Last updated: February 2026
Is your door lock sticking, spinning, or just refusing to latch the way it should? Door lock repair in Stuart, FL from Stuart Locksmiths typically runs $65 to $175 depending on the lock type and what's actually wrong with it. Most repairs take 20 to 45 minutes once our technician is on-site, and we carry parts for the most common residential lock brands so we're not making two trips.
Stuart's salt air, humidity, and the occasional hurricane season beating are genuinely rough on door hardware. A lock that worked fine in Ohio fails here inside 3 years. We see it constantly across Port Salerno, Willoughby, and Rio neighborhoods alike.
What "Broken" Actually Means for a Door Lock
A lot of homeowners assume a lock that's giving them trouble needs to be replaced entirely. That's often not true. The fix is usually something specific: a worn cam, a misaligned strike plate, a spring that's lost its tension, or a deadbolt throw that's binding against a swollen door frame.
Here's what we actually find when we show up to a "broken lock" call in Stuart. About 40% of the time, the door frame has shifted, not the lock itself. Florida's humidity causes wood doors and frames to expand and contract, which throws off the alignment between the bolt and the strike plate. Fixing the strike plate position costs a fraction of what a full lock swap would run you.
The other common culprits: corroded internal springs from salt air exposure (huge issue near the St. Lucie River and the waterfront neighborhoods), worn keyways from daily use, and seized cylinders from a one-time water intrusion during a storm. Each has a specific fix that doesn't require throwing out the whole lockset.
If you've recently had a break-in attempt, that's a different situation. Forced entry usually damages the strike plate, door jamb, or the lock body itself in ways that need our Break-In & Burglary Repair service rather than a standard repair.
Door Lock Repair Pricing in Stuart, FL
Pricing depends on 3 things: the lock brand and grade, what's actually wrong with it, and parts availability. Here's an honest breakdown of what jobs typically run in Martin County.
| Repair Type | Typical Cost Range | Average Time On-Site |
|---|---|---|
| Strike plate realignment / adjustment | $65 - $85 | 15 - 25 minutes |
| Cylinder repair or re-pin (lock sticking) | $75 - $110 | 20 - 35 minutes |
| Deadbolt mechanism repair (jammed throw) | $85 - $135 | 25 - 45 minutes |
| Knob or lever internal spring/cam replacement | $90 - $150 | 30 - 50 minutes |
| Door lock repair after minor forced entry | $110 - $175 | 45 - 75 minutes |
Service call fee is $35, which gets applied toward the repair cost if you proceed. No surprise charges at the end. We quote before we touch anything.
For context: a full Lock Change & Replacement typically runs $125 to $285 including hardware. So repair makes financial sense whenever the lock body is structurally sound.
How Our Door Lock Repair Process Works
- Call and describe the problem. When you call (772) 362-5731, tell us what the lock is doing (or not doing). This lets us load the right parts before we leave the shop rather than making a second run to our supplier off SE Federal Highway.
- We arrive at your Stuart address. Our response time within Stuart city limits averages 22 minutes. Outlying areas like Hobe Sound or Palm City may run 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic on US-1 or the Kanner Highway corridor.
- Diagnosis before any work starts. Our technician checks the lock, the door, the frame, and the alignment. We tell you exactly what's wrong and what it costs to fix it. You approve. Then we work.
- Repair with parts on hand. We stock components for Schlage, Kwikset, Baldwin, Defiant, and most Weiser models in the service vehicle. Specialty hardware for high-end brands may require a parts order, but standard residential repairs get done same visit, same day.
- Function test and adjustment. We test the lock 10+ times after the repair, including with the door fully closed under normal latch tension. If it's not smooth and reliable, we're not done.
Lock Failure Rates and What the Data Shows
This isn't just anecdotal. The numbers back up why repair and maintenance matter.
| Statistic | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Residential burglaries involving door lock failures or defeats | 34% of all home break-ins | (Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report) |
| Average residential lock lifespan without maintenance | 5-7 years in coastal/humid climates | (Source: ALOA Security Professionals Association) |
| Homeowners who repair rather than replace when locks malfunction | 58% when cost is under $150 | (Source: ALOA) |
| Strike plate misalignment as cause of "lock failure" complaints | Approximately 38% of service calls | (Source: Associated Locksmiths of America) |
That strike plate number is why we always check the frame first. It's the most overlooked fix in residential locksmithing, and it takes 15 minutes.
When Repair Makes Sense vs. When to Replace
Repair wins when the lock body is Grade 2 or better (ANSI grading), the damage is mechanical rather than structural, and the lock is less than 8 years old. If you've got a Grade 3 builder-grade knob that's been on your door since 2009, honestly, replacement is the better investment. We'll tell you which one you're dealing with and why.
Replacement becomes the right call when the lock cylinder has been drilled, the bolt has been physically bent, or the lock body is cracked. For those situations, our Deadbolt Installation & Repair page covers what upgrading looks like and what it costs.
