What does a proper lock installation involve?
Installing a lock sounds like a ten-minute job: drill, screw, done. It rarely works out that way. A lock is only as good as the door it sits in. The bore has to be the right size and square to the door edge. The latch has to meet the strike plate cleanly. The strike has to be anchored into the framing, not just the thin jamb trim. The door also has to close without being slammed. When any one of those is off, even an expensive lock feels gritty, sticks, or gives way to a hard shoulder against the door.
At Wilshire Lock & Key, lock installation means fitting a new lock where there wasn't one, upgrading hardware that is worn or weak, or putting a lock on a new or modified door. That covers door lock installation on front doors, back and side doors, patio doors, garage entry doors and commercial doors. If you only want different keys on a lock that works fine, that is a separate job, and we will say so rather than sell you hardware you don't need.
When do you need new lock installation instead of a rekey or replacement?
People often call asking for one thing when they need another, so it helps to sort this out first. New lock installation is the right call when the door has no suitable lock, when the existing hardware is a weak or outdated type, or when the door itself has changed. A new door, a door you've cut down, or a door moved to a different opening all qualify.
If the lock works well and you just want to cut off access for old keys, a lock rekey is usually the more economical route. If the lock is damaged, failing or mismatched across the house, a lock replacement swaps like for like with less preparation. Installation is the bigger job, because it can involve preparing the door itself.
- Install new when a door has no lock, or the lock is not the right type for how the door is used.
- Install new when you are adding a second point of security, such as a separate deadbolt above a knob set.
- Install new when a door has been replaced, refinished heavily, or modified so the old holes no longer fit.
- Rekey instead when the hardware is sound and the only concern is who holds keys.
- Replace instead when the lock is worn or broken but the door preparation is already correct.
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Call (213) 577-1366Which types of locks do we install?
The right lock depends on the door, how it's used and who uses it. These are the types we are asked to fit most.
- Front door lock installation: usually a keyed deadbolt paired with a handle set, knob or lever, fitted so the latch and bolt both line up with the strike. The front door takes the most daily wear, so alignment matters more here than anywhere else.
- Lever lock installation: lever handles are easier on hands, which is why they suit households with older family members or anyone who carries groceries in. They come as passage, privacy and keyed entry sets, and sturdier versions are common on commercial doors.
- Mortise lock installation: a mortise lock sits in a deep rectangular pocket cut into the door edge instead of two round holes. Many older doors and many commercial doors use them. If the pocket already exists we match the hardware to it. If it doesn't, we check whether the door is thick and solid enough to take one before cutting.
- Security lock installation: higher-grade deadbolts, reinforced strike plates and longer screws into the framing. For restricted keyways and tougher cylinders, see our page on high-security locks.
- Residential lock installation beyond the front door: back doors, sliding-door hardware, side-yard doors and garage entry doors. Each has its own latch type and clearance, so we don't treat them as the same job.
- Commercial lock installation: storefront, office and back-of-house doors with hardware rated for heavy daily use. Details are on our commercial locksmith page.
How we handle a lock installation, step by step
Here is how a typical job runs, whether it's a single front door or several doors across a property.
- You call (213) 577-1366, any hour. Tell us the door type (wood, metal, fiberglass or glass), what is on it now, and what you want. Photos help if you can send them.
- We talk through lock options for that door, including grade, finish, handing and whether the door can take what you have in mind. If you have already bought a lock, tell us the make and model so we can check it fits.
- On arrival we inspect the door, frame and strike area before touching anything. We check for swelling, gaps, sag and hinge wear, because a lock fitted to a door that rubs will fail early.
- We mark and prepare the door using a template, drill the face and edge bores with the correct hole saw and bit, or cut the mortise pocket when the lock calls for it. We protect the finish as we work.
- We fit the latch, lock body and trim, and set the strike plate with long screws that reach the framing. Where the frame is soft or split, we reinforce it.
- We test from both sides with the door open and closed. We run every key, check that the bolt throws fully, and make sure the door closes without being pushed or lifted.
- We hand over the keys, show you how the lock operates, and tell you what to watch for as the door ages, such as seasonal sticking.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What affects the cost of lock installation in Santa Clarita?
We don't quote numbers on a web page because two doors that look alike can be very different jobs. What we can do is tell you exactly what moves the cost, so the figure we give you on the phone makes sense.
- The lock itself: grade, brand, finish and features. A basic keyed deadbolt and a high-security cylinder are different products at different cost.
- Door preparation: a door that already has correctly sized bores is quicker than one that needs new holes, a mortise pocket cut, or repair first.
- Door material and condition: solid wood, hollow-core, metal, fiberglass and glass each need a different approach, and a damaged edge adds work.
- Frame and strike reinforcement: a soft or cracked jamb needs strengthening to make the new lock worth fitting.
- How many doors: fitting several doors in one visit is usually more economical per door than separate trips.
- Commercial requirements: storefront, fire-rated or panic-equipped doors have constraints that affect hardware choice and labor.
