock you already own, and different from repair, which fixes something that has stopped working. Installation is about getting the right lock onto the right door and making sure it works with that door every day for years.
That last part is where most problems start. A good lock on a poorly prepared door will bind, rattle or fail early. A bore that is slightly off, a strike plate set a little too shallow, a latch that does not line up with the frame: these are the small errors that turn a new lock into a daily annoyance. Door lock installation is mostly careful measuring and clean cutting, and the hardware is the easy part.
We install on wood, solid-core, steel, fiberglass and glass doors, on standard bores and on doors that need extra preparation. If you are not sure whether you need installation, rekeying or replacement, describe the door and what you want from it, and we will tell you plainly which one fits.
When do Hidden Hills homeowners need new lock installation?
Most installation calls come from a change to the property rather than an emergency. Hidden Hills has a lot of change happening at once: original ranch houses being rebuilt as larger custom homes, guest structures added, barns and outbuildings built out, and older doors replaced during remodels. Each of those creates a door that needs hardware.
Typical situations include:
- A new front door lock installation after a door is replaced or a main entry is rebuilt as part of a remodel.
- A new custom home where every exterior door needs a matched set of locks, often keyed alike so the family carries one key.
- A guest house, pool house or casita that was built without proper locking hardware, or fitted with builder-grade hardware you want to improve.
- A barn, tack room or storage outbuilding that has only a hasp and padlock and needs a real lock set.
- An upgrade from an old knob lock to a lever lock installation for easier handling, or to a deadbolt for stronger resistance.
- A move to keypad or smart entry on a door that currently uses a plain key.
How do we handle a lock installation, step by step?
We work the same careful way on every job, whether it is one door or a whole house. Here is how a typical installation goes.
- You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the door type, how many doors, what you want the lock to do, and whether there is anything unusual such as glass, a very thick door or a custom frame. A real person answers, at any hour.
- We agree on the right hardware for the door and the way you use it. If you already bought the lock, tell us the brand and model so we can confirm it suits the door before we arrive.
- We come to the property in a mobile van carrying common lock sets, strike plates, and prep tools, so most jobs finish in a single visit.
- We inspect the door and frame first: thickness, bore size, edge condition, alignment, and whether the frame can hold a strike securely. Any problem we find gets explained before we cut anything.
- We prepare the door, setting the bore and latch mortise cleanly, and fit the lock so the bolt throws smoothly into the strike with no force.
- We reinforce what needs reinforcing. On exterior doors that often means a proper strike plate with longer screws that reach the framing, not just the thin trim.
- We test the lock repeatedly with the door open and closed, check how it handles in warm conditions, and cut and test every key.
- We walk you through the lock, hand over the keys, and explain any programming if it is a keypad or smart model.
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We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Which types of locks do we install?
The right lock depends on the door, the risk, and how often it is used. Here is what we fit most, and what each is good for.
- Entry deadbolts: the backbone of security lock installation on a house. Our page on deadbolt installation in Hidden Hills covers grades, bolt length and strike reinforcement in more detail.
- Lever locks: lever lock installation suits anyone who wants easy handling, including family members with arthritis or hands full of groceries. Levers are common on interior and guest-house doors and are widely used where accessibility matters.
- Mortise locks: mortise lock installation means cutting a deep pocket into the door edge to hold a heavy, integrated lock body. They are found on older and high-end doors, and on many custom entry sets. They need careful cutting and a door thick enough to take them.
- Keypad and smart locks: convenient for households with several people, staff or visitors who need access. See smart lock installation for what we look at before recommending one.
- High-security cylinders and locks: for doors where pick and drill resistance and controlled key duplication matter. Details are on our high-security locks page.
- Standard knob and handle sets: still appropriate for interior and low-risk doors, fitted square and tight so they do not loosen.
How much does lock installation cost in Hidden Hills?
We do not quote numbers on a web page because the honest answer depends on the door in front of us. What we can do is tell you exactly what moves the price, so you can judge any quote you get from anyone.
The main factors are:
- The lock itself: a basic deadbolt, a heavy-duty high-security cylinder, a mortise body and a smart lock are very different products.
- The door: a standard prepared door is quick, while a thick custom door, a glass door or a door with no existing bore needs more work.
- Preparation: reinforcing the frame, replacing a damaged strike area or filling an old bore adds time.
- Quantity: several doors keyed alike on one visit are more efficient than separate visits.
- Keying: custom key systems, restricted keyways and extra keys all add to the total.
- Timing and travel: after-hours work and the drive to the property can be part of the price, and we will say so up front.
Is rekeying or replacing a lighter-cost option?
Sometimes. If your current locks are sound and you simply want new keys, lock rekeying is usually the more economical route because it reuses hardware you already own. If the lock is worn, damaged or the wrong type for the door, lock replacement or a fresh installation is the better spend. We will tell you honestly which one suits your door, even if it is the smaller job.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What does lock installation look like on a Hidden Hills estate?
