Lock changes and deadbolt installation in Raleigh

What it costs

You can save by buying the hardware yourself, but ask the locksmith first. Some will only stand behind parts they supply, and a lock that doesn't fit the door's existing holes adds labor.

Where a door actually fails

When a door is kicked in, the lock usually holds and the wood around the strike plate splits. Ask about a reinforced strike plate with 3 inch screws that reach the wall framing. It is a small part of the bill and does more than a pricier lock on a weak frame.

InterNACHI cites a survey, without naming it, finding that about a third of burglars entered through the front door and about a fifth through a back door.

Sticking locks and humid summers

Raleigh's damp summers swell wood doors and frames, and a deadbolt that throws fine in January can bind in July. Before you replace a lock that "stopped working," have the locksmith check the strike alignment. Moving a strike plate a few millimeters is cheaper than a new lock, and a motorized smart lock will thank you.

Sliding doors and odd locks

Sliding patio doors and older mortise locks use different hardware than a standard deadbolt. So do storm doors. One Raleigh resident posted that several locksmiths told them a sliding door lock was too hard or never called back. Mention the door type and send a photo when you request a quote, so the locksmith brings the right parts or tells you up front they don't do it.

Lock grades

ANSI/BHMA grade	Cycle test	Typical use
Grade 1	800,000 cycles, 1,200 lb latch strength	Commercial and high-security residential
Grade 2	400,000 cycles	Heavy-duty residential
Grade 3	200,000 cycles	Residential only

This Old House summary of ANSI/BHMA testing, June 2026.

Burglary in Raleigh

The Raleigh Police Department recorded 1,529 burglaries in 2025, down from 3,021 in 2010. Burglary fell faster nationally. Raleigh's rate has run above the national rate since 2023 (FBI Crime Data Explorer). A solid deadbolt and frame are still the basics. Raleigh burglary by year.