Deadbolt Installation
If you've recently moved into a home off Rt. 42 near Madison County's historic courthouse square, upgraded a rental property on Elm Street, or simply realized your aging exterior locks are no longer up to the job, a professional deadbolt installation is one of the smartest security decisions you can make. A properly installed deadbolt is the first mechanical line of defense on any exterior door — and getting it right means more than just drilling a hole and turning a screw.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed, bonded & insured
“At Madison County Locksmith, we're a fully mobile, 24/7 locksmith service based right here in London, OH. Our trained and insured technicians come directly to your door — no shop visit required — and handle everything from standard single-cylinder deadbolts to heavy-duty mortise lock systems on solid wood, steel, and fiberglass doors. Whether you're a homeowner in a quiet London neighborhood or a business owner managing a commercial property, we confirm an exact up-front price before any work begins, so there are never any surprises on your invoice.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and holidays — a real local locksmith answers and rolls a fully-stocked van.
Fast local response
Based in London, we reach the London area in well under an hour.
Insured & background-checked
Vetted technicians, up-front pricing, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
More about our work
Everything you need to know about how we help — at a glance.
Choosing the Right Deadbolt: Single-Cylinder, Double-Cylinder, Jimmy Proof, and Mortise Lock Options
Not every exterior door needs the same hardware. A standard single-cylinder deadbolt works well on most residential front and back doors, offering a keyed exterior and a thumb-turn interior. Double-cylinder models — keyed on both sides — are often chosen for doors with glass panels where a thumb-turn could be reached by breaking the glass. For doors that don't allow a traditional bored hole setup (think wrought-iron security doors or older London-area homes with narrow door edges), a jimmy proof deadbolt installation is a practical alternative: the interlocking rim design resists prying and spreading in ways that surface-mount locks handle extremely well. Our technicians assess your specific door type, frame condition, and existing hardware before recommending any product.
For properties requiring the highest level of mechanical security — including multi-family units, retail storefronts on Main Street, or any door that takes heavy daily traffic — a mortise lock is often the superior choice. Unlike a bored cylindrical lock, a mortise lock is set into a deep pocket cut into the door edge, giving it a much stronger anchor point and integrating the latch, deadbolt, and sometimes a strike plate reinforcement into one robust assembly. Our commercial locksmith team installs mortise lock hardware on both new and retrofit doors, and we carry stock compatible with standard mortise pockets as well as oversize European-profile cutouts. If you're unsure which system fits your door, call (740) 619-2988 — we answer 24/7 and can talk through your options before you commit to anything.
Our Deadbolt Installation Process: Damage-Free, Precise, and Built to Last
Every deadbolt installation we perform follows a methodical process designed to protect your door's finish and structural integrity. We begin by verifying door thickness, edge distance, and backset measurement — the three numbers that determine whether a lock will actually fit and function correctly. Misaligned bolt throws and poorly seated strike plates are the most common reasons a deadbolt fails years before it should, and both issues are entirely avoidable with careful measurement upfront. Where an existing bore hole is already present, we check it against the new lock's requirements and use reinforcement plates when the fit is loose. On undrilledoors, we use a precision hole saw and chisel set to create clean, correctly sized openings without splintering the door face.
Strike plate placement gets special attention because a deadbolt is only as strong as the frame it latches into. We install heavy-duty, multi-point strike plates with three-inch screws that reach the structural framing behind the door jamb — not just the thin trim layer. This single upgrade significantly increases kick-in resistance without altering the door's appearance. After installation, we test the throw action, check door swing clearance, and verify the key turns smoothly from both sides before we consider the job complete. Our goal on every call is a lock that works flawlessly the first time and every time after that.
Residential and Commercial Locksmith Services We Provide London OH
Madison County Locksmith handles a wide range of security needs across the London area and surrounding Madison County communities. Our residential locksmith services include: new deadbolt installation on exterior doors, mortise lock installation and replacement, door knob lock installation and re-keying, lock re-keying after a move or tenant change, master key system setup for multi-unit homes, high-security lock upgrades (Schlage, Kwikset, and compatible brands), sliding glass door lock installation, garage side-door deadbolt installation, mailbox and gate lock replacement, lockout service with verified ownership check, broken key extraction, lock repair for damaged or stiff cylinders, smart lock and keypad deadbolt installation, and door frame reinforcement with heavy-duty strike plates. Our commercial locksmith services cover: mortise lock installation for office and retail doors, jimmy proof deadbolt installation on security-grate doors, panic bar and exit device installation, access control keypad setup, master key systems for multi-tenant commercial buildings, re-keying commercial properties after staff turnover, file cabinet and desk lock replacement, storefront glass door lock installation, and high-cycle-rated lock hardware for doors used dozens of times daily. We also serve vehicle locksmith needs, including: car lockout response, transponder key cutting and programming, key fob replacement and programming, broken car key extraction, and ignition cylinder assessment. Need a copy of a key without scheduling a service call? Visit our key copy kiosk located inside the London Walmart — we can duplicate home keys, office keys, padlock keys, car keys, access cards, and key fobs right there on the spot, no appointment needed.
