Last updated: February 2026
Is your front door actually protecting you, or just giving you the feeling that it is? Deadbolt installation in Stuart, FL runs $75 to $200 depending on the lock grade and door prep required, and most jobs take 45 to 90 minutes from first knock to final key turn. Stuart Locksmiths handles both new installs and deadbolt repairs across Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, and the surrounding Martin County area.
A standard knob lock or lever handle alone won't stop a determined intruder. The bolt extends only about 1/2 inch and can be defeated with a credit card in under 10 seconds. A properly installed Grade 1 deadbolt throws a full 1-inch hardened steel bolt into the door frame, which is a completely different level of resistance.
Why Deadbolts Matter More in Stuart Than You'd Think
Stuart sits at the edge of Florida's Treasure Coast, and with that comes a specific security reality. Seasonal residents leave homes vacant from May through October. Rental properties on South Kanner Highway and near the St. Lucie Inlet turn over constantly. That churn creates opportunity for opportunistic break-ins.
According to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, approximately 55% of all residential burglaries involve forced entry through a door. The same data shows that homes without deadbolts are 3x more likely to be successfully breached than those with them. (Source: FBI UCR Crime in the United States)
Florida's coastal humidity is also a real factor. Salt air off the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon corrodes cheaper lock internals within 2 to 3 years. We see it constantly on jobs in Sewalls Point and along Hutchinson Island. Brass-coated deadbolts fail. Solid brass or stainless-steel internals last. That's the kind of detail that matters when you're choosing hardware for a Stuart home.
Need a broader look at your home's security? Our Home Security Upgrades service covers everything from door hardware to window locks.
Deadbolt Grades Explained: What You're Actually Buying
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grades deadbolts on a 1 to 3 scale. Most hardware store locks are Grade 3. Here's what that means for you in plain terms.
| ANSI Grade | Cycle Rating | Typical Cost (Hardware) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (Highest) | 250,000 cycles | $50-$150 | Primary entry doors, rental properties |
| Grade 2 (Mid) | 150,000 cycles | $30-$80 | Secondary doors, interior security |
| Grade 3 (Basic) | 75,000 cycles | $15-$40 | Low-traffic, low-risk applications |
(Source: ANSI/BHMA A156.30 Standard for High Security Locks)
We stock and install Grade 1 deadbolts from Schlage, Kwikset, and Medeco. For Stuart homes with existing door prep, a Grade 1 swap takes about 30 minutes. No new bore holes, no drama.
Deadbolt Installation & Repair Pricing in Stuart
Pricing depends on three things: the lock grade you choose, whether we're replacing an existing deadbolt or cutting a new hole, and the condition of your door frame. Old homes near downtown Stuart on Colorado Avenue or in the Rio neighborhood sometimes have wood framing that's soft from moisture, which requires additional strike plate work.
| Service | Price Range | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Deadbolt Replacement (Grade 2) | $75-$110 | 30-45 min |
| Grade 1 Deadbolt Installation (new) | $120-$175 | 60-90 min |
| High-Security Deadbolt (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) | $175-$350+ | 60-90 min |
| Deadbolt Repair (cylinder, bolt, or strike) | $65-$120 | 30-60 min |
All prices include labor and standard hardware. Door frame reinforcement, if needed, is quoted on-site before any work begins. No surprises on the final invoice.
Our Deadbolt Installation Process
We don't just drill a hole and hand you keys. Here's exactly what happens when Stuart Locksmiths shows up at your door.
- Door Assessment (5 minutes): We check the door thickness, existing bore holes, frame condition, and alignment. Stuart's older wood-frame homes sometimes have doors that have shifted from humidity, which affects how the bolt seats in the strike plate.
- Hardware Selection: If you haven't picked a lock yet, we'll show you the options we have on the truck. We carry Grade 1 and Grade 2 deadbolts in common finishes, usually satin nickel, matte black, and antique brass.
- Installation or Bore: For replacements, we remove the old lock and test the fit. For new installs, we use a hole saw jig to bore the cylinder hole (2-1/8 inches) and the latch bore precisely. One shot, clean cut.
- Strike Plate Reinforcement: This is where most DIY installs fail. A standard strike plate with 3/4-inch screws gives almost no resistance. We install a 3-inch heavy-gauge strike plate secured with 3-inch wood screws that bite into the door frame stud. That single step increases kick-in resistance by over 400%.
- Test and Key Cut: We test the deadbolt 10 to 15 times from both sides, check bolt extension and retraction, confirm smooth operation, and cut any additional keys needed on the spot.
If you're adding a deadbolt to a door that also needs the knob lock addressed, check out our Lock Change & Replacement page for combined service options.
Deadbolt Repair: When You Don't Need a Full Replacement
Not every problem needs a new lock. A deadbolt that's stiff, slow, or hard to turn is usually a lubrication issue or a cylinder worn down from years of use. That's a $65 repair, not a $150 replacement.