Hidden Hills is a fully gated and guarded city of large-lot equestrian estates, and that shapes how installation work gets done. Properties often have a long private driveway, their own driveway gate, and a mix of buildings: the main house, guest structures, a barn and sometimes more. A single property can need a front door lock, a guest-house set, a tack-room lock and gate hardware, all on one visit.
Our work here spans the whole city, including the Long Valley Road corridor near the main gate, the Round Meadow Road area, and the Jed Smith Road area, as well as properties near the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space on the west edge and near The Commons at Calabasas on the south edge. Everything in the city falls under ZIP code 91302. The city sits about 24 miles from our Westwood storefront, and our mobile vans come to you.
A scenario we see often is a large single-family estate that wants a high-security deadbolt and smart lock fitted to its main entries. On a big custom door, the right choice depends on the door thickness, the finish, and whether several family members and staff need different access. We help match the lock to all of that, and we keep the finish consistent across the house.
Another is barn, tack-room and outbuilding work on bridle-trail lots. These doors take more punishment than a house door: dust, moisture from animals and cleaning, and plain wear. We favor sturdy, weather-tolerant hardware and secure mounting that suits wood and metal outbuilding doors, not just house-grade sets.
Climate matters too. Hidden Hills has hot, dry summers and occasional Santa Ana winds, and sun exposure and heat cycling stress exterior hardware. For exterior doors we choose finishes and mechanisms that tolerate sun and temperature swings, and we set the latch so it does not bind when a door swells or shifts. If your concern is the estate entry rather than a door, see our page on gate lock repair, and for how we reach you, mobile locksmith service.
Do you handle commercial lock installation too?
Yes. Commercial lock installation uses different hardware and different rules than a house does: heavier cylinders, door closers, exit devices, and sometimes keyed systems for multiple staff. If you run a business from a property or need locks at an office or shop, our commercial locksmith work covers that. This page stays focused on home and estate locks, so you get specific guidance rather than a generic overview.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for installation?
We have been in business since 1987, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees our work. We run a real storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and send our own mobile vans, so you are dealing with one company, not a dispatcher who passes the call to whoever is free. Whoever arrives works for us.
We also tell you the honest scope. If a door needs reinforcement, we say so. If rekeying would do the job, we say that too. We explain the work and the price drivers before we start, so there are no surprises when we finish.
One more thing worth knowing: California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for that license number before they start work. It is a reasonable question and a good habit, whoever you hire.
To arrange an installation or ask a question first, call (213) 577-1366. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
How should you prepare before we arrive?
A little preparation makes the visit smoother and faster. Here is what helps.
- Make sure the door can be reached and the area around it is clear.
- If you bought the lock yourself, keep it in its box with all the parts and instructions.
- Note how many keys you want and whether you want locks keyed alike.
- Tell us about any door that sticks, swells in warm weather or has been replaced recently.
- For keypad or smart locks, have your Wi-Fi or phone details ready if the lock connects to them.
- Let us know about any gate or entry steps that affect how we reach the property.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a lock I bought myself?
Often yes. Tell us the brand and model when you call so we can confirm it fits your door and suits the way you use it. If the lock is the wrong size or type, we will say so before cutting anything.
How long does a lock installation take?
It depends on the door and the lock. A straightforward deadbolt on a prepared door is a short job, while a mortise lock, a thick custom door or several doors take longer. We will give you a realistic idea once we know the door.
Do you install locks on barns and outbuildings?
Yes. Barn, tack-room and guest-structure doors are common on Hidden Hills lots. We choose hardware that handles dust, moisture and heavy use, and we mount it securely to the type of door you have.
What is the difference between lock installation and rekeying?
Installation fits new hardware onto a door. Rekeying changes the internal pins of a lock you already have so old keys stop working. If your locks are sound and you only want new keys, rekeying is usually the more economical route.
Is a mortise lock worth it for a front door?
They are strong and durable, and common on older or high-end entry doors, but the door must be thick enough and the work needs careful cutting. We look at your door first and tell you whether a mortise lock suits it.
Can you match new locks to the finish on my existing hardware?
We can usually match or coordinate finishes across a house, which matters on custom estates. Tell us what you have now and what look you want, and we will recommend sets that line up.
Do you come to Hidden Hills at night?
Yes. Our phone line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For scheduled installation we suit your convenience, and for urgent needs call (213) 577-1366 and we will tell you what is possible.
How do I know a locksmith is legitimate?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask for the license number, check that the company has a real address, and be wary of anyone who will not explain the work or the price factors before starting.
More locksmith help in Hidden Hills
Lock Installation near Hidden Hills
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.