Lock installation, repair and security upgrades in Pacific Beach

What we do

• New deadbolt installation, including doors with no existing bore
• Handleset, knob and lever replacement
• Smart lock and keypad installation
• High-security cylinder upgrades
• Strike plate reinforcement and long-screw upgrades
• Lock repair: sticking, stiff, spinning or not latching
• Door closer installation and adjustment
• Sliding door and patio door locks
• Gate locks, padlocks and hasps
• Door viewers, chains and hinge security pins

Sticky, stiff or spinning? Repair first

Most lock problems are alignment, worn springs or salt-air corrosion, not the whole lock. A door that has sagged a quarter inch makes a perfectly good deadbolt feel broken. We adjust the door and strike, clean and lubricate the cylinder, and replace only the part that has actually failed. When a lock really is done, we show you why and recommend hardware that will not fail the same way. If the lock is fine and the keys are the problem, a rekey is the cheaper fix.

Choosing a lock that fits the coast

Residential and commercial locks carry ANSI/BHMA grades from 3 (basic) to 1 (heaviest duty). The grade measures durability and strength in standardized tests, not how hard the lock is to pick, so for a front door near the beach we suggest a Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt in a corrosion-resistant finish, and a high-security cylinder on top if pick and bump resistance matter to you. We stock solid options on the truck and are happy to install hardware you supply. High-security cylinders and gate hardware come up most on the larger homes in La Jolla and the hillside streets of Point Loma, where a corroded gate lock is as common as a worn deadbolt.

Fresh installs and door prep

Adding a deadbolt to a door that never had one means boring the door and frame cleanly, fitting the bolt and strike, and making sure the bolt throws fully. We reinforce the strike with a heavy plate and three-inch screws into the framing, which does more to stop a kicked door than any lock upgrade, and we add long hinge screws while we are at it.

Smart locks done properly

Smart locks are only reliable when the door closes and latches on its own without force. We adjust the door and strike first, then install and pair the lock, so you are not fighting a dead motor six months later. For vacation rentals we set up guest codes and show you how to change them; for homes we make sure there is a mechanical key or backup power option so a dead battery never locks you out.

How pricing works for installation and repair

The price follows the work: swapping a like-for-like lock is quick, a fresh deadbolt install with boring takes longer, and a smart lock adds setup and pairing time. Hardware grade and finish move the price, as does the door itself; metal and fiberglass doors take more work than wood. Repairs are priced by what actually needs fixing, and we tell you when a repair is not worth it.

Text photos of the door and lock and you get a firm quote before we come out, with the hardware itemized so you can compare our stock against something you would rather buy yourself. The pricing FAQ covers how quotes work in general.

What to have ready when you call

• A photo of the lock and of the door edge, inside and outside
• What the door is made of (wood, metal, fiberglass) and whether it has a deadbolt already
• The brand or model of any hardware you have already bought
• Your address and a time window, including evenings and weekends
• For rentals and condos, landlord or HOA approval if their rules require it

Common questions