Highlights
Installing a deadbolt lock can help increase security in your home.
Labor costs for installing a deadbolt lock are typically between $50–$100.
However, your total cost will depend on the type of lock you choose and any touch-ups you need to make.
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Hiring a pro to install a deadbolt lock generally costs around $50 to $100, but that’s just for the labor—the full installation cost will vary based on what type of lock you choose. You can also save money by choosing to roll up your sleeves and install a deadbolt lock yourself.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Deadbolt Lock?
Deadbolt installation typically costs between $40 and $200, including the lock and installation equipment, but the price varies by several factors. For instance, if you decide to install a deadbolt lock yourself rather than hire a pro to do it, then your price will likely be lower. The cost to hire a locksmith includes a minimum fee of $50 to $100 to come to your home, which you'll need to pay in addition to the cost of the deadbolt lock.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Deadbolt Lock by Type?
If you're purchasing a new deadbolt lock, the type you choose affects the overall cost to install it as well as its individual pros and cons. Different deadbolt types will be best for different families.
Single-Cylindrical Deadbolt Cost
Single-cylindrical deadbolts are the most common type of residential deadbolt lock. This type is probably what you picture when you hear the term “deadbolt.” These locks feature a cylinder on one side, which requires a key to unlock it. The other side features a thumb turn, which you can use to unlock the deadbolt by turning it with your hand. Single-cylindrical deadbolts typically cost $20 to $70.
Double-Cylindrical Deadbolt Cost
Double-cylindrical deadbolts, aka double-keyed locks, are similar to single-cylindrical deadbolts, except they feature a cylinder on both sides rather than one side. As you may have guessed, you’ll need a key to unlock it from the inside as well as the outside.
Since double-keyed locks always require a key to open them, they can be dangerous in the event of a fire or another emergency that requires you to leave your home quickly, so they're typically best for residential properties with specific security needs. Double-cylindrical deadbolts usually cost around $40 to $80.
Keyless Deadbolt Cost
Keyless deadbolt locks are unlocked by entering an access code on a keypad or touchscreen rather than using a physical key. Because they eliminate the need for a key, they're incredibly convenient, but they also cost more than other deadbolt types. Keyless deadbolts typically cost $50 to $200.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Deadbolt Lock Yourself?
Photo: rh2010 / Adobe Stock
Since locksmiths usually charge a minimum fee of $50 to $100 to come to your home, you can save that amount by installing a deadbolt lock yourself. Installing a standard deadbolt is a fairly straightforward process that many people can learn by watching and reading tutorials online.
If you install the lock yourself, you only need to pay for the lock and the tools required to install it, which typically include a power drill, a hole saw, and drill bits. Power drills usually cost around $30 to $100 and often come with the drill bits you'd need for a deadbolt installation. Hole saws, which cut the hole required to install your lock, can be attached to your power drill similarly to a bit. They usually cost around $10 to $50.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Deadbolt Lock?
Because installing a deadbolt is a pretty simple process, only a few factors come into play when it comes to pricing.
Deadbolt Type
Most homes use a single-cylindrical or keyless deadbolt, which both vary in price. You can typically purchase a single cylindrical deadbolt for $20 to $70, while keyless deadbolts can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 or more, depending on the type you purchase.
Door Touch-Ups
You may need to do a bit of work to cover up any holes from a previous lock or touch up the paint from any damage during installation. Costs to touch up your door after installing a deadbolt lock can range from a few dollars for wood putty or spackle to nearly $100 depending on the work needed and the tools you have on hand.
DIY vs. Hire a Pro
If you choose to hire a local locksmith to install your deadbolt, then you'll need to pay their service fee in addition to the cost of the lock. Most locksmiths charge a minimum of $50 to $100 to come to your home. If your door is metal, a locksmith may charge an additional fee, usually $25 to $50 extra, since these doors are harder to drill into than other types of doors. You'll want to factor these added costs in when budgeting for your deadbolt installation costs.
FAQs About Deadbolt Lock Installation
Can a deadbolt be added to any door?
