Hear from Our Customers
You’re not paying for someone to turn a screwdriver. You’re paying for doors that close smoothly, locks that engage without forcing, and hardware that doesn’t wobble after three months.
A door knob that’s installed correctly means your strike plate lines up, your latch bolt catches every time, and your door doesn’t scrape the frame. That’s what keeps your home secure and your hardware functional for years, not months.
Most DIY installations fail because the bore hole doesn’t match the new hardware, the backset is wrong, or the spindle isn’t seated properly. You end up with a knob that turns but doesn’t latch, or worse—one that locks you out. Professional installation means we measure twice, drill once, and test everything before we leave. Your door works the way it should, and you don’t waste a Saturday fixing what went wrong.
Our family has been doing locksmith work since the late 1800s. That’s 140+ years of figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Tom McCausland and his daughter Chrissy run the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley from our Prospect Park storefront, just minutes from Lansdowne.
We know the housing stock in Lansdowne. Nearly half the homes here were built before 1940, which means older doors, non-standard measurements, and hardware that doesn’t always match what’s at the big box stores. We’ve worked on enough Victorian-era doors and mid-century colonials to know what fits and what doesn’t.
Delaware County families keep coming back because we don’t play games with pricing and we don’t upsell services you don’t need. We show up, explain what’s required, give you a clear price, and get the work done right.
You call or reach out online. We ask a few questions about your door type, the hardware you want installed, and whether you’re replacing existing knobs or installing new ones. That helps us bring the right tools and parts.
We show up with a fully equipped mobile workshop. Before we touch anything, we assess the door, check the bore hole size, measure the backset, and confirm the new hardware will fit properly. If your door needs prep work or if the existing holes don’t match the new knob, we tell you upfront what it takes to fix it and what it costs.
Once you approve, we install the hardware, align the strike plate, test the latch and lock mechanism, and make sure everything operates smoothly. The whole job typically takes 30 to 45 minutes per door, depending on complexity. You get hardware that works correctly from day one, and we clean up before we leave. No guesswork, no surprises.
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We handle door knobs, door levers, deadbolts, and smart lock installations. If you’re upgrading from knobs to levers—which more Lansdowne homeowners are doing in 2025 for accessibility and modern aesthetics—we make sure the conversion is clean and the door isn’t damaged in the process.
For older homes, we often need to modify bore holes or install adapter plates to fit modern hardware. We carry OEM parts from Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco, so you’re getting manufacturer-approved components that last. If you want smart locks or electronic deadbolts, we install those correctly so they actually work with your phone or keypad the way they’re supposed to.
Lansdowne’s median home value has been climbing—up 3.64% from 2022 to 2023—and homeowners are investing in quality upgrades that add value and security. Proper door hardware installation is one of those upgrades that pays off immediately. You get better security, smoother operation, and hardware that doesn’t need replacing in a year. We also handle lever repair, door knob replacement, and full locksmith services if you need rekeying or lock changes at the same time.
Most door knob or lever installations take 30 to 45 minutes per door. That includes removing the old hardware, prepping the door if needed, installing the new knob or lever, aligning the strike plate, and testing everything to make sure it latches and locks properly.
If your door needs additional work—like enlarging the bore hole, adjusting the backset, or installing an adapter plate for older doors—it might take a bit longer. We’ll let you know upfront if extra work is required and what that involves.
The goal is to get it done right, not fast. Rushed installations lead to misaligned latches, loose hardware, and callbacks. We take the time to measure, align, and test so you don’t have problems down the road.
Yes. Nearly half of Lansdowne’s homes were built before 1940, and we’ve worked on plenty of them. Older doors often have non-standard measurements, thicker or thinner door slabs, or existing bore holes that don’t match modern hardware.
We carry tools and adapter plates to make modern knobs and levers fit older doors without damaging the wood or compromising the door’s integrity. Sometimes that means drilling a new hole, shimming the latch, or using a conversion kit. We assess the door first and explain what’s needed before we start.
If your door is original to the home and you want to preserve its character, we can also source period-appropriate hardware or work with what you’ve found. The key is making sure whatever goes on that door actually functions and keeps your home secure.
The installation process is similar, but levers require slightly different alignment because of how the handle operates. A lever puts more torque on the latch mechanism than a knob, so the strike plate and latch need to be positioned precisely or the lever will bind or feel stiff.
Levers are easier to use—especially for families with kids, older adults, or anyone with mobility issues—and they’ve become more popular in 2024 and 2025 for both accessibility and aesthetics. If you’re switching from knobs to levers, we sometimes need to adjust the bore hole or install a reinforcement plate to handle the different stress points.
The good news is that most modern levers fit the same bore hole as standard knobs, so the swap is usually straightforward. We just make sure the latch is seated correctly and the lever doesn’t droop or stick after installation.
Yes. We install electronic locks, smart deadbolts, and keyless entry systems. The trick with smart locks is making sure they’re installed correctly so they actually communicate with your phone, keypad, or home automation system.
A lot of DIY smart lock installations fail because the bolt isn’t aligned, the batteries aren’t seated right, or the door isn’t prepped for the thicker hardware. We handle the installation, test the connectivity, and make sure the lock engages smoothly every time.
Smart locks are growing fast—search interest peaked in 2024—and more Lansdowne homeowners are upgrading for convenience and security. We work with most major brands and can walk you through how the system operates before we leave. You get the tech benefits without the frustration of troubleshooting a bad install.
That’s common, especially with older doors or if you’re upgrading to a different style of hardware. The bore hole size, backset measurement, or door thickness might not match the new knob’s specifications.
We assess the door before we start and let you know if modifications are needed. Sometimes that means enlarging the bore hole with a hole saw, installing an adapter plate, or adjusting the strike plate position. Other times, we can source hardware that fits your existing setup without modifications.
If you’ve already bought the hardware and it doesn’t fit, we can usually make it work or recommend an alternative that will. The goal is to get you functional, secure hardware without damaging your door or forcing something that won’t hold up.
Cost depends on the type of hardware, the condition of your door, and whether you need additional work like rekeying, strike plate adjustments, or bore hole modifications. A straightforward knob or lever installation on a standard door typically runs less than you’d expect, especially compared to the cost of fixing a DIY mistake.
We give you a clear price before we start any work. No surprises, no upselling. If your door needs extra prep or if you’re installing smart locks that require more setup time, we explain what’s involved and what it costs upfront.
The value is in getting it done right the first time. You’re not paying for a callback, you’re not replacing stripped screws or damaged doors, and you’re not dealing with hardware that fails after a few months. You’re paying for OEM parts, professional installation, and hardware that works the way it should for years.
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