Hear from Our Customers
Your door hardware does more than turn. It’s the barrier between your family and everything outside.
When a door knob or lever is installed correctly, the strike plate aligns perfectly with the latch. The screws go into solid wood, not just the trim. The mechanism operates smoothly without binding or sticking. You’re not fighting with it every time you come home with groceries.
Most homeowners in Newtown Square live in homes built in the 1970s. Those old doors weren’t designed for modern hardware. The bore holes don’t always match up. The backset measurements differ. You need someone who knows how to adapt new hardware to older construction without compromising security or function.
Proper installation also matters for your insurance. Many carriers in Pennsylvania offer discounts when you upgrade your locks every seven years. But that only applies if the work is done by a licensed locksmith, not a handyman or a DIY attempt that leaves gaps in your door’s security.
Our family has been doing locksmith work since the 1880s. That’s not marketing language. That’s actual generational knowledge passed down from Charles McCausland Senior to his son, then to Tom McCausland, and now to his daughter Chrissy.
We run the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley from our Prospect Park storefront. We’re not a call center that dispatches random contractors. When you call us for door knob installation in Newtown Square, you’re getting someone from our team who’s been trained in our shop and carries our reputation with them.
We’ve been serving Delaware County homeowners long enough to know what works in these homes. We know the construction styles, the common issues with older doors, and how to install modern hardware without creating new problems.
You call or contact us with your door hardware issue. We ask a few questions about your door type, the hardware you want installed, and whether you already have the new knob or need us to supply it.
We schedule a time that works for you. For most door knob installations, we can come out same-day or next-day depending on our route through Newtown Square and the surrounding area.
When we arrive, we assess the door and the existing hardware. Sometimes the old knob comes out clean. Other times, especially with older homes, we find stripped screw holes or damage that needs addressing before the new hardware goes in. We tell you what we find and what it’ll take to fix it right.
The actual installation takes about 30 to 45 minutes for a standard door knob or lever. We remove the old hardware, check the bore hole and backset, make any necessary adjustments, and install the new mechanism. We test it multiple times to make sure the latch engages properly and the door closes securely.
Before we leave, we show you how the new hardware works, hand you all the keys, and clean up any debris from the installation. You get a receipt and our contact information in case you have any questions later.
Ready to get started?
You get a licensed, insured locksmith who shows up when we say we will. We bring the tools and expertise to handle whatever we find when we open up your door.
If you’re upgrading to a new style of hardware, we make sure it’s compatible with your door before we start drilling. That matters more than most people realize. A standard residential door has a 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″ backset. If your new knob doesn’t match your old one, we need to fill the old holes and drill new ones in the right spot. We do that work as part of the installation.
For homes in Newtown Square, where the median property value sits above $600,000, you’re not looking for the cheapest option. You’re looking for someone who won’t damage your door, won’t leave you with a knob that sticks, and won’t create a security gap that voids your insurance coverage.
We also handle lever repair for homeowners who have hardware that’s loose, sticking, or not latching properly. Sometimes the issue is a worn spring. Sometimes it’s a stripped screw hole. We diagnose the problem and fix it, or we recommend replacement if that’s the smarter move.
Our service area covers all of Delaware County, and we keep a fully stocked mobile fleet so we’re not making multiple trips for parts. We carry hardware from Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco because those brands hold up in residential use.
Most door knob installations in Newtown Square run between $100 and $250, depending on the complexity of the job and whether you’re replacing existing hardware or installing something new on a door that didn’t have a knob before.
That price includes labor and basic installation. If you already bought the hardware, we install what you have as long as it’s compatible with your door. If you need us to supply the knob or lever, we add the cost of the hardware to the service.
The price goes up if we’re working with an older door that needs bore hole adjustments, if the door frame is damaged and needs repair before installation, or if you’re upgrading to smart lock technology that requires additional setup. We give you a clear estimate before we start any work so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
You can install a door knob yourself if the new hardware matches the exact specifications of the old one and your door is in good condition. Most big box stores sell knobs with installation instructions that work fine for straightforward replacements.
Where it gets tricky is when the bore hole doesn’t match, when you’re switching from a knob to a lever, or when you’re working with an older door that has non-standard measurements. That’s when DIY installations create problems. Stripped screw holes, misaligned latches, and gaps between the door and frame all compromise your home’s security.
Hiring a residential locksmith makes sense if you’re dealing with high-end hardware, if your door is older and might need adjustments, or if you want the installation done right the first time without risking damage to your door. It also matters for insurance purposes. Some carriers require professional installation to maintain coverage or qualify for security-related discounts.
A standard door knob or lever installation takes 30 to 45 minutes once we’re on site and have assessed the door. That’s for a straightforward replacement where the new hardware matches the old specifications and the door is in good condition.
If we need to drill new holes, repair the door frame, or adapt modern hardware to an older door, the job can take 60 to 90 minutes. We don’t rush through installations because the details matter. The strike plate needs to align perfectly. The screws need to go into solid material. The latch needs to engage smoothly every single time.
For smart lock installations, add another 15 to 30 minutes for setup and testing. We make sure the technology integrates with your phone, that the batteries are installed correctly, and that you understand how to use all the features before we leave.
A door knob is round and requires you to grip and twist it to operate the latch. A door lever has a handle that you push down to open the door. Both do the same basic job, but levers are easier to use if you have your hands full or if anyone in your home has arthritis or limited hand mobility.
Levers are also required by ADA accessibility standards for commercial properties, and many homeowners in Newtown Square are choosing them for that reason even in residential settings. They’re easier for kids, easier for seniors, and easier when you’re carrying groceries or packages.
From an installation standpoint, levers and knobs use the same bore hole and backset measurements, so switching from one to the other is usually straightforward. The main difference is the mechanism inside. Levers tend to have more moving parts, which means there’s more that can wear out over time. But quality brands like Schlage and Kwikset make levers that hold up just as well as their knobs.
Yes. We install smart locks and keyless entry systems for homeowners who want to upgrade their door security with modern technology. That includes brands like August, Yale, Schlage Encode, and Kwikset Halo.
Smart locks let you lock and unlock your door from your phone, give temporary access codes to guests or service providers, and get alerts when someone enters your home. Some models integrate with home security systems or voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
The installation process is similar to a standard door knob replacement, but we also handle the tech setup. We connect the lock to your Wi-Fi, install the app on your phone, program your access codes, and test everything to make sure it’s working correctly. We also explain how to change batteries, how to troubleshoot common issues, and what to do if the system loses connection.
A loose door knob usually means the screws have worked themselves out over time or the screw holes have stripped and can’t hold the hardware securely anymore. You can try tightening the screws yourself, but if they won’t tighten or if they keep coming loose, you need a locksmith to repair or replace the hardware.
If your door isn’t latching properly, the problem is either with the alignment of the strike plate or with the latch mechanism inside the knob. Doors settle over time, especially in older homes. That shifts the position of the latch relative to the strike plate, so even though the knob turns, the latch doesn’t catch.
We handle lever repair and door knob repair for these exact issues. Sometimes we can adjust the strike plate or tighten the mechanism. Other times, the internal springs or components are worn out and the smarter move is to replace the entire unit. We assess the situation and give you an honest recommendation based on what will actually fix the problem long-term.
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