Hear from Our Customers
You get a door that latches smoothly every single time. No wiggling the knob to get it to catch. No forcing it closed because something’s misaligned.
When door hardware is installed correctly, you don’t think about it. It just works. The latch bolt lines up with the strike plate. The knob sits flush and turns without resistance. The screws are tight enough to hold but not so tight they strip the threads.
That’s what separates a professional installation from a DIY attempt that looks fine until you actually use it. Homeowners in Darby, PA call us after they’ve tried installing door knobs themselves and ended up with loose fittings, misaligned latches, or knobs that fall off within weeks. We fix those issues and install new door hardware that lasts.
You also avoid the hidden costs of doing it wrong. Stripped screw holes mean you need wood filler or longer screws. Misaligned drilling means you’re patching and repainting. A knob installed backward means you’re taking it apart and starting over. We handle the details so you don’t pay twice.
We’ve been in the same family since the late 1800s. Tom McCausland runs the business today with his daughter Chrissy from our Prospect Park storefront, just minutes from Darby.
We’re the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley, which means we stock the parts you need and we’ve seen every door hardware problem that exists. When you call, you’re getting someone who’s installed thousands of door knobs, not someone learning on your door.
Darby homeowners know us because we’ve been serving Delaware County families for over 140 years. We’re not a franchise or a national chain. We’re local, we’re fast, and we show up when we say we will.
First, we confirm what type of door knob or lever you need installed. If you already have the hardware, we’ll install it. If you need help choosing, we carry Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco at our storefront and can recommend what fits your door and budget.
We typically arrive within 20 to 30 minutes for emergency calls in Darby, PA. For scheduled installations, we give you a tight window and stick to it.
Once we’re there, we assess your door and prep the area. If you’re replacing an old knob, we remove it without damaging the door or frame. If it’s a new installation, we measure and drill precisely so the latch and strike plate align correctly. Different manufacturers build door knobs differently, so we adjust our approach based on what you’re installing.
The actual installation takes anywhere from 15 minutes for a straightforward swap to 45 minutes for a new bore or a smart lock integration. We test the knob to make sure it latches properly, turns smoothly, and locks securely. Then we clean up and you’re done.
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We install standard door knobs, lever handles, deadbolts, and smart locks. If you’re upgrading to keyless entry or adding a lock to a door that didn’t have one, we handle the full installation including boring new holes if needed.
In Darby, PA, we see a lot of older homes with doors that weren’t prepped for modern hardware. We adapt the installation to fit your door without compromising its integrity. That might mean using a different backset, reinforcing the strike plate area, or shimming the latch to get proper alignment.
We also rekey locks during the same visit if you want all your doors on one key. Most Darby homeowners do this when they move in or after replacing door knobs, and it saves you from carrying multiple keys.
You’re paying for the labor, the expertise, and the assurance that it’s done right. We use OEM parts so the hardware lasts and you’re not calling us back in a month because something loosened or broke. The typical cost for door knob installation in Darby, PA runs between $150 and $300 depending on the complexity and hardware type, which is in line with the market but reflects professional work, not a quick fix.
Professional door knob installation in Darby typically costs between $150 and $300 per door, depending on the type of hardware and complexity of the job. A straightforward replacement of an existing knob with a similar model is on the lower end. Installing a smart lock, boring new holes, or working with a door that needs reinforcement costs more.
That price includes labor, professional installation, and testing to make sure everything works correctly. If you’re installing multiple door knobs at once, we can often reduce the per-door cost since we’re already on-site.
You’re not just paying for someone to turn a screwdriver. You’re paying for precise alignment, proper torque on screws, and an installation that won’t loosen or fail in six months. DIY installations often look fine initially but develop problems because the latch doesn’t align perfectly or the screws aren’t set correctly. We get those details right the first time.
Yes, we’ll install door hardware you purchased yourself. Bring it to the job or have it ready when we arrive, and we’ll handle the installation.
That said, not all door knobs are created equal. Some big-box hardware is designed for easy DIY installation but uses cheaper materials that wear out faster. If you’re unsure what you bought or whether it’s compatible with your door, we can assess it when we get there.
We stock Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco at our Prospect Park storefront, so if your hardware doesn’t fit or you want to upgrade to something more durable, we have options on hand. We’d rather install quality hardware that lasts than install something that’s going to fail and require another service call in a year. But if you’ve already purchased a knob and want it installed, we’ll make it work or let you know upfront if there’s an issue.
A standard door knob replacement takes about 15 to 20 minutes. We remove the old knob, install the new one, align the latch and strike plate, and test it to make sure it operates smoothly.
If we’re installing a door knob on a door that didn’t previously have one, or if we’re boring new holes to accommodate a different backset or lock type, it takes 30 to 45 minutes. Smart lock installations can take a bit longer because we’re integrating the electronic components and making sure everything syncs correctly.
The time also depends on your door’s condition. Older doors in Darby sometimes have stripped screw holes or misaligned frames that need minor adjustments before we can install new hardware. We handle those fixes during the same visit so the installation is solid and the door functions properly. You’re not left with a half-finished job or a knob that works today but loosens next week.
Door knobs require you to grip and twist. Lever handles require you to push down. That’s the functional difference, and it matters depending on who’s using the door.
Lever handles are easier to operate if you have your hands full, if you have arthritis or limited grip strength, or if you’re opening the door with your elbow. They’re also required by ADA accessibility standards in commercial settings, and many Darby homeowners install them for aging-in-place modifications.
Door knobs are more traditional and some people prefer the look. They also tend to be slightly more secure against forced entry because there’s no lever to pry or manipulate from the outside. Both can be installed with the same level of security if you choose a quality lock mechanism.
We install both types and can walk you through which makes more sense for your situation. If you’re replacing hardware throughout your home, you might want knobs on exterior doors for security and levers on interior doors for convenience. We’ll install whatever combination works for you.
Yes, we install smart locks, keyless entry systems, and electronic deadbolts. These systems are growing fast in Darby, PA as more homeowners integrate door locks with home automation and want remote access control.
Smart lock installation is more involved than a standard door knob because we’re working with batteries, wireless connectivity, and sometimes integration with your existing smart home system. We make sure the lock is aligned correctly, the electronic components are installed properly, and the system connects to your phone or hub without issues.
The most common problems with smart locks come from poor installation. If the latch isn’t perfectly aligned, the motor struggles and drains the battery faster. If the strike plate is off by even a millimeter, the lock won’t engage reliably. We handle those details so your smart lock works as smoothly as a traditional keyed lock.
We also program the system, test the connectivity, and show you how to use it before we leave. If you’re upgrading to keyless entry, you want it installed by someone who understands both the mechanical and electronic sides of the lock.
A loose door knob usually means the screws have loosened over time or the screw holes have stripped. Sometimes it’s a sign that the knob wasn’t installed correctly in the first place.
We can tighten the existing hardware if the screw holes are still intact. If the holes are stripped, we use longer screws, fill the holes and re-drill, or install a reinforcement plate to give the screws something solid to grip. In some cases, the knob itself is worn out and needs to be replaced entirely.
If your door knob keeps falling off, don’t keep tightening the same screws. You’re likely making the problem worse by stripping the holes further. Call us and we’ll assess whether it’s a simple tightening job or whether you need a repair or replacement. Most loose door knob issues in Darby homes can be fixed in one visit, and we’ll make sure it stays tight once we’re done.
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