Hear from Our Customers
A working door knob isn’t something you think about until it fails. Then suddenly you’re stuck in a bathroom, locked out of a bedroom, or dealing with a back door that won’t secure properly.
You need it fixed now. Not tomorrow, not after three phone calls and a trip to the hardware store to buy the wrong parts.
When we install or replace your door knob, you get hardware that matches your existing finish, fits your door thickness, and actually works the way it’s supposed to. The latch catches. The knob turns smoothly. The lock engages without fighting it. You’re not wondering if it’ll hold up or if you’ll be calling someone else in six months because the cheap replacement already stripped out.
We stock manufacturer-approved parts from Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco because those brands last. Our techs show up with the tools and hardware to complete the job in one visit, usually within 20 to 30 minutes depending on what you need. No return trips. No “we’ll have to order that part.”
We’ve been handling residential locksmith work since the late 1800s. That’s over 140 years of the same family learning what works, what doesn’t, and how to do the job without wasting your time or money.
We’re the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley, and we’ve been serving Chester Heights and the surrounding Delaware County area for decades. You’re not getting a fly-by-night operation or someone learning on your door.
Our techs are members of the American Locksmith Association of Pennsylvania. We maintain a real storefront in Prospect Park where you can walk in, get keys cut, and see the hardware options we install. When you call, you’re working with people who’ve done this thousands of times and know exactly what your door needs.
First, you tell us what’s going on. Is the knob loose? Won’t turn? Latch not catching? We’ll ask a few questions about your door type and what’s failing so we know what to bring.
We typically arrive within 20 to 30 minutes if it’s an emergency, or we schedule a time that works for you if it’s not urgent. Our tech shows up in a fully stocked mobile workshop with the parts and tools needed for your specific lock type.
Before we touch anything, we explain what’s broken, what needs to be replaced, and what it costs. No surprises. If you’re good with it, we remove the old hardware, prep the door if needed, and install the new door knob or lever. We test it to make sure the latch engages properly, the lock works smoothly, and everything’s aligned.
The whole process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You get a door that works, and we clean up any debris from the installation. If you want to upgrade to a smart lock or keypad entry, we handle that too, including programming and setup so it integrates with your phone or home system.
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You get professional installation of the door knob, lever, or handle you choose. We bring options if you’re not sure what you want, including finishes that match your existing hardware throughout the house.
In Chester Heights and across Delaware County, we’re seeing more homeowners upgrade to smart locks and keypad entry systems. The convenience of not fumbling for keys when your hands are full or giving temporary codes to contractors and houseguests makes sense. We install all major brands and make sure they’re programmed correctly before we leave.
If your door frame needs adjustment because the latch isn’t catching, we handle that during the same visit. If the strike plate is worn or the hole needs to be repositioned, we fix it so your new hardware actually works instead of just looking nice.
We also handle lever installation and repair, which is especially common for interior doors or homes where accessibility matters. Levers are easier to operate than knobs if you have arthritis or you’re carrying something. We make sure they’re installed at the right height and that the latch mechanism is solid.
Service calls in the Chester Heights area typically run $75 to $150 depending on timing and complexity. Installation costs range from $100 to $300 based on the hardware and what your door needs. We give you the exact price before we start.
Most door knob installations take between 20 and 30 minutes once we’re on site. That includes removing your old hardware, installing the new knob or lever, and testing everything to make sure it latches and locks properly.
If your door needs additional work like adjusting the strike plate, drilling a new latch hole, or fixing alignment issues, it might take closer to 45 minutes. We’ll let you know upfront if we see anything that’ll add time.
The bigger factor is usually how fast we can get to you. For emergency situations like a broken door knob that’s keeping you locked in or out, we typically arrive within 20 to 30 minutes in the Chester Heights area. For scheduled appointments, we work around your availability and show up on time with everything we need to complete the job in one visit.