- Time and travel: after-hours calls and the distance from our Westwood storefront to your address both play a part. Santa Clarita is a good drive from 10740 Wilshire Blvd, and we say so up front.
- Smart or electronic features: powered locks need extra setup, which we cover under smart lock installation.
What does lock installation look like across Santa Clarita?
Most of Santa Clarita's housing is post-1965 master-planned tract development, with big waves of single-family building from the 1980s through the 2000s across Saugus, Canyon Country and Valencia. Much of that stock still carries builder-standard hardware from its construction era. That is where a lot of our installation work starts: a front door set that has been in place since the house was built, now loose, worn or simply not what the owner wants. A new homeowner in Saugus or Canyon Country often begins by having locks rekeyed, then decides the original front door hardware should be replaced with a properly fitted deadbolt and handle set. We can do both in one visit, and we'll tell you which parts are worth changing.
Valencia has many of the city's townhomes and condos near Valencia Town Center. HOA-managed communities are the norm across the city, so before we swap exterior hardware we suggest checking your HOA's rules on finish and style. Smart lock installation in HOA communities such as Fair Oaks Ranch is a common request, and the same check applies.
Old Town Newhall holds the oldest housing stock, including early-20th-century bungalows. Older doors can be thinner or have been planed many times, and some may have mortise pockets or odd bore sizes. We inspect first and choose hardware the door can carry. Along Main Street in Old Town Newhall, storefront work often includes panic hardware, and our page on panic bar installation covers that.
Sand Canyon and Placerita Canyon carry larger ranch and equestrian properties, where outbuildings, barn doors and gates need locks suited to outdoor use. For work on existing gate hardware, see gate lock repair. We serve addresses across ZIP codes 91321, 91350, 91351, 91354, 91355, 91387 and 91390, and our mobile vans come to you.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366How do Santa Clarita's heat and dust affect new locks?
Santa Clarita is an inland valley with hot, dry summers that regularly climb above 95°F and wide swings between day and night. Wood doors and frames can swell and stick with the seasons. We keep that in mind when we fit hardware. A latch forced into alignment during one extreme can bind in the other, so we set clearances with the door's movement in mind and flag a door that already rubs.
Santa Ana wind events also carry dust, and it works into exterior lock mechanisms and gate hardware. For exterior doors we steer toward mechanisms and finishes that handle that environment. Once the lock is installed, a quick wipe of the keyway and a dry lubricant meant for locks will do more than oil-heavy sprays, which tend to hold dust. If a door starts sticking after a hot spell, tell us when you call, because planing or adjusting hinges may be needed before any lock work.
Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for installation?
We have been in business since 1987, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Santa Clarita included. We are one company with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and our own mobile service vans. There is no dispatch middleman between your call and the technician. David, our owner and lead technician, oversees the work. The phone at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith company for its license number before work starts. We think that's a fair question to ask of anyone who will be putting hardware on your door.
If you also need us for something outside installation, such as a lockout, see our Santa Clarita locksmith services page. For this job, we stay focused on getting the lock fitted well.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a lock I bought myself?
Often yes. Tell us the make and model when you call and we will confirm it suits your door. Some online locks have a bore, backset or latch size that doesn't match the door, and we would rather catch that before the day of the job.
Do you install locks on doors that have never had one?
Yes. A door with no lock needs bores drilled, a latch set and a strike plate mounted, and we check that the door and frame are solid enough to carry the hardware. If the door is thin or the frame is weak, we explain the options.
What is the difference between a mortise lock and a regular deadbolt?
A regular deadbolt goes into two round holes drilled in the door. A mortise lock sits in a deep rectangular pocket cut into the door edge and contains the latch and bolt in a single body. They are common on older and commercial doors, and they need a door thick enough to take the pocket.
Should I get a lever handle or a knob?
A lever is easier to operate with a full hand or an elbow, which helps people with limited grip or arthritis, and it suits commercial doors and accessibility needs. A knob is fine for many homes. Either one can be paired with a separate deadbolt on an exterior door.
Can you do both residential and commercial lock installation?
Yes. Residential and commercial lock installation use different hardware and often different door types. Storefront, office and back-of-house doors may need heavier-duty locks and sometimes panic or closer hardware. Tell us what kind of door it is when you call.
Will my HOA allow new exterior locks?
That depends on your HOA's rules. Many communities set limits on finish, style or visible hardware, so check with your association before choosing exterior locks. Santa Clarita has many HOA-managed communities, and we can work with whatever finish you are approved to use.
Can you install locks outside normal working hours?
Yes. Our line at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a door needs a new lock tonight, such as after a break-in damaged the hardware, call and we will talk through what's needed.
My door sticks in summer. Should I fix that before installing a lock?
Usually yes, or at the same time. Wood doors can swell in the heat, and a new lock fitted to a door that rubs will wear faster. We check clearances and hinge condition during the inspection, and tell you if the door needs adjusting first.
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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.