There's also a middle path worth knowing: rekeying. If your lock works fine mechanically but you've lost keys or moved into a home with an unknown key history, Lock Rekey Service is often the fastest and cheapest solution at $25 to $50 per lock.
Why Stuart Homeowners Call Stuart Locksmiths
We've been serving Martin County since our founding, and we've completed over 1,400 residential lock repairs in the Stuart area specifically. That means we know which door models are common in the older CBS homes off SE Ocean Boulevard, which brands are installed in the new construction along Cove Road, and what fails first on waterfront properties near the Roosevelt Bridge.
Every technician is licensed under Florida DPBR Chapter 493, which is the state's private investigative and security services licensing statute that covers locksmiths. We carry liability insurance, and we'll verify our credentials before we start any work. That matters because unlicensed operators in Martin County are more common than homeowners realize.
We also won't upsell you into a replacement when a repair is the right answer. That's not a policy we advertise loudly, but it's how we've built the repeat business and referrals that keep us running. Ask anyone in Palm City or Jensen Beach who's called us twice.
For anything beyond a single lock, our full Residential Locksmith service covers everything from entry door hardware to interior privacy locks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my door lock needs repair or full replacement?
If the lock body is intact, the cylinder isn't cracked or drilled, and it's less than 8 years old, repair usually makes sense. If the bolt is bent, the housing is cracked, or it's a cheap Grade 3 builder's lock that's past its life, replacement is smarter. We diagnose it on-site before recommending anything.
My key turns but the deadbolt won't throw. What's wrong?
That's almost always the tailpiece cam or the actuating bar inside the lock body. It's a mechanical failure of the internal hardware, not the cylinder. Usually repairable in 25 to 40 minutes without replacing the full lockset.
My door lock is stiff and hard to turn, especially in the morning. Is that a repair issue?
Yes, and it's extremely common in Stuart because of the overnight humidity swings. Wooden door frames absorb moisture and expand, creating binding between the bolt and strike plate. Graphite lubricant helps temporarily, but proper strike plate adjustment fixes it permanently.
Can you repair a lock without replacing the whole lockset?
In most cases, yes. We carry internal parts for Schlage, Kwikset, and Defiant models in the service vehicle. Springs, cams, tailpieces, and cylinder components can usually be swapped without disturbing the rest of the door hardware.
How long does a typical door lock repair take in Stuart?
Most standard residential repairs take 20 to 45 minutes on-site. Strike plate adjustments run 15 to 25 minutes. More involved repairs like deadbolt mechanism work or post-forced-entry repairs can run 45 to 75 minutes.
My lock worked fine, then a hurricane came through and now it won't latch. Is that covered by homeowners insurance?
Possibly. Storm-related door and frame damage, including locks that fail because the frame shifted, may fall under your windstorm coverage. We can provide a written service report documenting the failure and cause, which you can submit with your claim. Check with your insurer directly on coverage specifics.
What brands of door locks do you repair in Stuart?
We regularly repair Schlage, Kwikset, Baldwin, Defiant, Weiser, Master Lock residential models, and most Medeco cylinders. For high-security lock brands like Mul-T-Lock, we can repair or refer you to our High-Security Lock Installation service depending on what's needed.
My lock spins freely without catching. Can that be fixed?
Usually yes. Free-spinning almost always means the setscrew that connects the handle to the spindle has backed out, or the spindle itself has sheared. Both are fixable. Sheared spindles require a replacement part, but it's still far cheaper than a full lockset replacement in most cases.
Do you repair locks on sliding glass doors in Stuart?
Yes. Sliding glass door lock repairs are actually one of our most common calls, especially in waterfront and condo properties near the Stuart Sailfish Marina area. The hook-latch mechanisms on sliders corrode fast in the salt air. We repair and replace them.
How much does it cost for a locksmith to come out to Stuart for a lock repair?
Our service call fee is $35, which applies toward the repair if you proceed. The repair itself runs $65 to $175 depending on the issue. So a complete visit for a standard repair typically totals $100 to $175 for most Stuart homeowners.
Can a door lock be repaired after a break-in attempt?
Sometimes. It depends entirely on the extent of the damage. If the lock body was attacked but not destroyed, and the door frame is sound, repair is possible. But most forced entry attempts damage the strike plate and jamb in ways that require reinforcement regardless. We assess both the lock and the frame when we arrive.
Do you offer same-day door lock repair in Stuart?
Yes. Same-day service is standard for calls received before 4 PM on weekdays and before 2 PM on weekends. For true emergencies, including locks that fail and leave you unable to secure your home, we respond any time. Call (772) 362-5731 directly for urgent situations.
Lock giving you trouble? Don't wait until it fails completely. Call Stuart Locksmiths at (772) 362-5731 for same-day door lock repair anywhere in Stuart and Martin County. We'll diagnose the problem, quote you a firm price, and fix