Last updated: February 2026
Your lock is broken, compromised, or just plain old - and you need it replaced today, not tomorrow. Maybe a tenant moved out and you never got the keys back. Maybe a burglary attempt left your deadbolt bent and your door barely closing. Whatever got you here, door lock replacement in Stuart, FL from Stuart Locksmiths runs $85 to $225 for most residential jobs, and our technicians are on-site within 20 minutes for calls inside Stuart city limits.
One visit. New hardware. Full re-test before we leave.
When a Rekey Isn't Enough
A lock rekey works great when your lock is structurally sound and you just want new keys. But rekeying a worn-out, damaged, or low-grade lock is like putting new tires on a car with a cracked frame. If the lock itself is compromised, rekeying it just gives you false confidence.
You need a full replacement when the cylinder is visibly damaged from a break-in attempt, when the bolt doesn't retract smoothly, when the lock is a hollow-core builder-grade unit that came with the house 20 years ago, or when you've just moved into a property and you have no idea how many copies of the original key are floating around Stuart. In that last scenario especially, don't just rekey. Upgrade.
If you're not sure which service fits your situation, check our full Residential Locksmith page for a breakdown of your options.
Lock Replacement Pricing in Stuart, FL
Here's what you'll actually pay. These ranges include labor and standard hardware. Upgraded hardware (Schlage, Kwikset SmartKey, Medeco) costs more, and we'll quote you exactly before touching anything.
| Lock Type | Price Range | Typical Job Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Knob/Lever Lock | $85 - $130 | 20 - 30 min |
| Single Deadbolt Replacement | $95 - $145 | 25 - 40 min |
| Deadbolt + Knob Combo | $145 - $195 | 40 - 60 min |
| High-Security or Smart Lock | $175 - $350+ | 45 - 90 min |
Supply chain pricing on Schlage and Kwikset hardware has stabilized in 2026, so the numbers above are solid estimates. We'll confirm your exact quote when we assess the door.
Lock Security: What the Numbers Actually Show
Stuart sits in Martin County, which averaged 312 residential burglaries annually over the past 3 years according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement data. The FBI's Uniform Crime Report consistently shows that 34% of home burglaries involve no force at all - the burglar walked through an unlocked or easily-defeated door. (Source: FBI UCR) The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) recommends replacing any lock graded below ANSI Grade 2 on exterior doors, and most builder-grade locks installed in Florida subdivisions before 2018 don't make that cut. (Source: ALOA)
Upgrading from a Grade 3 to a Grade 1 deadbolt reduces forced-entry success by roughly 60% in standard attack scenarios. That's not a marketing claim. That's ANSI testing data.
Our Lock Replacement Process
We keep this simple. No surprises, no upsells you didn't ask for.
- Call us at (772) 362-5731. Tell us what's going on. We'll ask two or three quick questions about your door type and current hardware so we arrive with the right parts. Most Stuart addresses get a technician rolling within 10 minutes of the call.
- On-site assessment. We look at the door frame, the bore hole size, the existing strike plate, and the condition of the door itself. Sometimes the frame needs reinforcement - we'll tell you honestly if that's the case, and we won't charge you for the assessment.
- Hardware selection. We carry Schlage B60N, Kwikset 980, and several Medeco options in the truck. If you want something specific, we can source it same-day in most cases from our Stuart suppliers off SE Monterey Road.
- Replacement and alignment. The lock goes in, the strike plate gets properly seated, and we test the bolt throw at least 6 times. A lock that sticks on installation will stick worse in six months - so we get it right before we leave.
- Key handoff and documentation. You get new keys, we confirm the count, and we note the job in your account so future service calls go faster.
Stuart-Specific Considerations for Your Locks
Florida's humidity is genuinely brutal on lock hardware. The salt air blowing off the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon corrodes cheap zinc and pot-metal lock components faster than most manufacturers' warranties account for. We've pulled apart locks in Stuart neighborhoods like Rio, Sailfish Point, and Golden Gate that were only 4 years old but already showed seized pins and corroded springs.
Go with satin nickel or stainless-finished hardware for coastal and near-water properties. Brass looks good but oxidizes fast this close to the water. And if your home sits east of US-1, expect to replace budget hardware every 3 to 5 years regardless - or invest once in a quality Grade 1 deadbolt that's rated for coastal environments.
If your garage entry door lock is also showing wear, our Garage Door Lock Service covers that specific hardware, which has different requirements than your front door.
Why Stuart Locksmiths for Lock Replacement
We're not a national call center that dispatches whoever's available from three counties away. Stuart Locksmiths is based in Stuart, licensed under Florida DBPR license requirements, and has completed over 890 residential lock replacement jobs in Martin County since 2019. Our technicians know the door frame quirks common in Palm Beach-built homes along Palm Beach Road, and they know which hardware holds up against the humidity near Hutchinson Island.
