Last updated: February 2026
Is your garage door lock the reason you're standing in your driveway right now, key not turning, door not budging? Garage door lock replacement in Stuart, FL is one of the most common calls we get at Stuart Locksmiths, and for good reason. These locks take a beating from Florida's salt air, humidity, and daily UV exposure, and they fail faster than most homeowners expect. A standard garage door lock replacement runs $85 to $195 depending on the lock type and door configuration, and our technicians typically complete the job in 25 to 45 minutes.
Stuart Locksmiths has handled garage door lock jobs across the area, from older neighborhoods near Confusion Corner to newer construction communities off Kanner Highway and out toward Palm City. We carry the most common replacement hardware on our trucks, so there's no waiting on a parts order.
The garage is the entry point burglars test first. A worn T-handle lock or a broken side lock cylinder gives almost no resistance. If you're noticing the key sticking, the handle spinning without engaging the latch bar, or the lock just looks corroded and old, that's not a "deal with it later" situation. That's a same-day fix.
If you've also been thinking about upgrading other entry points in your home, our Residential Locksmith page covers everything we do on the residential side.
Why Garage Door Locks Fail Faster in Stuart
Martin County's coastal climate is genuinely rough on hardware. We're talking about average humidity hovering around 75% year-round, salt air blowing in off the St. Lucie River and the Atlantic, and summer heat that pushes metal components through repeated expansion-and-contraction cycles. That combination corrodes lock cylinders from the inside out, even on locks that look fine from the outside.
T-handle locks on older single-panel and sectional garage doors are especially prone to internal spring failure. The latch bar that runs horizontally across the door loses tension, and one morning the key turns but nothing happens. Side-mounted deadbolts and rim locks have their own problem: the strike plate alignment shifts as the door warps from moisture, and suddenly the bolt won't seat properly no matter how hard you push.
We also see a lot of post-storm lock calls in Stuart. After a bad afternoon squall pushes debris or flooding against a garage door, the hardware gets knocked out of alignment. If your lock was already marginal before hurricane season, a single bad storm is usually enough to finish it.
Garage Door Lock Replacement: Our Process, Step by Step
- Call and Dispatch. You call Stuart Locksmiths at (772) 362-5731. We confirm your address in Stuart and give you an honest arrival window, typically 20 to 40 minutes for most parts of the city. No vague "2-hour windows." We tell you when to expect us.
- On-Site Assessment. Our technician examines the existing lock hardware, the door type (sectional, single-panel, roll-up), and the condition of the latch bar and strike mechanism. This takes about 5 minutes and determines exactly which replacement parts are needed.
- Lock Removal and Hardware Prep. We remove the old lock cylinder, T-handle assembly, or deadbolt, depending on your door's configuration. If the latch bar is bent or corroded, we replace that too. The door's locking mechanism channel gets cleaned out before the new hardware goes in.
- New Lock Installation and Alignment. The replacement lock gets installed and tested for proper engagement with the latch bar before we call it done. Alignment matters more than most people realize. A lock that isn't perfectly aligned will feel stiff within a few months and fail early.
- Key Cutting and Function Test. If you need new keys cut for the replacement lock, we handle that on the spot. We test the lock through 5 to 10 full cycles before we leave, checking that it seats cleanly and releases without dragging.
Need to get back into your garage right now because the lock failed completely? Our Residential Lockout service handles that as the first step before the replacement work begins.
Garage Door Lock Pricing in Stuart, FL
Pricing varies based on the lock type, the door style, and whether the latch bar or other internal hardware needs replacement at the same time. These are our standard ranges for Stuart-area jobs.
| Service | Price Range | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| T-Handle Lock Replacement | $85 - $125 | 20-30 min |
| Side-Mounted Deadbolt Replacement | $110 - $160 | 25-40 min |
| Full Latch Bar and Lock Assembly Replacement | $145 - $195 | 35-50 min |
| Lock Cylinder Re-Key (existing lock) | $55 - $85 | 15-20 min |
If you're re-keying rather than replacing, our Lock Rekey Service page has more detail on when that's the right call versus a full replacement.
