Residential Lock Change and Door Hardware
Changing the locks on a house is usually about one of a few moments: you have just moved in, a key has gone missing, a relationship or a tenancy has ended, or the hardware has simply worn out. There are five signs that a lock is on its way out, and most of them show up long before it fails altogether. Locks R Us Locksmith handles all of them as a mobile locksmith service across West St. Louis County, so we come to your door rather than asking you to bring the lock to a shop.
Before quoting we look at the door as well as the lock. A lock that sticks is often a door that has moved with the seasons, and a strike plate adjustment can solve what looks like a failing cylinder. Where the hardware genuinely is worn or no longer matches the security you want, we will fit a replacement that suits the door, not just whatever is in the van. If you are considering an upgrade, read when high-security locks are worth considering.
Need locks changed at your house? Call (636) 628-7803. We are out seven days a week, 8 AM to 10 PM.
Service Feature Highlights
- Locally owned and operated
- Licensed and insured
- Professional service
- Help choosing suitable hardware
- Call to discuss your job
- Open every day, 8 AM to 10 PM
- Experienced technicians
- Houses, condos and rentals
Home Security Guides from Our Blog
- Fitting it yourself? See how a deadbolt should be installed so it actually holds.
- Choosing hardware: our take on the lock brands worth buying for a home.
- Renting or in a condo? Here are the best locks for apartments.
- The door from the garage into the house is often the weak spot, so read about garage entry door upgrades.
- Sliding doors need their own fix: how to make a patio door harder to force.
- Planning a bigger change? Start with upgrading home or office security.
Residential Lock Change Questions
How long does a lock change take?
A straightforward deadbolt or knob-set swap on a door that is in good order usually takes under half an hour. A whole house of three or four doors is typically a single visit.
It takes longer when the door has moved, the existing hole does not match the new hardware, or the frame needs work. We will tell you which of those you are looking at before starting, not halfway through.
Our guide to residential locksmith prices gives ballpark figures for each of those.
Should I change the locks when I move in?
Yes, and it is the single most worthwhile thing you can do on move-in day. You have no way of knowing how many keys are out there, or who has them: previous owners, relatives, contractors, a cleaner, an old tenant.
In most cases you do not need new locks for this. Rekeying the ones already on the door is faster and cheaper, and every old key stops working the moment we are done.
Locks are one item on a short list worth working through on move-in day.
Can I keep my handles and change just the lock?
Often, yes. On many doors the cylinder can be changed while the handles and trim stay exactly as they are, which matters if the hardware matches the rest of the house or is no longer sold.
Send a photo of the door and the lock when you call (636) 628-7803 and we can usually tell you before we arrive whether it is a cylinder job or a full replacement.
My key sticks and the door catches. Is the lock failing?
Usually not. More often the door has swollen or settled and the bolt is dragging against the strike plate, so the lock is fighting the frame rather than wearing out.
That is a cheap fix, and worth doing before it becomes an expensive one. Forcing a key in a binding lock is how cylinders get damaged and keys snap off.
What should I look for in a front door lock?
A deadbolt with a one-inch throw, fitted to a strike plate held by three-inch screws that reach the stud rather than just the frame. That last detail does more for security than most upgrades people pay for.
Beyond that it depends on the door and how you use it. We will tell you what is worth spending on and what is marketing. For the longer version, read how to pick a lock for a home or an office.
I rent. Can I change the locks myself?
Check your lease first. Most require the landlord’s permission and that they are given a key, and some specify who may do the work.
We work with landlords and letting agents regularly, so if you would rather we spoke to them directly about it, we can. If you are a tenant who feels unsafe, say so when you call and we will help you sort the permission out quickly.
