Hear from Our Customers
When door hardware is installed right, you don’t think about it. The knob turns smoothly. The latch catches every time. The door closes without sticking or rattling.
You’re not dealing with loose screws three months later. You’re not calling someone back because the strike plate wasn’t aligned. You’re not second-guessing whether the lock actually secures your home.
Proper door knob installation means the hardware matches your existing aesthetic, functions the way it should, and holds up under daily use. That’s what you’re paying for – not just the parts, but the knowledge of how those parts work together in your specific door, frame, and lock configuration.
In Swarthmore, where homes range from historic properties near the college to newer construction in established neighborhoods, the installation approach matters. Different door types, different frame materials, different security requirements. A professional residential locksmith accounts for all of it.
We’ve been in the locksmith business for over 140 years. Fourth-generation locksmith Tom McCausland and his daughter Chrissy run the largest locksmith operation in the Delaware Valley today.
That longevity isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about doing the work correctly enough times that people keep calling. In Swarthmore, where homeowners value quality and expect professionals who understand their properties, that track record matters.
We’re based in Prospect Park with mobile service throughout Delaware County. When you call, you’re getting technicians who are members of the American Locksmith Association of Pennsylvania and authorized to work on major brands like Kwikset, Medeco, and Schlage. We typically arrive within 20 to 30 minutes in Swarthmore with the tools and parts to complete the job on the first visit.
You reach out with what you need – new door knobs, lever installation, hardware replacement, whatever the situation is. We ask a few questions about your doors, the type of hardware you’re considering, and any specific concerns about security or accessibility.
We schedule a time that works for you, usually same-day if it’s urgent. Our technician shows up with a fully equipped service vehicle carrying the tools and common parts needed for most residential locksmith jobs.
Before any work starts, you get a clear estimate. No surprises, no inflated pricing once we’re already there. If you’re replacing knobs with levers for accessibility reasons, we’ll explain the options. If you’re upgrading locks at the same time, we’ll walk through what makes sense for your security needs.
The actual installation involves removing the old hardware, checking the door and frame condition, making any necessary adjustments to the strike plate or latch, and installing the new knobs or levers so they align properly and function smoothly. We test everything before we leave. If something doesn’t feel right to you, we adjust it until it does.
All work comes with a warranty covering both labor and parts. If something fails within the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no charge.
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Door knob installation covers the full scope – removing old hardware, installing new knobs or levers, adjusting the strike plate for proper alignment, and making sure the latch mechanism works correctly. If the door needs minor adjustments to close properly, that’s part of the job.
Lever installation has become increasingly popular in Swarthmore homes. Levers are easier to operate for elderly residents, people with arthritis, or anyone carrying groceries and trying to open a door with their elbow. They also provide a more modern look that many homeowners prefer during renovations.
In a community where the median home value sits around $557,900, hardware details matter. You’re not just replacing a functional component – you’re maintaining the overall quality and appearance of a significant investment. We help you select hardware that matches your home’s style while meeting your functional and security requirements.
Swarthmore’s housing stock includes everything from century-old homes near the college to newer construction. Each requires a slightly different approach. Older doors may need additional prep work. Newer pre-hung doors often have specific hardware requirements. We’ve handled both enough times to know what works and what creates problems down the line.
Professional door knob installation typically runs between $85 and $200 per door, depending on the complexity of the job and the hardware you’re installing. That’s the labor cost – the actual knobs or levers are separate.
If you’re replacing basic interior knobs with similar hardware, you’re looking at the lower end of that range. If you’re installing new exterior locksets with deadbolts, upgrading to commercial-grade levers, or dealing with doors that need adjustment work, the cost goes up.
The advantage of professional installation is that it’s done right the first time. You’re not dealing with misaligned latches, loose screws, or hardware that looks crooked because the holes weren’t drilled properly. For homes in Swarthmore where property values are high and quality matters, that peace of mind is worth the investment.
Levers make sense in several situations. If you or anyone in your household has arthritis, limited grip strength, or mobility issues, levers are significantly easier to operate than traditional knobs. You can open a lever with your elbow or forearm when your hands are full.
Levers also provide a more contemporary look that many homeowners prefer during renovations. They’re becoming standard in newer construction and updated homes throughout Swarthmore.
The main consideration is whether you have young children or pets who might be able to open lever handles more easily than knobs. For most interior doors that’s not a concern, but it’s something to think about for specific rooms. We can walk through your specific situation and help you decide what makes sense for each door in your home.
Yes, in most cases. If you’re replacing one or two knobs but want to match the rest of your home’s hardware, we can identify the brand, finish, and style you currently have and source matching pieces.
Some older hardware lines have been discontinued, which can make exact matches difficult. In those situations, we help you find the closest alternative or discuss whether it makes sense to replace all the hardware on a particular floor or area so everything coordinates.
For homes in Swarthmore’s historic neighborhoods, maintaining aesthetic consistency matters. We’ve worked with enough different hardware brands and finishes over the years to know what’s available and what will actually look right together. Bring us a photo of your existing hardware or let us see it in person, and we’ll figure out the best approach.
A straightforward door knob replacement on a standard interior door takes about 15 to 30 minutes per door. If you’re having multiple doors done at once, the per-door time goes down slightly since we’re already set up.
Exterior door locksets with deadbolts take longer – usually 45 minutes to an hour per door, especially if we’re also rekeying the locks or installing new strike plates with longer screws for better security.
If the door itself needs adjustment because it’s not hanging properly or the frame has shifted, that adds time. Same with older doors where previous hardware installations left oversized holes that need to be addressed before new hardware can be installed correctly. We’ll let you know upfront if we spot anything that will extend the timeline beyond a standard installation.
Either way works. Some homeowners prefer to select and purchase their own hardware because they have specific style preferences or they’ve already found exactly what they want. That’s fine – we’ll install whatever you’ve bought as long as it’s compatible with your doors.
Other people would rather have us source the hardware because we know which brands hold up, which finishes actually match, and which locksets provide better security. We’re authorized dealers for Kwikset, Schlage, Medeco, and other major brands, so we can usually get quality hardware at competitive prices.
If you’re unsure what to buy, we can make recommendations based on your doors, your security needs, and your budget. We’ve installed enough different types of hardware over the years to know what works well and what creates problems. That knowledge can save you from buying something that looks good online but doesn’t function well in actual use.
All our installation work comes with a warranty covering both labor and parts. If something doesn’t function correctly after we’ve installed it, we come back and fix it at no additional charge during the warranty period.
Most issues get caught before we leave. We test every knob, lever, and lock after installation to make sure it operates smoothly, latches properly, and feels solid. If you notice something that doesn’t feel right, mention it while we’re still there and we’ll adjust it.
Occasionally something develops after a few days of use – maybe the door settles slightly or the strike plate needs a minor adjustment. That’s normal and it’s covered. Just call us and we’ll schedule a time to come back and make it right. We’ve been doing this for over 140 years because we stand behind the work.
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