Last updated: February 2026
Your business doors take a beating. Between delivery crews, cleaning staff, employees on split shifts, and the occasional break-in attempt along US-1, a worn-out or wrong-grade lock isn't just inconvenient - it's a liability your insurance company will remind you about after the fact. Stuart Locksmiths handles commercial lock installation in Stuart, FL for businesses of all sizes, from waterfront retail on Flagler Avenue to office parks near Kanner Highway. Costs run $85 to $450 per door depending on lock grade and hardware, and most installations take 45 to 90 minutes per door.
What Commercial Lock Installation Actually Covers
Commercial-grade hardware is a completely different animal from what you'd buy at Home Depot. We're talking ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 rated locks, which are tested to withstand 250,000 cycles minimum - that's the standard for high-traffic commercial doors. A residential Grade 3 lock on a busy storefront door might last 18 months before the mechanism starts failing.
Stuart Locksmiths installs cylindrical knob and lever locks, mortise locksets, exit devices, electronic keypad locks, and high-security locks for businesses throughout Martin County. We handle new construction installs, full hardware replacements, and upgrades from builder-grade junk to something that'll actually hold up against a forced entry attempt.
We also integrate with access control systems for businesses that need audit trails, time-restricted access, or remote management. If you're running a multi-tenant building or a facility with sensitive areas, that matters more than most owners realize until it's too late.
Commercial Lock Installation Pricing in Stuart, FL
Prices below reflect typical ranges for Stuart, FL commercial jobs. Final cost depends on door prep condition, lock grade, and whether you need hardware supplied or just labor on owner-supplied product.
| Lock Type | Typical Cost Range | Install Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 Cylindrical Lever Lock | $85 - $175 | 45-60 min | Office interior doors, low-to-mid traffic |
| Mortise Lockset (commercial grade) | $175 - $320 | 60-90 min | Main entry doors, high-traffic retail |
| Electronic Keypad / Keyless Entry | $220 - $450 | 60-120 min | Restricted areas, employee-only access |
| Panic Bar / Exit Device | $250 - $550 | 90-120 min | Emergency exits, Florida Fire Code compliance |
Multi-door discounts apply for 3 or more doors in a single visit. Call (772) 362-5731 for a site-specific quote.
The Security Risk Numbers Business Owners Ignore
Here's some data worth sitting with before you decide your current locks are "good enough."
| Statistic | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average loss per commercial burglary | $3,187 | (Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 2023) |
| Forced entry as burglary method | 56.5% of all commercial break-ins | (Source: FBI UCR) |
| ANSI Grade 1 lock cycle rating | 250,000 minimum cycles | (Source: BHMA A156.2 Standard) |
| Grade 1 vs Grade 3 forced entry resistance | Grade 1 withstands 6x more impact force | (Source: ALOA Security Professionals Association) |
| Businesses with no access control reporting insider theft | 34% higher rate | (Source: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, 2024) |
How Our Commercial Lock Installation Process Works
We don't show up, drill a hole, and hand you a key. There's a real process here because commercial installs have more variables than residential work.
- Site Assessment (free with paid service). We check door thickness, frame condition, existing prep holes, fire code requirements, and your actual security needs. A restaurant on Colorado Avenue has different needs than a medical office near Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
- Hardware Recommendation. We'll tell you exactly what grade and type of lock fits your door, your usage, and your budget. We stock Schlage, Medeco, Alarm Lock, and Von Duprin - not off-brand hardware you've never heard of.
- Door Prep. If your door frame is damaged, strike plates are undersized, or backset measurements are off, we handle all of it before the lock goes in. A perfectly good lock installed in a bad frame is still a security failure.
- Installation and Testing. Every lock gets tested for proper latching, deadbolt throw depth, and smooth operation before we pack up. We're not leaving until it works right.
- Key Control Documentation. We note key quantities and lock codes for your records. If you want a master key system across multiple doors, we set that up at the same time to avoid a second trip charge.
Stuart, FL Businesses We Work With Regularly
Stuart's commercial mix is specific. You've got waterfront hospitality businesses along the St. Lucie River, medical offices clustered near US-1 and Monterey Road, retail on Osceola Street, and light industrial off Willoughby Boulevard. Each of those environments has different traffic patterns and different lock requirements.
