Quick answer: most smart locks install in place of an existing deadbolt in about 20 to 30 minutes, and professional smart lock installation in Indianapolis runs about $150 to $400 including the lock. This guide is for Indianapolis homeowners installing a smart lock or hiring a locksmith to do it.
A smart lock replaces your deadbolt and adds a keypad, an app, and often a mechanical key backup. Most models fit a standard door with basic tools.
Below are the tools you need, a step-by-step install, whether smart locks need wifi, and what installation costs in Indianapolis.
What You Need Before You Start
Check a few things before you buy so the smart lock fits your door. A quick measure now saves a return trip.
- A Phillips screwdriver, the only tool most smart locks need
- A door thickness of 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches for most smart locks
- A backset of 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches from the door edge to the bolt
- AA batteries, which power the lock
- A tape measure and a level to keep the lock vertically aligned
- A crossbore of 2-1/8 inches, the standard deadbolt hole size
- A power drill only if you need pilot holes or a cable channel
- A confirmed compatible model for your door and deadbolt hole
Most smart lock systems install on the interior side with two long screws through the mounting plate. If your door already has a deadbolt, the install is a straight swap, and the app's setup support guides the rest of the system.
How to Install a Smart Lock, Step by Step
The steps below cover most keypad deadbolt smart locks. Work slowly and keep the screws in a tray.
Step 1: Remove the Old Deadbolt
Unscrew the interior side of the old deadbolt and pull both halves off the door. Remove the bolt from the door edge so the hole is clear for the new lock.
Step 2: Fit the Mounting Plate
Slide the new bolt into the door edge and screw the latch plate flush. Then mount the smart lock mounting plate on the interior side of the door.
Line up the mounting plate so the screw holes match, then mount it square to the door. A level mounting plate makes the whole install sit right and the screws seat evenly.
Step 3: Install the Exterior Assembly
Hold the exterior assembly, the keypad half, against the outside of the door. Feed its cable and the two posts through the deadbolt hole toward the interior.
Step 4: Attach the Interior Assembly
Plug the cable into the interior lock, then tuck the cable neatly so it is not pinched. Set the interior assembly on the mounting plate with the thumb turn in the vertical position and tighten the screws.
Step 5: Add Batteries and the Battery Cover
Insert the AA batteries into the interior assembly. Snap on the battery cover, and the smart lock powers up and runs a quick calibration.
Step 6: Set Up the App and Test
Download the maker's app, follow the on-screen steps, and create your first keypad code. Test the lock and unlock with the door open before you close it.
Do Smart Locks Need Wifi?
Not always. Many smart locks unlock by keypad code or Bluetooth without wifi, so the lock still works if your internet is down.
Wifi is what lets you lock and unlock the door from the app when you are away, and get alerts. Some models need a separate bridge for wifi, while newer locks build it in.
Smart Lock Features Worth Knowing
Beyond keyless entry, smart locks add features a plain deadbolt cannot. These help you pick the model that fits your home.
- Auto-lock relocks the door after a set time, so you never leave it unlocked
- Guest codes let you give a cleaner or contractor a temporary code, then delete it
- Activity logs show who unlocked the door and when
- Voice control works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit
- Some models add a fingerprint reader or unlock by phone over Bluetooth
- Battery life usually runs 6 to 12 months, with a low-battery alert in the app
Are Smart Locks Secure?
A quality smart lock is as secure as a good deadbolt, and it adds features a key cannot. You can give each person a unique code and delete it later.
Most smart locks keep a mechanical key backup or a spare deadbolt, so a dead battery never locks you out. The lock also warns you when the batteries run low.
Smart Lock Installation Cost in Indianapolis
The smart lock itself runs about $100 to $300, depending on the brand and features. Professional installation adds about $50 to $150 in labor.
All in, smart lock installation in Indianapolis usually costs $150 to $400. A locksmith can also install several smart locks in one visit to save on the trip fee.
Avoid These Smart Lock Install Mistakes
A few checks prevent the most common smart lock problems.
- Check door alignment first, since a misaligned door causes jams and battery drain
- Binding deadbolts usually come from a misaligned latch or strike plate
- Align the mounting plate with the tailpiece so the bolt turns freely
- Test the auto-lock feature so it does not lock you out
- Pick a weather-resistant model for an exterior or outdoor door
- Most smart locks are not compatible with storm doors
- Firmware updates can change battery life, so keep the app updated
Pro vs DIY Smart Lock Installation
A basic keypad deadbolt is a fair DIY job if your door already has a standard deadbolt hole. Follow the maker's instructions and take your time.
Call a locksmith when the door has no hole, the door is metal, or you want several locks keyed and set up together. Before you hire, you can verify a locksmith through the Associated Locksmiths of America. Chief of Locks installs smart locks across Indianapolis. Call (317) 671-7873 for smart lock installation done right. Kwikset details how its SmartKey deadbolts let you rekey a lock yourself in seconds.