Yes, but adding a deadbolt to some door materials, like steel, may make installation a bit trickier.
How do deadbolts work?
Standard residential deadbolt locks come with a steel bolt that locks your door into place using a key (or keypad) on one side and a thumb turn on the other. When you lock it, the bolt slides into a strike plate on your door jamb to secure your door shut.
Are deadbolts worth it?
The benefit of deadbolt locks is that they're much harder to force open than simple locks with pin tumbler mechanisms, so they may offer added security. This feature is why many locksmiths recommend deadbolts for home security. For many households, this added protection and peace of mind is well worth the cost of installing a deadbolt.
Should I hire a professional or install a deadbolt myself?
You can typically install a deadbolt yourself using just a few tools and a free afternoon. However, since the process involves drilling holes into your door, it can feel intimidating. Watching some deadbolt installation tutorials online can help you get a feel for what the process involves and determine your comfort level with taking it on yourself.
How do I install a single-cylindrical deadbolt lock?
Installing a standard deadbolt lock is a fairly simple process that most people can complete in an afternoon.
Tools Needed
Pencil or awl
Power drill
Drill bits
Hole saw
Mark the Installation Site On Your Door
Most deadbolt locks come with a template to help you install the lock. The template features reference points that you can use to mark where you should drill using a pencil or an awl. If your lock doesn't come with a template, you can use the physical lock as a reference, marking off approximately where you'll need to drill. Generally, deadbolts should be installed 6 to 12 inches above your doorknob.
Cut Your First Hole
After marking your reference points, attach a hole saw to your drill to create a hole through the front of your door. The first hole saw you use should be just a hair bigger than the size of your deadbolt so that the deadbolt fits tightly into the hole you create. Use your hole saw to create your first hole through the back of the door, stopping once the hole saw comes through the other side of the door.
Cut Your Second Hole
Next, create a hole in the side of your door that will allow the lock's bolt to slide in and out when it locks and unlocks. This hole should be slightly bigger than the bolt so that it can easily move in and out. Measure your hole saws against the bolt to find the right fit, then attach it to your drill. Use the drill to create a hole, stopping once this second hole comes through the first hole you drilled.
Secure the Bolt to the Door
After drilling the holes, put the bolt inside the first hole you drilled. Use a drill bit to drill pilot holes in the door that align with where the screws for your bolt will go. Then use your drill to secure the bolt to the door with the screws that came with it.
Attach the Cylinder and Thumbturn
Once you've secured the bolt, follow a similar process with the cylinder and thumb turn. Create pilot holes for the cylinder and thumb turn on each side of your door (create the holes for the cylinder on the outside of your door and the thumb turn on the inside). Then secure both pieces in place with screws.
Install the Strike Plate
Finally, install the strike plate on your door frame. This frame is what the bolt will slide in and out of when you lock and unlock your door. Just as you did in the previous step, first create pilot holes aligned with the strike plate's screw holes, then use your drill to secure it into place with screws.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Install Deadbolt Locks? ›
Prices for deadbolt locks are typically between $25 to $300 depending on the the quality. Deadbolt installation typically costs between $75 to $400, depending on if you do it yourself or hire a professional to help you.
How much does labor cost to install a deadbolt lock? ›Hiring a pro to install a deadbolt lock generally costs around $50 to $100, but that's just for the labor—the full installation cost will vary based on what type of lock you choose. You can also save money by choosing to roll up your sleeves and install a deadbolt lock yourself.
Can a handyman install a deadbolt? ›Handyman knows how to install doors and can also install a deadbolt in your home.
Can you add a deadbolt to an existing door? ›Adding a deadbolt to a door involves measuring and drilling holes to fit the deadbolt lock. If you measure incorrectly, you could end up drilling a hole in the wrong spot, ruining the door in the process. Measure carefully and be sure you're using the proper size hole saw before you start drilling.
Are deadbolts hard to replace? ›Replacing an existing deadbolt lock is a pretty simple task, and does not usually require any special tools. In most cases, all you need to replace a deadbolt is a Philips head screw driver.