A marina office might need corrosion-resistant Grade 1 hardware because salt air eats standard finishes in under 2 years. A retail shop on Flagler Avenue with a glass storefront needs a mortise lock that works with a narrow stile door frame. We've done enough jobs in Stuart and the surrounding Martin County area - including Palm City, Jensen Beach, and Port St. Lucie - to know those details before we even walk in the door.
Florida's humidity alone accelerates hardware wear faster than most inland states. We factor that into every hardware recommendation.
Why Stuart Locksmiths for Commercial Work
We've completed over 1,400 commercial lock installations in Martin County since we started. That's not a boast - it's just context for why we catch things newer crews miss.
- Licensed and insured in Florida. Florida requires locksmith licensing (Chapter 493 FS). Ask any locksmith you're considering to show their license number before work starts.
- We stock commercial hardware on the truck. Most jobs don't require a parts run. That saves you time and avoids a second trip charge.
- Same-day availability for most Stuart locations within a 20-mile radius.
- No surprise fees. You get a firm quote before we touch anything.
- We're local. Our number is (772) 362-5731. You'll reach a real person, not an out-of-state call center that dispatches whoever's cheapest.
Need panic bars for a Florida Fire Code-compliant emergency exit? See our panic bar installation page. Already have locks but need to change access after a staff turnover? Commercial lock rekey is often faster and cheaper than a full replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Grade 1 and Grade 2 commercial lock?
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 locks are rated for 250,000 cycles and higher forced-entry resistance. Grade 2 drops to 150,000 cycles. For any exterior commercial door with regular traffic, Grade 1 is the right call. Grade 2 is acceptable for low-traffic interior applications only.
How long does a commercial lock installation take in Stuart?
Standard cylindrical lever sets run 45 to 60 minutes per door. Mortise locksets and electronic locks take 60 to 120 minutes depending on door prep condition. Multi-door jobs on the same visit are more efficient since we're already set up on-site.
Do I need a permit to install commercial locks in Stuart, FL?
Lock replacement and hardware upgrades on existing doors generally don't require a permit in Martin County. New door hardware installed as part of construction or major renovation may fall under building permit scope. We'll flag that during the site assessment if it applies to your project.
Can you install locks that work with my existing key system?
Yes. If you have a keyed-alike or master key system already in place, we can install new locks that are keyed to match your existing system, assuming the keyway is compatible. We can also expand your master key system to include new doors at the same time.
What commercial lock brands do you install in Stuart?
We regularly install Schlage, Medeco, Alarm Lock, Von Duprin, Sargent, and Yale commercial hardware. We'll recommend the right brand for your application. Medeco makes sense for high-security restricted keyways; Von Duprin is the standard for exit devices on emergency egress doors.
How much does commercial lock installation cost in Stuart, FL?
Typical range is $85 to $550 per door depending on lock type and labor complexity. Grade 1 cylindrical levers start around $85 to $175. Mortise locksets run $175 to $320. Electronic keypad locks and panic bars fall between $220 and $550. Call us at (772) 362-5731 for a specific quote based on your doors.
Do you install electronic and keyless locks on commercial doors?
Yes. We install standalone electronic keypad locks, Bluetooth-enabled locks, and hardwired access control setups. For buildings where you want audit trails and remote management, we typically recommend moving to a full keyless entry system rather than a basic keypad.
My business had a break-in. Can you replace damaged locks the same day?
In most cases, yes. We carry commercial hardware on the truck and serve Stuart businesses same-day. After a break-in, we'll also check the door frame and strike plate condition, because a new lock in a damaged frame is still an easy target. See our break-in repair page for the full scope of what that service covers.
Does Florida law require commercial buildings to have specific locks?
Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code both address egress hardware requirements. Emergency exit doors must have panic hardware (exit devices) in most occupancy types. Specific requirements vary by building classification and occupancy load. We can tell you what applies to your building during the site assessment.
Should I rekey or fully replace my commercial locks?
Rekey first if the hardware is Grade 1, less than 7 years old, and mechanically sound. Replace if the locks are worn, damaged, the wrong grade for the application, or if you want to upgrade to electronic access. Rekeying runs $25 to $65 per lock; replacement is more but gets you better hardware at the same time. Our commercial lock rekey page covers that decision in more detail.
Can you handle lock installation for a multi-unit commercial building in Stuart?
Yes. Multi-unit buildings are common work for us - office condos near Monterey Road