Hear from Our Customers
You’re not dealing with a sticky latch that doesn’t catch. You’re not second-guessing whether the lock will hold. Your door knob turns smoothly, the deadbolt slides into place without forcing it, and the hardware matches the rest of your home.
That’s what proper door lever installation gets you. No gaps between the strike plate and latch. No loose handles that wiggle when you turn them. No misaligned holes that make you wonder if you should’ve just called someone in the first place.
We install door knobs and levers the way they’re meant to function. The backset measurements are exact. The bore holes are clean. The finish matches what you picked out, and the whole assembly works the way it should from day one. You don’t think about your door hardware after we leave, which is exactly the point.
McCausland Lock Service has been handling lock and door hardware work since the late 1800s. We’re now in our fourth generation, with Tom McCausland and his daughter Chrissy running the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley.
We’re not new to Chadds Ford, PA. We’ve been serving Delaware County homes for decades, and we know what works in these properties. The Colonial-era homes near the Brandywine Battlefield need different hardware considerations than the newer builds off Route 1. We stock the right parts and know how to work with both.
Our shop is in Prospect Park, fully stocked with Kwikset, Medeco, and Schlage products. When you call, you’re getting technicians who are members of the American Locksmith Association of Pennsylvania and have seen every door knob installation scenario you can imagine.
You call or contact us with what you need. We ask about your current door setup, what type of knob or lever you want installed, and whether you already have the hardware or need us to bring options.
We schedule a time that works for you. Our technician shows up with the tools and parts needed for your specific door knob installation. If you’re replacing existing hardware, we remove the old knob and check the door’s condition, the bore holes, and the strike plate alignment.
We measure the backset to confirm it’s the standard 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches. If your new hardware doesn’t match the existing holes, we adjust accordingly without damaging your door. The new knob or lever gets installed with the latch facing the right direction, the screws tightened to the correct tension, and the strike plate positioned so the door latches cleanly every time.
We test it multiple times before we leave. You get a door that closes properly, locks securely, and doesn’t require you to lift or push the door to make it work.
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We handle the full scope of door knob and lever installation for Chadds Ford, PA homes. That includes removing your old hardware without damaging the door, installing new knobs or levers with proper alignment, and making sure the latch and strike plate work together the way they should.
If you’re upgrading to lever handles for accessibility, we make sure the lever operates smoothly and doesn’t droop over time. Levers are becoming the standard in 2025, especially in Chadds Ford homes where families want easier access for kids, seniors, or anyone carrying groceries. We install them with the right tension so they return to position and don’t sag after a few months.
We also handle rekeying if you’re changing locks at the same time, and we can match your new hardware to existing finishes. Matte black, polished brass, and brushed nickel are the most common requests we’re seeing in the area right now. If you’re working with a designer or contractor, we coordinate to make sure everything aligns with your timeline.
You’re looking at professional installation costs that typically range from $150 to $357 per door, depending on the complexity and hardware you choose. We give you a clear estimate before we start, and we don’t add surprise fees after the work is done.
Professional door knob installation in Chadds Ford, PA generally runs between $150 and $357 per door. That includes labor and the hardware itself, assuming you’re installing standard residential door knobs or levers.
If you already have the hardware and just need installation, labor costs typically fall between $75 and $150. The price depends on whether we’re working with a straightforward replacement or if the door needs adjustments to fit new hardware with different measurements.
More complex installations, like fitting a new knob into a door that previously had different bore hole sizes or backset measurements, will take more time and cost more. We’ll tell you upfront if your door needs modifications and what that will cost before we start drilling.
You can install a door knob yourself if the new hardware matches your existing bore holes and backset measurements exactly. If you’re swapping a knob for an identical replacement, it’s usually straightforward.
Where people run into trouble is when the new knob has a different backset or requires a larger bore hole. One wrong measurement and you’re drilling new holes in your door, which is hard to undo. The latch also has to be installed with the beveled edge facing the door jamb, or it won’t catch the strike plate properly.
If you’re not confident with the measurements or if you’ve already tried and the knob isn’t working right, calling us saves you time and prevents damage. We’ve fixed plenty of DIY installations where the door won’t latch or the knob sits crooked because the holes weren’t aligned correctly.
Door knobs require you to grip and twist. Door levers require you to push down. Levers are easier to operate, especially if you’re holding something, have limited hand strength, or want accessibility for kids and seniors.
In 2025, we’re seeing more Chadds Ford homeowners switch to levers for exactly those reasons. They’re also easier to open with an elbow or forearm when your hands are full, which is why they’re standard in commercial buildings and increasingly common in residential properties.
The installation process is nearly identical. Both require the same bore holes and backset measurements. Levers do need to be installed with the right tension so they don’t droop over time, but that’s a standard part of our professional installation. If accessibility or ease of use matters to you, levers are the better choice.
A straightforward door knob replacement where the new hardware matches the existing holes takes about 20 to 30 minutes per door. That includes removing the old knob, installing the new one, and testing it to make sure it latches and locks properly.
If the new hardware has different measurements or if the door needs adjustments, it can take longer. Drilling new bore holes or repositioning the strike plate adds time, but we’re usually still done within an hour per door.
We don’t rush the work. We’d rather take an extra ten minutes to make sure the latch aligns perfectly than leave you with a door that doesn’t close right. When we leave, your door knob works the way it should, and you’re not calling us back to fix something we missed.
Yes, we install smart locks and keyless entry systems for Chadds Ford, PA homes. The installation process is similar to traditional door knobs, but smart locks often require additional setup for the electronic components and connectivity.
We work with major brands like Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco, and we can install most smart lock models you purchase. If you haven’t bought the hardware yet, we can recommend options based on your door type, security needs, and whether you want features like remote access or keypad entry.
Smart locks need to be installed with precise alignment because the electronic latch mechanisms are less forgiving than traditional locks. If the door sags or the strike plate is even slightly off, the lock won’t engage properly. We make sure everything is aligned correctly so your smart lock works reliably every time you use it.
If your new door knob has a different backset or bore hole size than your existing hardware, we adjust the door to fit the new knob. That usually means drilling a larger bore hole or repositioning the latch hole on the door edge.
We use the right tools to make clean cuts without splintering the door or damaging the finish. If the new knob requires a 2-1/8 inch bore and your old one was smaller, we enlarge the hole to the correct size. If the backset is different, we fill the old latch hole and drill a new one at the right measurement.
This happens more often than you’d think, especially if you’re upgrading from old hardware to modern knobs or levers. We’ve done it hundreds of times, and we know how to make the adjustments without making your door look like it’s been modified. When we’re done, the new hardware fits cleanly and the door operates smoothly.
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