When you’re ready for a new home lock, particularly a smart lock with advanced features and app controls, you have two choices: install it yourself or hire a locksmith to take care of the whole business.
But are smart locks really DIY, and if you can install one yourself, how much does it really save? Are the benefits worth it compared to an old-fashioned lock you can pick up at the department store? We explored all the (literal) nuts and bolts to find the cost info you should know when you’re choosing a lock.
Read more: My Ultimate Guide to Smart Lock Installation for DIYers
Locksmith fees for a new lock: Cost breakdown
The world of locksmith pricing can be daunting: Prices may vary a lot by region and locksmiths aren’t always clear about what a full service would cost, especially with standardized websites that don’t properly reflect fees in your area. Most experienced locksmiths would prefer to give a specific quote for a full lock replacement. But you can learn a lot when fees are broken down into specific charges:
- A new lock: A traditional front door deadbolt and handle (usually installed together to match) will cost around $50 to $150. Front door bolts tend to be significantly more expensive than locks for other doors because durability and material quality are priorities. Features like a keypad or even smart features raise prices further. Less reputable locksmiths may also inflate the price of a new lock to pad their estimates, so stay watchful.
- The lock installation: Some locksmiths charge for specific kinds of services, such as between $50 and $100 for a lock replacement. Some charge by the hour, which was around $100 for the national average in 2023. If you have a metal front door (not common) or a metal plate to work around, it will cost extra.
- Visiting your home: Locksmiths charge an additional fee for driving out to your home. This is usually around $30 within 20 miles or city limits, but can be more for further distances.
- After-hours fee: If no one can be home to greet a locksmith during business hours, they’ll probably charge an extra fee for evening, early morning or weekend visits, around $20 to $50.
- Location: These prices can vary based on your location, too. In areas with a higher cost of living, expect to pay significantly more for home visit services (around $50 extra) than the national average.
Bottom line: A new lock installation from a professional should cost around $200 on the lower end and $350 on the higher end. Some popular service pricing sites like Homewyse put it much higher at $475 on average, but my research indicated a more conservative range, particularly if you stay within a locksmith’s local service area and hours.
Installing a DIY smart lock: What’s the up-front cost?
Smart locks are designed to be DIY, meaning you can install them yourself with tools you have at home. They typically come with video tutorials, guides and charts, but you should try my own complete guide on lock installation to see how it’s done.
The high-tech parts of a smart lock are ready to go and don’t require much setup beyond installing some batteries and connecting via the app. A screwdriver, a level and sometimes a drill are about all you need.
In other words, you don’t need a locksmith for a smart lock project. That means the only cost to consider is the price of the lock itself. They’re more expensive than a traditional lock, but are they more expensive than calling out a locksmith for a traditional lock replacement? Here are common examples by brand:
Bottom line: Compared to a traditional “dumb” deadbolt for around $15 to $20, smart locks are anywhere from $50 to $300 more expensive. But we’re fans of the value-adding features like autolocking, remote lock management, fingerprint sensors and other features that improve your front door safety. And since all of them are made for DIY, you can mitigate the costs by tackling the installation yourself.
Keep in mind, a lot of these smart locks go on frequent sales, so you can often find them with discounts to save more, too.
What about a smart lock retrofit?
A retrofit is a smart lock that goes over your existing deadbolt to control it with smart features. It’s an easier installation that some people prefer if they already like their deadbolt (albeit a bit bulky). One of the most popular examples is the August Wi-Fi lock, which sells for $200.
Because it doesn’t replace the entire deadbolt, a retrofit is usually less expensive. Expect to pay about $30 to $50 less for a retrofit compared with a completely new smart lock. It’s a way to avoid additional expenses when getting smart features.
Final note
Remember, if something goes wrong in your DIY installation you always have the option to call in a locksmith for some quick help. I had this happen once, when a previous lock’s screws were jammed in too tightly and I was in danger of stripping the screws with my own home kit. A locksmith fixed the problem in about 20 seconds. So you do have that option — it will just add a fee onto the overall smart lock cost.
For a complete look at home security choices, see if DIY security systems have lock options that fit your home, take a look at wireless home cameras, and find out how to stop porch pirates.
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