Hear from Our Customers
You need door hardware that locks when it should, opens smoothly every time, and doesn’t require jiggling or special techniques to operate. That’s what proper door knob installation gets you.
When we install your door lever or knob correctly, you’re not dealing with loose handles six months later. You’re not explaining to guests how to work your front door. The latch catches cleanly, the lock engages without forcing it, and everything feels solid under your hand.
This matters more in Chester, PA homes than you might think. Between the humidity swings and older door frames common in Delaware County, improper installation creates problems fast. A knob that seems fine initially starts sticking. A lever that wasn’t aligned right wears unevenly. Professional door knob installation accounts for these factors before they become your problem.
The McCausland family has been in locksmithing since the late 1800s. That’s not a marketing line—it’s generational knowledge that shows up in how we approach every door knob replacement and installation in Chester, PA.
We opened our Prospect Park location in 1981, and we’ve been serving Delaware County and Chester County ever since. Tom and his daughter Chrissy run the business now, bringing that same family expertise to every residential locksmith job.
Chester homeowners know us because we’ve been here. We understand the mix of historic properties and newer construction in the area. We know which door hardware holds up and which creates problems. That experience matters when you’re trusting someone with your home’s security and daily function.
First, we assess your door and frame. Not every door knob fits every door, and forcing the wrong hardware into place creates the exact problems you’re trying to avoid. We check the door thickness, backset measurement, and bore hole size to determine what’ll work correctly.
Next comes the actual installation. This isn’t just screwing in a knob—it’s aligning the latch mechanism, setting the strike plate at the right depth, and making sure the whole assembly operates smoothly. We test the lock multiple times, adjust as needed, and verify that everything engages properly.
After installation, we walk you through how everything works. If you’ve chosen a new lock type or keypad system, we make sure you understand the features. We also rekey locks on the spot if you need all your doors on the same key. You’re not waiting for a second appointment or trying to figure things out yourself.
The goal is simple: you should be able to use your door hardware without thinking about it. If it works right, you don’t notice it. That’s what professional door knob installation delivers.
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Our door knob installation covers everything from basic passage knobs to high-security deadbolts and smart lock systems. We work with the brands that actually last—Kwikset, Schlage, Medeco—because we’ve seen what holds up in Delaware County homes and what doesn’t.
Door lever installation has become more popular in Chester, PA, especially for families who find levers easier to operate than traditional knobs. We install both privacy levers for bedrooms and bathrooms, and keyed entry levers for exterior doors. The process includes proper alignment so the lever returns to horizontal every time without drooping.
For door knob replacement, we handle the full scope: removing old hardware without damaging your door, filling and re-drilling holes if needed, and installing new knobs that fit correctly. If your door has non-standard measurements from previous installations, we work with that rather than forcing standard hardware into odd configurations.
Chester County’s housing stock includes plenty of older homes with unique door hardware needs. We’ve worked on everything from Victorian-era doors needing period-appropriate knobs to modern renovations requiring sleek contemporary levers. That variety means we’ve likely handled whatever situation your home presents.
A standard door knob installation typically takes 30 to 45 minutes per door when the existing holes are standard size and the door is in good condition. That includes removing the old hardware, installing the new knob or lever, and testing everything to make sure it operates smoothly.
The timeline changes if we’re dealing with non-standard situations. If your previous hardware left oversized holes, we need to fill and re-drill them properly, which adds time. If the door has shifted or the frame needs adjustment for the latch to catch correctly, we handle that too. We’ve done installations that took 15 minutes and others that took two hours—it depends entirely on what your specific door needs.
For multiple doors, we work efficiently without rushing. Most homeowners in Chester, PA who are replacing several door knobs at once schedule a few hours for us to work through the whole house. That way there’s no pressure, and we can address any unexpected issues without cutting corners.
Yes, and this is one of the most common requests we get for door knob replacement in Chester, PA. If you’re replacing one broken knob but want it to match the rest of your house, we can usually find the same finish and style, or get very close.
The challenge comes when your existing hardware is discontinued or from a manufacturer that’s no longer in business. In those cases, we show you the closest current options in terms of finish, style, and quality level. Sometimes homeowners decide to replace all the visible hardware on one floor to create a cohesive look, which actually costs less than you’d expect when you’re already paying for a service call.
We carry or have quick access to the major brands—Kwikset, Schlage, Medeco—in finishes like brushed nickel, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished chrome. If you have a specific finish in mind, let us know when you call and we can confirm availability before the appointment.
Functionally, both do the same job—they retract the latch so you can open the door. The difference is in how you operate them and how they’re installed. Door knobs require you to grip and turn, while levers just need downward pressure to operate.
Door lever installation has become more popular because levers are easier to use when your hands are full, and they’re more accessible for people with arthritis or limited hand strength. The installation process is similar to knobs, but levers require more precise alignment. If a lever isn’t installed level, it won’t return to horizontal properly and will eventually loosen.
From a security standpoint, both can be equally secure when you’re using quality hardware. The idea that levers are less secure is outdated—modern residential locksmith hardware includes levers with the same security features as knobs. What matters more is the quality of the lock mechanism and the deadbolt you’re pairing it with, not whether you’re turning a knob or pushing a lever.
Not necessarily, but it’s worth evaluating while we’re already there. If your deadbolt is functioning properly and you’re happy with the security level, there’s no requirement to replace it just because you’re getting a new door knob.
That said, many Chester, PA homeowners choose to replace both at the same time for a few practical reasons. First, you can match the finish so your door hardware looks cohesive. Second, we can rekey both locks to work on the same key, which is far more convenient than carrying separate keys. Third, if your deadbolt is the same age as the knob you’re replacing, it’s likely due for replacement soon anyway.
We’ll give you an honest assessment when we look at your existing deadbolt. If it’s still solid and secure, we’ll tell you. If it’s showing wear or if the lock mechanism is outdated compared to current security standards, we’ll explain what you’d gain by upgrading. The decision is yours—we’re not pushing products you don’t need.
Yes, smart lock installation and keyless entry systems are a growing part of our residential locksmith services in Chester, PA. We install everything from basic keypad deadbolts to fully integrated smart home systems that connect to your phone.
The installation process is more involved than traditional door knob installation because we’re dealing with electronics, batteries, and sometimes Wi-Fi connectivity. We make sure the smart lock is aligned correctly so the electronic mechanism doesn’t bind, and we walk you through the programming process so you understand how to add and delete user codes.
One thing to know: smart locks require proper door alignment even more than traditional hardware. If your door is sagging or the frame has shifted, the electronic components will drain batteries faster and may fail prematurely. We check for these issues during installation and address them so your smart lock actually works reliably. We’ve seen too many DIY smart lock installations fail simply because the door wasn’t prepped correctly.
We handle emergency door knob replacement in Chester, PA regularly. A broken door handle when you can’t let your dog out or you’re locked in a room is genuinely urgent, and we treat it that way.
Call our Prospect Park location and explain the situation. We prioritize emergencies and can usually get to you the same day, often within a few hours depending on our schedule. We carry common replacement hardware on our trucks, so there’s a good chance we can complete the repair immediately without needing to order parts.
For after-hours emergencies, we have protocols in place to help Chester County residents who are dealing with security issues or complete lock failures. The foundation of our business has always been reaching customers quickly so you’re not stuck waiting. That’s been true since 1981, and it’s still how we operate today.
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