What Determines the Cost of a Locksmith Call — and How We Price Our Work
We get asked about cost on nearly every call, and the honest answer is that several variables shape the final number: the type of lock being installed (a basic single-cylinder deadbolt and a full mortise lock assembly are very different jobs), the condition of the existing door and frame (additional reinforcement work adds time and materials), the time of day (emergency overnight calls carry different logistics than a scheduled afternoon visit), travel distance from our London base, and whether specialty hardware needs to be sourced. There is no single flat rate that fairly covers all of those combinations, which is why we quote each job individually. What we commit to every time: you receive a clear, confirmed price before any work begins — no hidden labor fees, no after-the-fact parts charges.
Questions like 'how much should a locksmith cost per hour,' 'how much is a local locksmith,' or 'what is a locksmith call out fee' are completely reasonable to ask, and we encourage you to ask them directly when you call. We'd rather explain our pricing clearly over the phone than have anyone feel uncertain. For emergency locksmith situations — a broken lock at midnight, a door that won't secure after a break-in attempt — our technicians are dispatched immediately regardless of the hour, and the cost factors for those calls are explained just as transparently as a scheduled morning appointment. Call (740) 619-2988 any time and we'll walk you through exactly what to expect before a single tool comes out of the van.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a mortise lock or a standard deadbolt for my front door?
It depends on your door type, frame construction, and security needs. Standard cylindrical deadbolts work well on most residential exterior doors. A mortise lock offers deeper mechanical integration and is often the better choice for heavy commercial doors, older homes with thick solid-wood doors, or any property that needs a higher cycle-rated, more tamper-resistant system. Our technicians assess your specific door during the visit and explain which option makes practical sense — no upselling, just an honest recommendation based on what we see.
What is a jimmy proof deadbolt installation, and when does it make sense?
A jimmy proof deadbolt uses an interlocking rim-mounted design rather than a bolt that slides through the door edge. The deadbolt's rotating ring interlocks with the strike plate in a way that resists the spreading and prying attacks that defeat standard surface-mount bolts. It's an excellent option for wrought-iron security doors, doors with very narrow edges that won't accommodate a standard bore, or as a secondary lock on an already-equipped door. We carry and install compatible hardware and can combine it with a mortise lock or primary deadbolt on the same door if needed.
How long does a typical deadbolt installation take?
For a straightforward installation on a pre-bored door — meaning the hole is already the correct size — most jobs are completed in 30 to 60 minutes. If we're drilling a new hole, installing a mortise lock pocket, adding frame reinforcement, or working with an unusual door material like fiberglass or steel, expect 60 to 90 minutes. We'll give you an honest time estimate when we quote the job. Our mobile setup means we bring all necessary tools and commonly needed hardware directly to your London-area address.
Can you re-key my existing deadbolt instead of replacing it?
Absolutely. If your current deadbolt is in good mechanical condition — the cylinder isn't worn, the bolt throw is smooth, and the lock body shows no damage — re-keying is a practical option that changes the working key without replacing the hardware. This is a popular choice after moving into a new home in London, after a tenant moves out of a rental, or when keys have been lost or copied without authorization. We carry a wide range of replacement cylinders and pinning kits and can re-key most major brand locks on the spot.
Do you handle emergency locksmith calls for broken or damaged deadbolts?
Yes. Broken deadbolts — whether from a forced entry attempt, internal mechanism failure, or a snapped key stuck in the cylinder — are exactly the kind of call we handle at any hour. Our technicians are dispatched 24/7 across London and surrounding Madison County areas. When you call (740) 619-2988, we'll diagnose the situation over the phone, let you know whether repair or full replacement is the likely outcome, confirm your price, and get someone to your location as quickly as possible. We prioritize getting your door secured, especially in late-night or post-incident situations.
Where is your key copy kiosk, and what types of keys can it duplicate?
Our key copy kiosk is located inside the Walmart in London, OH — no appointment needed. The kiosk can duplicate a wide range of keys including standard house and office keys, padlock keys, car keys (including many transponder and chip keys), key fobs, and access cards. It's a fast, convenient option when you just need an extra copy without scheduling a full service call. For more complex car key programming or high-security keys that require locksmith expertise, our mobile team handles those directly at your location.