Last updated: February 2026
Here's what most big-box store employees won't tell you: the hardest part of smart lock installation isn't the lock itself. It's the door prep. Older Stuart homes, especially the concrete block construction you'll find throughout River Forest and Tropical Farms, often have non-standard backsets, misaligned strike plates, and door frames that haven't been touched since 1987. Drop the wrong lock in without checking those first, and you'll have a $300 device that binds, misaligns, or fails within six months.
Smart lock installation in Stuart, FL runs $150 to $450 installed, depending on the lock brand, door condition, and whether you need a deadbolt retrofit or a full new setup. Most jobs take 45 to 90 minutes. Stuart Locksmiths handles same-day appointments across Martin County, and our licensed technicians have completed over 600 smart lock installs in the Treasure Coast area since 2021.
The short answer on cost: budget $200 to $280 for a mid-range Wi-Fi deadbolt like an August or Schlage Encode, installed. Add $50 to $100 if your door needs prep work. Higher-end locks like the Yale Assure 2 with Z-Wave come in closer to $350 to $450 all-in.
Why Stuart Homeowners Are Switching to Smart Locks
Stuart sits right along US-1 and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, which means a lot of seasonal traffic, short-term rentals, and vacation properties. That's actually the #1 driver we see for smart lock upgrades locally: rental owners who are done cutting keys for Airbnb guests or handing off physical copies to cleaners and contractors.
Temporary access codes solve that completely. You create a unique PIN, set it to expire after the guest checks out, and you're done. No lockbox. No key handoff. No worrying about who still has a copy floating around.
The second driver is storm season. Floridians have a habit of evacuating quickly, and a smart lock with remote locking capability means you can verify your home is secured from wherever you've evacuated to. That peace of mind matters when you're watching coverage of a storm hitting the Treasure Coast from 300 miles away.
Thinking about a broader security upgrade? Our Home Security Upgrades page covers how smart locks fit into a layered approach alongside cameras, sensors, and reinforced hardware.
Smart Lock Comparison: What the Data Shows
Not all smart locks are equal, and the security ratings actually vary significantly by brand and model. Here's how the most common options stack up:
| Lock Model | ANSI Grade | Connectivity | Installed Price (Stuart, FL) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Grade 1 | Wi-Fi + Apple Home Key | $260 - $320 | iPhone users, high security |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Grade 2 | Wi-Fi (retrofit) | $180 - $230 | Renters, keeping existing deadbolt |
| Yale Assure 2 (Z-Wave) | Grade 1 | Z-Wave (hub required) | $340 - $450 | Smart home integration, SmartThings |
| Kwikset Halo Touch | Grade 2 | Wi-Fi + fingerprint | $200 - $270 | Families, no-phone access |
ANSI Grade 1 is the highest residential security rating per BHMA/ANSI standards, requiring locks to withstand 250,000 open/close cycles and specific forced-entry tests. (Source: ANSI/BHMA A156.30). For high-security needs beyond smart locks, check out our High-Security Lock Installation service.
FBI crime data shows residential burglaries still occur at a rate of 2.5 per 1,000 households in Florida, and 34% of break-ins happen through the front door. (Source: FBI Unified Crime Report, 2023). A Grade 1 smart lock with a reinforced strike plate changes that equation significantly.
Our Smart Lock Installation Process
- Door assessment first. Before we touch the lock, we check the door frame, existing bore hole diameter (standard is 2-1/8"), backset measurement (2-3/8" or 2-3/4"), and whether the strike plate needs reinforcement. Skipping this step is why DIY installs fail.
- Hardware removal and prep. We remove your existing deadbolt and inspect the door edge for damage, rot, or misalignment. In Stuart's humid climate, wooden doors can swell and shift, which affects how the latch seats.
- Lock installation and alignment. We install the new smart lock, ensuring the latch engages cleanly and the keypad or handle sits flush. We don't force it. If the door needs adjustment, we handle that on-site.
- App setup and Wi-Fi pairing. We walk you through connecting the lock to your home network, downloading the manufacturer app, and creating your first access codes. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and we don't leave until it's working.
- Test and verify. We test manual entry, keypad entry, and remote locking from the app before we pack up. We also confirm the auto-lock timer is set to your preference.