A deadbolt that won't engage at all typically means the door has shifted out of alignment with the strike plate, which happens constantly in Stuart homes after a long summer of humidity and heat. The door frame expands, the bolt can't find the hole, and people assume the lock is broken. Often it's not.
Signs you need repair, not replacement: the key turns but the bolt won't extend fully, the bolt extends but doesn't sit flush, or you're working around a stripped screw on the strike plate. Signs you do need replacement: the cylinder is cracked, the bolt mechanism is bent, or the lock is older than 15 years and corroded internally.
We also handle full Door Lock Repair for situations where the entire lockset needs attention, not just the deadbolt cylinder.
Why Choose Stuart Locksmiths for Deadbolt Work
There's no shortage of "locksmith" listings in Martin County. Here's the difference.
- Licensed and insured in Florida. Florida requires locksmiths to hold a Class D or Class B license under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. We're fully licensed. Ask any locksmith for their license number before letting them touch your door.
- Response time under 30 minutes for most Stuart addresses. We're based locally, not dispatching from Port St. Lucie or farther south.
- Over 800 residential deadbolt jobs completed across Martin County since we opened.
- Flat-rate pricing. We quote before we start. The price doesn't change because we ran into a snag mid-job.
- We carry stock on the truck. Grade 1 Schlage and Kwikset deadbolts in 4 finishes, plus high-security options, so you get the job done same day without waiting for a hardware store run.
If you're also thinking about upgrading to a keypad or app-controlled lock, we do Smart Lock Installation as well. Some of the Schlage Encode models include a built-in Grade 1 deadbolt with keypad control, which is worth knowing about.
Wondering if rekeying might solve your concern instead of a full install? Our Lock Rekey Service starts at $35 and makes sense after a move or lost key situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does deadbolt installation take in Stuart?
A straightforward replacement on an existing bore hole takes 30 to 45 minutes. A new installation requiring a fresh bore hole runs 60 to 90 minutes. If the door frame needs reinforcement work, add another 20 to 30 minutes. We'll give you an accurate time estimate on the phone before we arrive.
What's the difference between a single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolt?
A single-cylinder deadbolt uses a key outside and a thumb turn inside. A double-cylinder requires a key on both sides. Double-cylinder locks are sometimes used on doors with glass panels nearby, so a burglar can't break the glass, reach in, and turn the thumb lock. Florida fire codes restrict double-cylinder use in some scenarios, so we'll talk through your specific door setup before recommending one.
Can I install a deadbolt myself instead of calling a locksmith?
The bore hole itself isn't complicated with the right jig. The part most homeowners get wrong is the strike plate. A standard strike plate with short screws gives almost no kick resistance. Proper installation means a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws biting into the frame stud. If that step gets skipped, the deadbolt is nearly useless against forced entry.
My deadbolt is hard to turn. Do I need to replace it?
Probably not. Stiff deadbolts in Stuart homes are usually caused by two things: a dry cylinder that needs graphite lubricant (not WD-40, which attracts dust and gums up the pins), or a door that's shifted from humidity and is binding against the frame. We can diagnose and fix this for $65 in most cases.
What deadbolt brands do you recommend for Stuart's coastal climate?
Schlage and Medeco both hold up well in Florida's salt-air environment. Look for solid brass or stainless steel internals with a UL 437 rating for the cylinder. Avoid zinc-alloy deadbolts with plated finishes, which corrode within a couple of years near the St. Lucie River or Indian River Lagoon. We stock hardware specifically chosen for coastal durability.
How much does it cost to add a deadbolt to a door that doesn't have one?
A new deadbolt installation on a door with no existing bore hole runs $120 to $175 for a Grade 1 lock including labor and hardware. High-security options like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock run $175 to $350+. We quote the exact price after seeing the door, since frame condition and door material affect the scope of work.
Do you install deadbolts on sliding glass doors?
Sliding glass doors use a different type of security hardware, typically a keyed foot bolt or a secondary bar lock, not a traditional deadbolt. We do handle sliding door security hardware. Call us and describe your door type and we'll tell you exactly what makes sense for it.
Can Stuart Locksmiths match the deadbolt finish to my existing hardware?
Yes. We carry Grade 1 deadbolts in satin nickel, matte black, antique brass, and polished brass. If you have a specific finish that's less common, tell us when you call and we'll confirm stock before arriving so you're not waiting on a special order.
Is a Grade 1 deadbolt really worth the extra cost over a hardware store lock?
For a primary entry door, yes. A Grade 3 lock at $20 and a Grade 1 lock at $100 look nearly identical from the outside. The difference is pick resistance, drill resistance, and cycle life. Grade 1 cylinders