Repair means we’re fixing the existing hardware. If your knob is loose, we might tighten the set screws or replace the internal springs and latch mechanism. If the issue is minor and the hardware is good quality, repair makes sense and costs less.
Replacement means we’re taking out the old knob entirely and installing new hardware. This is necessary when the internal components are worn out, the knob is broken, or you’re upgrading to a different style or security level.
Here’s how we decide: if your door knob is a cheap builder-grade model that’s already failing, replacement is usually smarter than repair. You’ll spend money fixing something that’ll break again in six months. If you have quality hardware from Schlage, Kwikset, or Medeco that just needs adjustment or a new latch, repair is the way to go. We’ll be straight with you about which option makes sense for your situation and your door.
Yes. We install and service all major smart lock brands including keypad deadbolts, smartphone-controlled locks, and systems that integrate with Alexa, Google Home, and other home automation platforms.
The installation process is similar to a standard door knob replacement, but we also handle the programming and setup. That means connecting the lock to your WiFi, downloading the app, creating user codes, and making sure everything syncs properly before we leave.
Smart locks are becoming more common in Chester Heights as homeowners realize how much easier it is to manage access without physical keys. You can give contractors or dog walkers temporary codes that expire automatically, lock and unlock your door remotely if you forgot, and get alerts when someone enters. We’ll walk you through how to use all the features and make sure you’re comfortable with the system. If you ever have issues with connectivity or programming down the road, we can come back and troubleshoot it.
We carry the most common residential door knobs, levers, and deadbolts in our mobile workshop. That includes multiple finishes like satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished brass so we can match your existing hardware.
If you already bought hardware and just need it installed, we can do that too. Just make sure it’s the right size for your door thickness and that it includes all the parts. We’ve shown up to jobs where homeowners bought the wrong backset or didn’t get the latch assembly, which means we can’t complete the installation until the right parts arrive.
If you want something specific that we don’t stock, like a high-security lock or a particular designer finish, we can order it through our supplier relationships with Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco. You’ll get manufacturer-approved hardware at a fair price, and we’ll schedule the installation once it arrives. Either way, you’re not making multiple trips to the hardware store or gambling on whether the parts you picked will actually work with your door.
Most door knob failures come down to worn internal components. The springs that return the latch to the closed position weaken over time. The set screws that hold the knob to the spindle loosen from repeated use. The latch mechanism itself can wear down, especially on exterior doors that get opened and closed dozens of times a day.
Temperature and humidity also play a role, particularly in Chester Heights where we get cold winters and humid summers. Wood doors expand and contract, which can throw off the alignment between the latch and strike plate. You end up with a door that’s hard to close or a knob that feels stuck because the latch is dragging.
Cheap hardware fails faster. Builder-grade door knobs use thinner metal and plastic components that strip out or crack under normal use. If your door knob is wobbly, making grinding noises, or the latch won’t retract smoothly, those are signs the internal parts are done. Sometimes you can replace just the latch assembly or tighten things up, but often the whole knob needs to go. We’ll inspect it and tell you honestly whether it’s worth repairing or if you’re better off with new hardware that’ll last another decade.
Service calls typically range from $75 to $150 depending on whether it’s an emergency or scheduled appointment. Installation costs run between $100 and $300 based on the hardware you choose and what your door needs.
A basic interior door knob replacement with standard hardware is on the lower end. An exterior door with a deadbolt and handleset combo, or a smart lock installation with programming, is on the higher end. If we need to drill new holes, adjust the door frame, or repair damage from a previous installation, that adds to the cost.
We give you the exact price before we start any work. No hidden fees, no surprise charges after the job’s done. You’ll know what the hardware costs, what the labor costs, and what the total is before we touch your door. Most homeowners in the Chester Heights area tell us our pricing is fair, especially compared to what they’d pay at a dealership for automotive locksmith work or what they’d waste buying the wrong parts and trying to DIY it. You’re paying for 140 years of expertise and a job that’s done right the first time.
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