Smart Lock Installation Pricing in Stuart, FL
| Service | Price Range | Typical Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic smart lock install (customer-supplied lock) | $75 - $110 | 45 min | You buy the lock, we install it |
| Smart lock install with lock supplied | $200 - $320 | 60 - 75 min | Includes mid-range Wi-Fi deadbolt |
| Premium smart lock install (Grade 1 + full setup) | $340 - $450 | 75 - 90 min | Includes Yale, Schlage, or Z-Wave units |
| Door prep / strike plate upgrade | $45 - $85 | 20 - 30 min | Added if door requires modification |
All prices include labor, hardware alignment, and app setup. No surprise fees after the fact. If your door needs work we didn't anticipate, we tell you the price before we do anything extra.
Why Choose Stuart Locksmiths for Smart Lock Installation
We're not a call center that dispatches whoever's available. Stuart Locksmiths is a local operation, based in Martin County, licensed under Florida DBPR. Every technician we send is background-checked and carries their license on-site.
- Same-day service, 7 days a week. We're typically on-site within 2 hours for non-emergency smart lock jobs.
- We stock the most popular lock models. No waiting on shipping. Schlage, Yale, August, and Kwikset locks are available from our service vehicle.
- We actually know the area. We've installed locks in Sewalls Point condos, Hobe Sound waterfront homes, and everything in between. Door construction varies wildly in South Florida and we plan for it.
- Honest pricing, upfront. We quote the job before we start. What we say it costs is what you pay.
- Post-install support. If your lock loses Wi-Fi connection or you need help adding a user 3 weeks later, call us. We help.
Already have a traditional deadbolt you're happy with but want to upgrade security? Our Deadbolt Installation & Repair service covers reinforced hardware options that can pair with a smart lock retrofit. And if you've recently moved or had a key go missing, a Lock Rekey Service might be the right first step before upgrading to smart.
We also serve homeowners in Palm City, Jensen Beach, and Hobe Sound with the same fast response times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does smart lock installation take in Stuart, FL?
Most installs take 45 to 90 minutes. Standard door prep and a straightforward Wi-Fi deadbolt runs about 45 to 60 minutes. If we need to adjust the door frame or bore hole, add another 20 to 30 minutes.
Do I need to buy the lock before calling you, or can you supply it?
Either way works. We carry Schlage, Yale, August, and Kwikset units on our vehicles. If you've already bought one, we install it. If you're not sure which to get, we'll recommend based on your door, phone platform, and smart home setup.
Will a smart lock work on my older Stuart home with a non-standard door?
Probably yes, but we check first. Many homes in older Stuart neighborhoods have 2-3/4" backsets instead of the standard 2-3/8", and some have non-standard bore holes. We assess before installing and tell you what's needed upfront.
What happens if my Wi-Fi goes out, can I still unlock my door?
Yes. Every smart lock we install has a physical key backup and a keypad, so you're never locked out due to a router issue. Remote access through the app requires internet, but local keypad entry works independent of Wi-Fi.
Can I still use a regular key with a smart lock?
Most smart deadbolts include a keyed cylinder. You can use a physical key anytime. Some retrofit models (like the August) attach over your existing deadbolt interior, so your exterior key cylinder stays completely unchanged.
How secure are smart locks compared to traditional deadbolts?
A Grade 1 smart lock like the Schlage Encode is actually harder to kick in than most Grade 2 traditional deadbolts. The vulnerability with smart locks is cyber, not physical. Use a strong Wi-Fi password and enable two-factor authentication in the lock app.
How many access codes can I set on a smart lock?
Depends on the model. Most mid-range locks support 30 to 100 unique access codes. The Yale Assure 2 supports up to 250. Each code can be named, scheduled, and deleted independently, which is why rental property owners love them.
Do smart locks work with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit?
Many do, but not all. Schlage Encode Plus works with Apple HomeKit. Most Yale and Kwikset models support Alexa and Google. Z-Wave locks require a SmartThings or similar hub. We help you pick the right one based on what smart home platform you're already using.
How long do the batteries last in a smart lock?
Average is 6 to 12 months on a standard AA or 9V setup, depending on how often the lock is used and whether you use the auto-lock feature heavily. The lock will send a low-battery alert to your phone before it dies, so you won't get caught off guard.
What's the difference between a smart lock and a keyless entry system?
A smart lock connects to your home network and can be controlled remotely. A keyless entry system may just use a keypad without any internet connection or app. Both