Hear from Our Customers
You’re not paying for someone to fumble through a YouTube tutorial at your expense. You’re getting a door that latches smoothly, locks securely, and doesn’t require jiggling the handle or slamming the frame.
Proper door knob installation means your hardware sits flush, your strike plate aligns perfectly, and your deadbolt engages without force. It means you’re not dealing with loose handles three months later or gaps that let drafts through.
When the job’s done right, you don’t think about your door hardware. It just works. That’s what matters when you’re carrying groceries, wrangling kids, or leaving for work in a hurry.
We’ve been handling locksmith services in Delaware County since the late 1800s. That’s over a century of door hardware, lock mechanisms, and security installations across Thornton, PA and surrounding communities.
We’re not a van with a phone number. We’re a family-run storefront at 1101 Lincoln Ave in Prospect Park, stocked with the parts and tools to handle your door knob replacement or lever installation the same day you call.
Tom and his daughter Chrissy run the operation now, backed by technicians who’ve seen every door prep issue, every misaligned bore, and every stripped screw scenario you can imagine. When you’ve been doing this as long as we have, there aren’t many surprises left.
You call or stop by our shop. We ask about your door type, the hardware you want installed, and whether you’re upgrading for security, style, or both. If you’re not sure what you need, we’ll walk you through it without pushing you toward the most expensive option.
We schedule a time that works for you. Our mobile service comes to your home in Thornton, PA with the tools and inventory to complete the job on-site. No waiting for parts or making return trips.
We remove your old hardware, check the door prep and alignment, and install your new door knob or lever. If there are issues with the bore size, strike plate position, or frame alignment, we fix those too. Before we leave, we test the latch, the lock, and the overall function to make sure everything operates smoothly.
You get a warranty on both parts and labor. If something goes wrong because of our work, we come back and make it right.
Ready to get started?
You’re getting more than someone who can turn a screwdriver. You’re getting a residential locksmith who knows how to handle door prep issues, bore misalignment, and hardware compatibility problems that stop most DIY projects cold.
We install standard door knobs, lever handles, deadbolts, and smart locks. We work with quality brands like Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco because they last and because we can get parts when you need them down the road.
In Thornton, PA, we see a lot of older homes with non-standard door preps and frames that have shifted over time. That means the new hardware doesn’t always line up with the old holes. We handle the adjustments, the shimming, and the strike plate repositioning so your door closes properly and your lock engages without forcing it.
If you’re upgrading to a smart lock or keyless entry system, we’ll handle the installation and make sure it’s programmed correctly before we leave. No guessing whether you did it right or wondering why the app won’t connect.
Installation typically runs between $50 and $125 for labor, depending on the complexity of the job and whether we’re dealing with a standard replacement or a more involved installation that requires door prep adjustments.
If you’re installing a basic door knob on a pre-drilled door with no alignment issues, you’re looking at the lower end of that range. If we’re retrofitting a smart lock onto an older door or fixing bore problems from a previous bad install, it takes more time and falls on the higher end.
The hardware itself is separate. A decent residential door knob runs anywhere from $30 to $150 depending on the brand and security features. Smart locks and high-security options cost more, usually between $150 and $300 for the hardware alone. We’ll give you a clear price before we start any work so there’s no confusion about what you’re paying for.
You can install a door knob yourself if the door is already prepped, the bore holes are the right size, and the new hardware matches the old footprint exactly. If those conditions are met and you’re comfortable with basic tools, it’s doable.
Where people run into trouble is when the door prep doesn’t match the new hardware, the strike plate needs repositioning, or the latch doesn’t align with the frame. That’s when a two-hour project turns into a full day of frustration, stripped screws, and a door that doesn’t close right.
Smart locks add another layer of complexity because they require precise installation for the electronics to function properly. If the fit isn’t exact, you’ll deal with connectivity issues, battery drain, and mechanisms that jam. A residential locksmith handles those problems daily, so the job gets done correctly the first time without the trial and error.
A door knob is the round handle you twist to open a door. A lever handle is the L-shaped bar you push down. Both do the same job, but levers are easier to operate if you have your hands full or if grip strength is an issue.
Levers are required by accessibility codes in commercial buildings and many newer residential builds because they don’t require a twisting motion. If you’re dealing with arthritis, carrying things frequently, or planning to age in place, lever installation makes more sense than a traditional knob.
From a security standpoint, both can be equally secure depending on the lock mechanism inside. The shape of the handle doesn’t determine how well it protects your home. What matters is the quality of the lock, the deadbolt integration, and whether the installation is done correctly so there aren’t gaps or weak points.
A straightforward door knob replacement on a properly prepped door takes about 20 to 30 minutes. That includes removing the old hardware, installing the new knob or lever, and testing the latch and lock function.
If there are complications like misaligned bore holes, a strike plate that needs adjustment, or a door that’s swollen or shifted, it can take longer. We might need to reposition the strike plate, shim the hinges, or adjust the door frame alignment to get everything working smoothly.
Smart lock installations typically take 45 minutes to an hour because there’s programming involved and we need to make sure the electronic components are functioning correctly before we leave. We don’t rush through it because a bad install on a smart lock creates ongoing headaches with connectivity and battery life.
Yes. We install smart locks, keyless entry systems, and electronic deadbolts for homeowners in Thornton, PA who want the convenience of remote access and keyless operation.
Smart locks require more precise installation than traditional door hardware because the electronic components need exact alignment to function properly. If the fit is off even slightly, you’ll deal with jamming, battery drain, and connectivity problems that make the whole system unreliable.
We handle the full setup including programming, app connectivity, and integration with your existing home security system if you have one. We’ll also walk you through how to use it, how to add and remove access codes, and what to do if the batteries die. The goal is to make sure you’re comfortable with the system and it’s actually making your life easier, not creating new problems.
We typically recommend and install Kwikset, Schlage, and Medeco because they’re reliable, widely available, and we can get replacement parts quickly if you ever need them. These brands have been around long enough that we know how they hold up over time.
Kwikset offers solid residential options at a reasonable price point and their smart lock line is user-friendly. Schlage is a step up in durability and security features, especially their deadbolt mechanisms. Medeco is the high-security option for homeowners who want maximum protection and pick-resistant locks.
We don’t push you toward the most expensive option. We ask about your security concerns, your budget, and how you use your doors, then recommend hardware that makes sense for your situation. If you already have hardware you want installed, we’ll handle that too as long as it’s compatible with your door prep.
Local Resources
