Grade 1 deadbolts
The highest residential rating. Ideal for exterior and high-use entry doors. Stronger bolt, more durable cylinder.
Residential locksmith
Deadbolt Installation in Atlanta
A good deadbolt, hung right with a reinforced strike, is the cheapest real security upgrade you can make.
- Grade 1 deadbolts installed correctly
- Reinforced strike on every install
Deadbolt help
Deadbolt installation in Atlanta, done right from the bolt to the strike.
This is a security upgrade, not just a new lock. Most forced-entry break-ins are a single hard kick, and the door usually loses at the frame, not the lock. A spring latch on the knob keeps a door shut; only a deadbolt keeps it secure, and only if the strike side can take the hit. Short screws and a flimsy strike plate let the whole assembly blow open. We harden both halves: a solid deadbolt and a reinforced strike anchored with three-inch screws into the framing, so the door holds when it matters. It is a common upgrade in older Buckhead and Decatur homes where a knob lock was standard equipment.
The brand of deadbolt matters less than the install. A $90 deadbolt hung properly beats a $200 one with a wobbly strike and a bolt that only throws halfway. We bore cleanly, align everything to the door, and make sure the bolt throws fully and freely before we leave.
Why the strike plate is half the job
Most kicked-in doors fail at the frame, not the lock body. A standard strike plate comes with half-inch screws that go into the door jamb, not the stud behind it. One solid kick and the jamb splits around those short screws.
Every deadbolt we install gets a reinforced strike plate with three-inch screws that reach the stud. That one detail turns a door that folds on the first kick into one that holds. It costs nothing extra, but it is what actually makes the deadbolt worth having.
Single-cylinder, double-cylinder, and the trade-offs
A single-cylinder deadbolt uses a key outside and a thumbturn inside. It is the right choice for most doors. A double-cylinder requires a key on both sides, which adds security when there is glass near the lock but means you need a key to get out in a fire.
We will walk through the trade-off before installing a double-cylinder. In most cases a single-cylinder with reinforced glass or relocated hardware solves the same problem more safely.
Get a deadbolt installed or upgraded when:
- Your door has only a knob lock and no deadbolt.
- Your current deadbolt is old, stiff, or low quality.
- You just moved in and want a stronger entry door.
- You want all your exterior doors on one key.
- A contractor or property manager said you need one.
- You are adding a new door that needs a lock.
What we install
The right deadbolt for your door.
Deadbolts are not all the same, and the right one depends on the door, the risk, and whether you want a key backup or a keypad. Tell us what you have and we will match the hardware.
Grade 2 deadbolts
Solid residential security at a more affordable price. A good fit for secondary entries and rental properties.
Smart deadbolts
Keypad and app-based deadbolts installed and set up with codes. A key cylinder backup keeps you from getting stranded.
Garage and side doors
The door between your garage and your home needs a real deadbolt, not just a knob. We install one that matches your other locks.
How it works
Deadbolt installed right the first time.
A deadbolt is only as strong as its strike plate and the screws behind it. We bore cleanly, fit the bolt, and anchor the strike into the stud so the door holds up to a kick, not just a key test.
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01
Tell us the door
Give us the door material, whether a hole already exists, and how many doors you need done.
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02
You approve the price
We quote hardware and labor on the phone before we dispatch. No surprises at the door.
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03
We install it right
We bore cleanly if needed, fit the deadbolt, and install a reinforced strike with long screws into the stud.
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04
We test and key alike
We verify the bolt throws fully, test the key, and rekey to match your other locks if you want one key for everything.
Cost and options
What deadbolt installation costs in Atlanta.
Deadbolt installation starts around $95 to $150 per door, which includes labor, the reinforced strike, and hardware if you need us to supply it. Grade 1 hardware costs a little more than Grade 2. Smart deadbolts vary by model.
The price we quote on the phone covers everything we know about: the install, the strike, and any boring needed for a door with no existing hole. Nothing extra is added at the door.
