What does lock installation actually involve?
People often think installing a lock means swapping one piece of metal for another. On a door that was prepared for it, that can be true. On most doors it is not. A lock is only as good as the door it sits in, and the fit between the two decides whether it works smoothly for twenty years or sticks in the first hot week of summer.
A proper installation means checking the bore holes, the edge of the door, the thickness of the door, the backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the lock), and the strike plate and the frame that receives the bolt. It means making sure the bolt lines up with the strike without forcing it, and that the screws bite into solid framing and not just the thin door jamb. When any of those pieces is off, the lock may seem fine on day one and then fail when you need it.
We install new locks on doors of every type: wood, metal, glass-panel, and storefront doors. We do the work ourselves, from the first measurement to the final test of the key. This page covers what that looks like in South Pasadena, where a lot of the doors are older than the locks that go on them.
What kinds of lock installation do we handle?
Most calls fall into a few groups. Here is how we think about each one, so you can tell which fits your situation before you call.
- Front door lock installation: the main entry set, usually a handle set or knob with a separate deadbolt, chosen to match how the door is used and how it looks.
- Door lock installation for interior and secondary doors: back doors, side doors, garage entries, and doors that need a privacy or keyed lock.
- Residential lock installation for a whole home: new construction, a remodel, or a move where you want every exterior door on a matching, planned system.
- Security lock installation: higher-resistance deadbolts and reinforced strike plates for doors that need more than a standard builder-grade set.
- Mortise lock installation: fitting or restoring the recessed lock body found in many older doors, covered in more detail below.
- Lever lock installation: lever handles in place of round knobs, which are easier to operate with a full hand, a elbow, or arthritic fingers.
- Commercial lock installation: storefront, office, and back-of-house doors where the hardware has to handle daily traffic.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366How does a lock installation visit go, step by step?
No two doors are identical, but the sequence is the same. We will tell you what we find before we cut or drill anything.
- You call (213) 577-1366. A person answers, any hour of the day or night. Tell us the type of door, whether it is a new install or a replacement, and anything you already know about the lock you want.
- We ask a few practical questions: wood or metal, whether the door has existing holes, whether it is an exterior or interior door, and how many doors are involved. This helps us bring the right hardware in the van.
- A technician arrives and looks at the door before touching it. We check thickness, existing bores, edge prep, frame condition, and whether the door hangs square.
- We explain what we recommend and why. If the door needs a repair or a different lock than you first had in mind, we say so now, not halfway through the job.
- We install the lock: drilling or chiseling only what is needed, setting the latch and bolt, fitting the strike plate, and securing it with proper screws into solid framing.
- We test the work with the door open and closed, from inside and outside, with the key and the thumb turn. We watch for rubbing, sticking, or a bolt that does not fully throw.
- You get your keys and a quick walk-through of how the lock operates. If you want more copies or need the lock keyed to match others on the property, we can discuss that on the spot.
What about mortise lock installation on older doors?
Mortise locks are different from the cylindrical locks most hardware stores sell. A mortise lock body sits inside a pocket cut into the edge of the door, and the knob, key cylinder, and latch all connect to that body. They were common on doors built before the mid-twentieth century, and plenty are still in service today.
If your door already has a mortise pocket, the cleanest approach is usually to work with it. Modern mortise lock bodies and cylinders are still made, and fitting one correctly in an existing pocket keeps the door looking the way it was designed. If the old body is worn or the parts are missing, we can often replace the working parts while keeping the visible trim you want to preserve. That depends on the condition of the hardware, and we judge it case by case after looking at it in person.
If you are converting a door with a mortise pocket to a modern cylindrical lock or deadbolt, that is also possible, but it takes planning. The old pocket has to be dealt with, and a poor conversion leaves a weak spot in the door. We would rather talk through that with you than quietly leave a hole in the edge of a nice door.
Mortise work is slower and more precise than a standard install, and it is one reason we ask for details when you call. If you have a vintage lock you only want repaired or rekeyed rather than replaced, see our pages on lock rekeying and lock replacement, because the right answer may not be a new installation at all.
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?
We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the honest answer depends on the door and the hardware in front of us. Here is what actually moves the cost, so you can see why two jobs that sound the same can end up different.
The lock itself is the biggest variable. Builder-grade sets, mid-range residential sets, high-security cylinders, and mortise bodies sit in very different places. A lever set with a matching deadbolt costs differently than a single knob. Finish and brand also play a part.
The door is the second variable. A standard pre-drilled door is straightforward. A door that needs new bores, a repaired edge, a patched old hole, or a reinforced frame takes more labor and materials. Older solid wood doors and metal doors each have their own demands.
Quantity matters too. Fitting several doors in one visit is usually more economical per door than coming back repeatedly, and keying them alike takes planning but saves you from carrying a ring of keys.
Timing and location play a smaller role. A night or weekend call is a different situation than a scheduled daytime visit, and distance from our base affects travel. We explain what applies when you call.
The lighter-cost option is not always the lowest-grade lock. Often it is the one that fits the door as it stands, without extra carpentry. If a cheaper part will cause trouble in six months, we will say so. Our goal is a lock that suits the door and the way you live, not the biggest invoice.
What should you know about commercial and security lock installation?
Commercial lock installation has to meet a different standard of use. A storefront door opens and closes many times a day, may need to be locked from outside with a key but exit freely from inside, and is often tied to a bigger plan for who holds which key. We discuss how the door is used before recommending anything.