Garage door break-in statistics worth knowing:
| Stat | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Garage used as burglary entry point | 9% of residential break-ins | FBI Uniform Crime Report |
| Manual garage locks bypassed without tools | Avg. under 6 seconds on worn locks | ALOA Security Professionals Association |
| Homeowners who never replace original garage lock | Approx. 61% | ALOA Security Professionals Association |
| Recommended garage lock replacement interval | Every 7-10 years (coastal climates: 4-6 years) | Manufacturer guidelines, major hardware brands |
Why Stuart Homeowners Call Stuart Locksmiths
We're not a call center dispatching whoever's available. Stuart Locksmiths is locally based, and our technicians know Martin County properties. We know the difference between the hardware on a 1980s concrete-block home off Colorado Avenue and a 2019 build in a gated community off SW Locks Road. That matters because lock hardware isn't one-size-fits-all.
We're fully licensed through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is the licensing authority for locksmiths in Florida. Every technician who shows up is background-checked and trained specifically on garage door locking systems, not just residential door locks.
Response times in Stuart average 28 minutes from call to arrival. We carry T-handle assemblies, deadbolt kits, and latch bar hardware for the most common door brands on every truck, which means most jobs get done in one visit. We've completed over 1,400 garage door lock jobs across Martin County since we opened, and we've never left a job with a lock that didn't work.
Want to go further and upgrade the entire garage entry point? Pair your lock replacement with a new Deadbolt Installation on the interior garage-to-home door for a real security improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my garage door lock needs replacement or just a repair?
If the key turns but the latch bar doesn't engage, or if you see visible rust inside the cylinder, replacement is almost always the right call. Repairs work when it's just an alignment issue or a loose mounting plate. Our technicians assess this on arrival and tell you straight which route makes sense before any work starts.
Can you replace a garage door lock the same day in Stuart?
Yes. For most standard T-handle and side-deadbolt configurations, we carry the parts on the truck. Same-day service is available 7 days a week in Stuart and the surrounding Martin County area.
My garage door has an automatic opener. Does it still need a manual lock?
It does, and this is a point most people miss. The automatic opener motor can be defeated with a coat hanger through the door gap in under 10 seconds on most doors. A functioning manual lock prevents that bypass entirely. The two systems are independent, and you need both.
What brands of garage door locks do you install?
We install hardware from Prime-Line, National Hardware, Clopay, and other major manufacturers. If your door requires a specific OEM part, we'll source it. For most jobs in Stuart, the standard aftermarket hardware is just as durable as OEM and typically in stock on our trucks.
How long does a garage door lock replacement take?
Most standard T-handle replacements take 20 to 30 minutes. Full latch bar and lock assembly replacements run 35 to 50 minutes. If the door frame needs adjustment for alignment, add another 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you rekey a garage door lock instead of replacing it?
Yes, if the cylinder is in good mechanical condition, re-keying is a cost-effective option at $55 to $85. It makes sense when the lock is relatively new but someone has an old key you want to invalidate. If the cylinder is corroded or more than 6 years old in a coastal climate like Stuart, replacement is the better value.
My garage door lock broke after a storm. Is that covered by homeowners insurance?
Storm damage to lock hardware can be covered under the "other structures" portion of a standard homeowners policy, depending on your deductible and the cause. We can document the damage with photos and provide a written invoice for your insurance claim if needed. Call your insurer before the repair if possible.
Do you service both single-car and two-car garage doors?
Yes. Single-panel, sectional, and roll-up doors of any width. Two-car sectional doors sometimes have two separate locking points that both need service, which affects total cost. Our technician will check both sides during the initial assessment.
What's the difference between a T-handle lock and a side-mounted deadbolt for a garage door?
A T-handle lock mounts in the center panel of the door and uses a horizontal latch bar that extends to both sides. It's the most common setup on older sectional doors. A side-mounted deadbolt installs near the door's edge, similar to a standard residential deadbolt, and is generally more pick-resistant. We can upgrade from a T-handle to a deadbolt setup during the same appointment.
How long should a new garage door lock last in Stuart's climate?
With a quality lock and no additional protection, expect 6 to 9 years in Stuart's salt-air coastal environment. Spraying the cylinder with a silicone-based lubricant every 6 months extends that considerably. Avoid WD-40 on lock cylinders; it attracts dust and accelerates internal corrosion.
Can you also service the lock on the door connecting my garage to the house?
Absolutely. That interior door is actually your last line of defense and often gets ignored. If you want both the garage door lock and the interior passage lock handled in one visit, we do that regularly. Check out our Lock Change & Replacement service for details on interior door options.
Do you serve areas outside Stuart for garage door lock replacement?
Yes. We regularly serve Palm City, Jensen Beach, and Hobe Sound, along with the rest of Martin County. Travel fees may apply for locations outside central Stuart.
Get Your Garage Door Lock Replaced Today
A broken or worn garage door lock in