Hear from Our Customers
Your door knob turns smoothly every time. The latch catches without forcing it. The lock engages completely when you turn the key.
That’s what you should expect after installation, but it’s not always what happens. Too many homeowners in Secane are dealing with sticking hardware, misaligned latches, or locks that feel secure but aren’t actually engaging properly.
When door knobs are installed correctly the first time, you don’t think about them. They work. The door closes flush. The mechanism operates the way it’s supposed to. You’re not jiggling handles or wondering if the lock actually caught when you left for work.
Proper installation also means your door and frame stay intact. No stripped screw holes. No splintered wood from forcing hardware that doesn’t fit right. No gaps that let in drafts or compromise security because someone didn’t account for how your particular door was built.
We’ve been doing locksmith work since the late 1800s. Tom McCausland represents the fourth generation of his family in this trade, and his daughter Chrissy is learning it the same way he did.
We’re based in Prospect Park with a physical storefront at 1101 Lincoln Ave, which means we’re around the corner when you need us in Secane. We’re the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley, but we still show up for single door knob installations in homes built in the 1950s.
Most of Secane’s housing stock was built around 1956. We’ve worked on these homes enough times to know what you’re dealing with: original door frames that have settled, hardware that’s been painted over multiple times, and mechanisms that were fine quality when installed but have simply reached the end of their functional life.
You call or contact us, and we schedule a time that works for your schedule. We know most people in Secane are commuting an average of 32 minutes each way, so we’re flexible about timing.
We show up with the hardware you’ve selected or help you choose from quality manufacturers like Kwikset, Schlage, or Medeco if you haven’t picked yet. We’re not pushing the most expensive option. We’re recommending what actually makes sense for your door, your security needs, and how much use that particular entrance gets.
The old hardware comes off carefully. We’re checking the door and frame condition as we go. If there’s an issue—stripped holes, a crack in the wood, misalignment that’s going to cause problems—we tell you before we install new hardware over a problem that’s just going to fail again.
The new door knob goes in with proper alignment. We’re making sure the latch engages fully, the strike plate is positioned correctly, and everything operates smoothly before we’re done. You test it yourself. If it doesn’t feel right, we adjust it until it does.
Most installations are straightforward and quick. We’re typically done in 20-30 minutes per door unless we run into structural issues that need addressing.
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Door knob installation covers more than just attaching new hardware. We’re removing the old mechanism completely, assessing the bore hole and door edge prep, and making sure your door is actually ready for new hardware.
In Secane, where 33% of homes are detached single-family and another 36% are attached townhouses or duplexes, we see a lot of doors that have had multiple hardware changes over the decades. Sometimes the bore hole has been enlarged. Sometimes there’s damage from forced entry attempts or failed DIY projects. We address those issues so your new installation has a solid foundation.
We also handle lever installation if that’s what works better for your household. Levers are easier to operate if you have arthritis or mobility issues, and they’re required by accessibility codes in certain applications. The installation process is similar, but the hardware weight and door balance considerations are different.
If you’re upgrading from a basic passage knob to a locking mechanism, we make sure your door thickness and edge prep can accommodate the deadlatch. If you’re changing from a knob to a lever or vice versa, we verify the new hardware will cover the old bore hole or plan for a cover plate if needed.
Professional door knob installation in Secane typically runs between $70 and $175 per door for labor, depending on the complexity of the job and whether you’re working with standard bore holes or need additional prep work.
That’s just the labor. Hardware costs vary widely based on what you’re installing. A basic passage knob might run $15-30. A quality keyed entry set from Schlage or Kwikset is usually $40-80. High-security options from Medeco can go higher.
If we’re dealing with damaged bore holes, non-standard door prep, or you’re switching from knobs to levers (or the reverse), there may be additional work involved. We’ll tell you that upfront after looking at your door, not after we’ve already started. The goal is a price you understand before any work begins, not surprises when we hand you the bill.
Yes, in most cases. We handle same-day service throughout Delaware County when our schedule allows, and Secane is close enough to our Prospect Park location that we can usually get to you quickly.
If you’re calling about a lockout or security issue, we typically arrive within 20-30 minutes. For scheduled door knob installation, it depends on what else we have booked that day, but we can often fit you in same-day if you call in the morning.
The exception would be if you need specialty hardware we don’t stock or if your door requires custom prep work that we need to order parts for. But for standard residential door knob installation with common hardware, same-day service is realistic most days of the week.
Not if it’s done correctly. We install door knobs without damaging your door or frame because we’re using the existing bore holes and prep work whenever possible.
The risk of damage comes when someone forces hardware that doesn’t fit, over-tightens screws and strips the wood, or tries to enlarge holes without proper tools. We’ve seen DIY installations where the door edge is splintered, the face bore is cracked, or the strike plate is screwed in at an angle that splits the frame.
If your door does need additional prep—maybe you’re upgrading to a larger mechanism or the previous hardware left damage we need to repair—we do that work properly with the right tools. We’re not forcing anything or making it work temporarily. You want this installation to last years, and that means doing it right even if it takes a few extra minutes.
We install Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco regularly because they’re quality manufacturers that hold up to real-world use. We also work with other brands if you’ve already purchased hardware or have a specific preference.
Kwikset and Schlage are solid mid-range options that most homeowners choose. They offer good security, reliable operation, and they’re widely available if you ever need parts. Medeco is higher-end and makes sense if you need serious security or have commercial-grade requirements.
We use OEM parts when we’re doing repairs, which means the parts are made by the original manufacturer and actually fit correctly. That matters more than people realize. Aftermarket parts might be cheaper, but they don’t always operate as smoothly or last as long. If you’re paying for professional installation, you want hardware and parts that are going to function properly for years.
It depends on what’s actually wrong and how old the hardware is. If you’re dealing with a quality mechanism that just needs a new spring or latch component, repair makes sense. If the hardware is 30+ years old and showing wear in multiple places, replacement is usually the better investment.
Here’s the reality in Secane: most homes were built around 1956, and a lot of them still have original or very old hardware. At a certain point, you’re repairing something that’s going to fail again in six months. The internal components are worn. The finish is deteriorating. The mechanism doesn’t engage as positively as it should.
We’ll tell you honestly whether repair or replacement makes more sense for your specific situation. Sometimes a $20 repair gets you another few years. Sometimes you’re better off spending $100 on new hardware that you won’t think about again for the next decade. We’re not pushing you toward the more expensive option—we’re recommending what actually solves your problem long-term.
Yes. Lever handles are easier to operate than knobs if you have arthritis, limited grip strength, or mobility issues, and we install them regularly for homeowners who need that accessibility.
The installation process is similar to door knob installation, but levers have different weight distribution and put different stress on the door and mounting points. We make sure your door can handle that and that the lever is installed at the right height and angle for easy operation.
If you’re doing accessibility modifications throughout your home, we can handle multiple doors in one visit. We can also help you select lever styles that meet ADA guidelines if that’s a requirement for your situation. The goal is hardware that’s genuinely easier for you to use every day, not just technically compliant with accessibility standards.
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