Flat-rate pricing. No after-hours surcharge for calls before 10 PM. A 1-year warranty on all replacement hardware we install. And we'll never quote you a number over the phone and then show up with a higher one. That's a promise, not a policy slogan.
Need a broader security review while we're there? Ask about our Home Security Upgrades service, or if you're considering going keyless, we can walk you through Smart Lock Installation options on the spot.
Situations That Need Same-Day Replacement
Some lock issues can wait a day. These can't.
- A break-in attempt bent or cracked your deadbolt housing. Even if the door closed, that lock is no longer providing real protection.
- You just ended a rental agreement and the tenant won't confirm all key copies are returned.
- Your lock cylinder spins freely or won't engage the bolt at all.
- You lost your keys somewhere in public - a parking lot, a bar, anywhere a stranger could have picked them up.
- A domestic situation changed and someone who shouldn't have access still has a key.
Any of those? Call now. For post-break-in situations specifically, our Break-In & Burglary Repair service covers door frame repair, lock replacement, and security hardening in a single visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a door lock replacement take in Stuart?
Most single-lock replacements take 25 to 45 minutes once our technician is on-site. A deadbolt plus knob combo on the same door typically runs 45 to 60 minutes. If the door frame needs reinforcement, add another 20 to 30 minutes.
Do I need to replace my lock or just rekey it?
If the lock is structurally sound and less than 8 to 10 years old, rekeying is usually enough. If it's damaged, corroded, a low-grade builder unit, or if you've just moved into a home and can't verify who has copies of the current key, replacement makes more sense. We'll give you an honest recommendation when we assess it, with no pressure either way.
What brands of replacement locks do you carry?
We stock Schlage, Kwikset, Kwikset SmartKey, and Medeco in our service trucks. For high-security applications, we also source Mul-T-Lock and Abloy hardware, typically same-day from our Stuart suppliers. If you have a specific brand preference, let us know when you call.
Can you replace a lock on a steel door?
Yes. Steel doors are common in Stuart, especially in newer construction along SW Kanner Highway and in gated communities off Martin Downs Boulevard. The installation process is slightly different from wood doors but takes about the same amount of time.
How much does door lock replacement cost in Stuart, FL?
Standard knob or lever replacements run $85 to $130. A single deadbolt is $95 to $145. A deadbolt and knob combo on one door is typically $145 to $195. High-security or smart lock installations start around $175 and can reach $350 or more depending on the hardware you choose. All quotes are confirmed before work begins.
Will the new lock fit my existing door without drilling new holes?
Almost always, yes. Standard US residential doors use 2-1/8 inch bore holes for the lock body and 1 inch bore holes for the latch, which is compatible with the vast majority of replacement hardware on the market. If your door has a non-standard bore or is a specialty door, we'll let you know before installation and discuss options.
Do you replace locks on sliding glass doors?
Yes. Sliding door lock hardware is different from standard deadbolts, and Stuart homes with back patio access to the water or pool area often need these replaced. We carry sliding door lock replacements and can also add secondary security bars on the same visit.
Can you key multiple new locks to the same key?
Absolutely. Keying multiple locks alike during a replacement is something we do all the time, especially for homes with front door, back door, and garage entry locks. Just let us know at the time of service and we'll set all of them to work with one key.
Is there an emergency lock replacement service available in Stuart?
Yes. Stuart Locksmiths handles same-day and after-hours lock replacement calls throughout Stuart and surrounding areas. There's no after-hours surcharge for calls before 10 PM. For emergency situations, our Emergency Lock Change service is available when you need someone there immediately.
Should I replace the strike plate when I replace my lock?
In most cases, yes, and we recommend it strongly. The strike plate is actually the most critical security component in a door lock system. A cheap strike plate with 3/4 inch screws can be kicked through in one or two hits regardless of how good the lock is. We install reinforced strike plates with 3 inch screws as a standard part of our replacement service.
Do you service areas near Stuart like Palm City or Jensen Beach?
Yes. We regularly cover Palm City and Jensen Beach, along with Port St. Lucie and other nearby communities. Response times are typically 20 to 35 minutes depending on location and traffic on US-1 or the bridge crossings.
How long does a replaced lock last in Stuart's climate?
A quality Grade 1 deadbolt (Schlage B60N or equivalent) should last 10 to 15 years in normal inland Stuart conditions. Homes within half a mile of the water or the St. Lucie Inlet should expect 6 to 10 years even with quality hardware due to salt air exposure. Budget hardware in those same locations often fails in 3 to 5 years.
Ready to get your locks replaced today? Call Stuart Locksmiths at (772) 362-5731