Residential Locksmith · Middle Tennessee
Door Lock Installation: Knobs, Levers and Handlesets Fitted Right
Instant Locksmith TN installs door knobs, levers, handlesets and entry sets on new or existing doors, including doors that haven't been drilled yet. We line up the latch and strike so the door closes cleanly, and confirm the price first.
- New doors and new hardware
- Your hardware or ours
- Upfront price before work
Who this service is for
Door lock installation covers putting the right latching hardware on a door: the knob, lever or handleset that holds the door shut and, where needed, locks it. It's the service to call when you've hung a new exterior door, finished a renovation, bought a new handleset, or want a different style throughout the house.
Instant Locksmith TN provides mobile door lock installation throughout Middle Tennessee, for homeowners, landlords and contractors finishing a job. If you're adding or upgrading a deadbolt specifically, see deadbolt installation.
Types of door hardware we install
Knobs
Classic round knobs for entry, privacy (bedroom and bath) and passage (closets and hallways) doors.
Levers
Easier to open with full hands, an elbow, or limited grip strength. A common choice for accessibility and for households with older adults.
Handlesets
A decorative exterior grip with a thumb latch, usually paired with a deadbolt and an interior knob or lever. Often needs an extra mounting hole below the bore.
Entry combo sets
Matched knob or lever and deadbolt, keyed alike from the box or keyed to your existing key on-site.
Interior privacy locks
Bedroom and bathroom locks with a push button or turn button and an emergency release from outside.
Keypad and smart sets
Code or app-based entry. Our keypad lock and smart lock pages go deeper.
Getting the fit right
Before installing, the locksmith checks a few measurements. The backset is the distance from the door edge to the center of the bore; most residential hardware fits 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches, and many latches adjust between the two. Door thickness matters too: standard exterior doors are typically 1-3/4 inches, and some hardware needs a different kit for thicker or thinner doors.
Handing matters for levers and handlesets. A left-hand and right-hand door need the lever pointing the right way. Many levers are reversible, but some decorative sets are not, so buy with your door's swing in mind.
Finally, the latch must meet the strike cleanly. On a newly hung door, the frame strike is often slightly off. Adjusting it during installation prevents a door that rattles, sticks or won't latch.
- Describe the job. On the order page, list the doors, the hardware type, and whether the doors are already drilled.
- Price confirmed. You'll see the price before work begins. Extra boring or strike work is explained and approved first.
- Install and align. Hardware goes on, latch and strike are aligned, and finishes are protected during work.
- Key and check. Exterior locks can be keyed to your existing key when the keyway matches. Every door is opened, closed and locked to test.
What does door lock installation cost?
Standard price: quoted before dispatch. Price depends on how many doors, whether they need boring, the hardware type (handlesets take longer than knobs), and whether you're supplying the hardware. If an undrilled door has to be bored (or a mortise pocket routed), door prep adds $60. Removing and disposing of the old lock is $5. We supply the hardware or install hardware you already bought. Rates by time the order is placed:
- Standard rate: orders placed 7 AM–8 PM
- After hours (orders placed 8 PM–7 AM): 1.5×
- Federal holidays (calendar date and observed date): 2×
- Federal holiday, after hours: 3×
- No weekend surcharge
- Mileage: $1.25/mile beyond 5 miles from the city center
Multipliers apply to everything on the job (service, labor, parts and hardware) except the flat $15 (inside city limits) or $25 (outside city limits) service call and mileage. The after-hours rate is set by the time the order is placed. Holidays are U.S. federal holidays, billed on both the calendar date and the observed weekday.
Installation is easy to schedule ahead during standard hours. See how our prices work.
Door Lock Installation FAQ
Will you install hardware I bought at a home improvement store?
Yes. Mention it when you order. Bring the packaging out so the locksmith can check the included latch, strike and screws.
What's the difference between entry, privacy and passage locks?
Entry locks are keyed and go on exterior doors. Privacy locks lock from inside with a button or turn, for bedrooms and baths. Passage sets don't lock at all and are used on closets and hallways.
Are levers less secure than knobs?
Not inherently. Security depends more on the lock's grade, the latch and the deadbolt than on knob versus lever shape. Levers are often chosen because they're easier to operate.
Can you change all the door hardware in my house to one finish?
Yes. We install entry and interior privacy and passage hardware throughout so finishes match, and key the exterior locks alike.
Do handlesets need extra drilling?
Often. Many handlesets mount through a second hole below the main bore. If your door has never had a handleset, expect some additional drilling.
My new door won't latch after the lock went on. Can you fix it?
Usually. It's typically a strike that's slightly out of line with the latch. If the lock is already installed and working otherwise, door lock repair covers adjustments like this.
New door or new hardware?
Order an installation online and we'll confirm the price before work begins.