Service
Starting price
Deadbolt install (we supply hardware)
Starting at $95
Install customer-supplied deadbolt
Starting at $75
Bore new hole in door
Starting at $50 add-on
Rekey new deadbolt to match existing locks
From $20 to $25 add-on
Final price confirmed before work starts. Reinforced strike plate and correct-length screws included on every install.
Why call J&M
A real local locksmith to install your deadbolts.
A deadbolt is only as good as its install, and a sloppy install is worse than no deadbolt because it gives a false sense of security. J&M Locksmith has been fitting locks in Atlanta since 2013, with insured local technicians who know the difference between a bolt that looks good and one that actually holds.
4920 Roswell Rd Suite 42 in Atlanta. In business since 2013, with mobile service across the metro area.
Insured, NASTF registered, and 1-800-Unlocks verified. You can confirm our standing before calling.
We match the hardware to your door and budget, not the other way around. Grade 2 is plenty for a lot of doors.
Reviews
What Atlanta homeowners say about us.
Real, unedited Google reviews from neighbors across metro Atlanta. Our 4.7-star rating from 203 reviews comes down to two things: we show up fast, and we charge what we quoted.
Service areas
Mobile locksmith service across metro Atlanta.
J&M Locksmith is based near the Roswell Road corridor and sends mobile vans throughout Atlanta and nearby communities. Response time depends on traffic, weather, and the job before yours, so call for the most accurate ETA.
Typical response windows
Atlanta15 to 20 min
Brookhaven10 to 15 min
Buckhead10 to 15 min
Chamblee10 to 15 min
Decatur15 to 20 min
Embry Hills15 to 20 min
Sandy Springs15 to 20 min
Tucker20 to 25 min
Marietta25 to 35 min
Roswell25 to 30 min
Visit our shop
You can also visit the shop.
Need keys, lock hardware, or in-person help? Visit J&M Locksmith at 4920 Roswell Rd Suite 42, Atlanta, GA 30342. For lockouts and mobile jobs, call first so we can send a technician directly to you.
FAQ
Questions before you call.
These answers cover what we hear most. A quick call is still the fastest way to confirm the details for your exact situation.
How much does deadbolt installation cost in Atlanta?
Most deadbolt installs run $95 to $150 per door with the hardware and a reinforced strike included, or starting at $75 if you supply the deadbolt. Boring a fresh hole in a door that has none is a $50 add-on. We confirm the full price on the phone before we start.
What grade of deadbolt do I need?
Grade 1 is the strongest, ideal for exterior doors. Grade 2 is solid residential security for less. For most homes we recommend Grade 1 on the main entries. We will match the grade to the door and your budget.
Why does the strike plate matter so much?
Because most kick-ins fail at the frame, not the lock. A reinforced strike plate anchored with three-inch screws into the wall stud is what stops the door from blowing open. We install one with every deadbolt.
Can you add a deadbolt to a door that has none?
Yes. We bore the door and frame cleanly for a new deadbolt and fit it properly. It is a common upgrade on older doors and rentals.
Should I get a double-cylinder deadbolt?
It can help if there is glass near the lock, since a thief cannot reach through and turn a thumbturn. But it requires a key to exit, which is a fire-safety concern. We will walk through the trade-off before installing one.
Can you key the new deadbolt to match my other locks?
Yes. We rekey the new deadbolt to match your existing locks so one key opens every exterior door. Just mention it when you call and we will set it up.
All services
Everything J&M Locksmith handles.
We are a full-service locksmith for homes, businesses, and vehicles across metro Atlanta. Whatever the lock, key, or door problem, there is a good chance it falls under one of the categories below, and the same local team handles all of it.
Homes
Residential Locksmith
Lockouts, rekeying, new locks, and home security hardware.
View residential
Businesses
Commercial Locksmith
Access control, master keys, high-security locks, and doors.
View commercial
Vehicles
Automotive Locksmith
Car keys, lockouts, fobs, transponders, and spare keys.
View automotiveNeed help now?
Call J&M Locksmith and tell us what is going on.
Tell us what happened and where you are. We will ask the right questions and give you the next step.