Smart lock installation

A smart lock isn't really a lock upgrade — it's a key replacement. The cylinder behind a good smart lock is usually the same as a standard deadbolt. What you're paying for is the keypad, the app control, and the integration with your phone or hub. The actual security depends on the install.

Brands we work with

• Schlage — Encode (built-in Wi-Fi), Sense (HomeKit), and the keypad-only Camelot models.
• Yale — Assure SL (no key), Assure with key, and the Smart Module accessories.
• Kwikset — Halo, Halo Touch, Aura, and the SmartCode line.
• August — Wi-Fi Smart Lock (mounts over the inside thumbturn).

If you have a different brand in mind, call — most major smart locks follow the same general install pattern.

What's in a clean install

1. Confirm door prep is correct — bore size (standard 2-1/8"), backset (2-3/8" or 2-3/4"), and door thickness.
2. Remove the existing deadbolt without scratching the door.
3. Install the new lock with the keypad oriented correctly.
4. Replace the strike plate with the upgraded one in the box (or a security strike).
5. Test bolt throw — the deadbolt has to extend fully without binding.
6. Power up the lock, run through factory setup, and connect to Wi-Fi or hub.
7. Set up your first user code and test from outside.
8. Walk you through the app and explain the auto-lock, low-battery alerts, and backup options.

Common DIY problems we fix

• Bolt won't throw fully — door alignment or strike issue. The lock motor will burn out trying.
• Locks itself when door is still ajar — auto-lock setting wrong or door sensor misaligned.
• Keypad goes dead in weeks — wrong battery type or door drafts pushing freezing temps onto the keypad.
• Won't connect to Wi-Fi — distance from router, 5GHz vs 2.4GHz issues.
• Existing deadbolt cylinder still installed — yes, this happens. The old one was never removed under the new keypad.

Backup access

Always have a backup. Smart-lock batteries die. Wi-Fi goes down. Phones run out of charge. We strongly recommend a smart lock that includes a real key cylinder (most Schlage, Yale, and Kwikset models do) and that you keep one physical key somewhere safe. Keypad-only models with no physical key option are convenient but unforgiving.

Will it work with my door?

Almost any standard exterior door bored for a deadbolt will accept a smart lock. Older homes in Richmond Hill with non-standard door prep (we see this on doors built before the 1980s) sometimes need bore work first. We can usually tell from a photo of your existing deadbolt whether it'll be a clean swap.