For businesses, our commercial door hardware page goes deeper on exit devices, closers, and heavy-duty sets, and our storefront lock repair page covers fixing what is already on the door. If the lock is installed but not working properly, repair may make more sense than starting over.
Security lock installation on a home is a similar conversation at a smaller scale. A strong deadbolt in a weak frame is a weak door. We look at the strike plate, the screws, the jamb, and the hinge side, and we tell you where the real weak points are. Sometimes the right security upgrade is longer screws and a reinforced strike, not a more expensive lock.
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?
We have been in business since 1987. That is a long time to see what holds up and what does not, and it shapes what we recommend. We would rather fit something that lasts than something that merely looks good on the shelf.
We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. When you call, you are talking to one company, not a call center that passes your job to whoever answers a dispatch app. That matters because the person who answers the phone knows what we carry and who is available, and because you know who is responsible for the work.
David is the owner and lead technician, and he oversees the work. If a door is unusual or a job is tricky, that experience is behind it. We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and South Pasadena is one of them.
The phone is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year. Most installations are planned, but sometimes a door gets damaged, a lock fails after a break-in attempt, or you move into a place with locks you do not trust. For urgent situations, see our emergency locksmith page.
Lock installation around South Pasadena: what the housing stock means for the work
South Pasadena is a preservation-minded small city. Many homes are Craftsman, Victorian, and period-revival houses from the 1890s through the 1930s, and a lot of them still have their original hardware. That affects installation in a few concrete ways.
In Mission West, a Craftsman front door may have decades of paint buildup, an old mortise pocket, and a door that has shifted slightly with the house. Installing a new lock there is less about speed and more about fitting the hardware without damaging a door that cannot easily be replaced. Summer heat can swell older wood doors in historic homes, so a lock that fits perfectly in the cool morning may bind in the afternoon. We check how the door behaves and leave appropriate clearance. Weather-driven wear on the lock itself is modest here, thanks to the mild inland climate that the Arroyo Seco moderates slightly, so the door is usually the bigger concern than the lock.
In Altos de Monterey, the homes are 1960s mid-century houses on the southwest hills. Doors and frames there may have been updated over the years, so we look at what is actually on the door before assuming anything.
Around the Fair Oaks Avenue corridor and on Raymond Hill, apartments and condos are more common. In multi-unit buildings, new lock installation often means matching what the building allows, which may include keyed-alike rules or a particular brand. If you are a tenant, check with your landlord or association before changing anything. If you manage property, our locksmith for landlords page explains how we work with owners on multiple doors.
Storefront lock service on Mission Street near the Metro A Line station is another local scenario. Business doors there see steady foot traffic, so installations need to be solid and keyed correctly for the people who use them.
Our service area includes ZIP code 91030. South Pasadena is about 20 miles from our Westwood base, which is why we use mobile vans to bring the work to you.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366How do you choose the right lock before we arrive?
You do not have to decide everything before calling, but a little thought helps. Consider who uses the door, how often, and what you want it to do. A family with young kids may prefer a lever handle that is easy to operate. A rental unit may need keys that can be changed between tenants. A period home may call for hardware that respects the look of the door.
If you want smart or keypad options, our smart lock installation page covers that separately. For adding a deadbolt only, see deadbolt installation. This page is about the broader work of fitting new locks properly.
Whatever you pick, ask the locksmith to explain it. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith who comes to your door for it. A clear, patient explanation of the work and the parts is a good sign. Vagueness about what you are paying for is not.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a lock installation take?
It depends on the door and the lock. A simple replacement on a prepared door is quick. A door that needs new bores, edge repair, or a mortise fit takes longer. We can give you a better idea once we know the door type and what you want installed.
Can you install a lock on a door that has never had one?
Yes. We drill the proper bores for the lock and latch, cut the edge for the bolt, and fit the strike plate into the frame. We check the door thickness and construction first so the hole sizes and placement are right and the door is not weakened.
Do you install mortise locks in older South Pasadena homes?
Yes. Many older homes here have mortise locks, and we can install new mortise bodies, replace worn parts, or help you decide whether repair or rekeying makes more sense. We want to look at the door and the existing hardware before promising a specific approach.
Should I get a lever handle or a knob?
Levers are easier to use with a full hand or limited grip, and many people prefer them for that reason. Knobs are fine if they suit the door and the look you want. We install both and can point out which suits your door and household.
Can I buy the lock myself and have you install it?
Often yes, as long as it suits the door. We would want to see it first, because the wrong backset, door thickness rating, or finish can cause problems. We also bring hardware in the van if you would rather skip the shopping.
Do you do commercial lock installation in South Pasadena?
Yes. We fit locks on storefronts, offices, and other business doors, including doors near Mission Street. Tell us how the door is used and who needs keys, and we will recommend suitable hardware.
How much will lock installation cost me?
We do not publish prices because the cost depends on the lock you choose, the condition and type of the door, how many doors are involved, and the time of the visit. When you call (213) 577-1366, we explain what applies to your situation before work begins.
Is lock installation different from rekeying?
Yes. Installation fits a new lock on a door. Rekeying changes the inside of an existing lock so old keys stop working, while the lock stays on the door. If your lock works fine but you are worried about who has keys, rekeying is often the more economical route.
Can you install locks at night or on weekends?
Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round at (213) 577-1366. Call and tell us what you need, and we will explain what we can do and when.
More locksmith help in South Pasadena
Lock Installation near South Pasadena
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.