We get calls every week from Burbank residents asking about deadbolts. Some just moved into a new place near the Media District. Others got a notice from their insurance company. A few had a neighbor’s house broken into off Glenoaks Blvd and decided enough was enough.
Whatever brought you here, these are the real questions people ask us — and the honest answers from the Locksmith HQ Team.
Can I Actually Get an Insurance Discount for Installing a Deadbolt in Burbank?
Yes — and this surprises a lot of people. Most major insurance carriers (State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, and others with offices right here on Olive Avenue and San Fernando Blvd) offer a discount on homeowners insurance when you upgrade your locks to deadbolts. The discount typically ranges from 2% to 15% off your annual premium, depending on your carrier and what other security features you have.
For a Burbank homeowner paying $1,800/year in premiums, that’s $36 to $270 back in your pocket annually. The usually pays for itself within the first year.
Call your insurance agent first and ask specifically what documentation they need. Some want a receipt from a licensed locksmith. Others want a photo of the installed lock. We provide both after every job.
How Much Does Deadbolt Installation Cost in Burbank?
For a standard single-cylinder deadbolt installation on an existing door with proper prep, you’re looking at $85 to $175 per lock in the Burbank area. That includes the hardware and labor. If we need to drill a new hole in a solid wood or metal door (common in older homes around Magnolia Park and the Rancho neighborhood), it runs $120 to $225.
High-security deadbolts — Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or Abloy — cost more for the hardware itself, typically $180 to $350 installed. But these are virtually pick-proof and bump-proof, which some insurance companies reward with a higher discount.
We quote exact pricing over the phone before we come out. No surprises.
What Type of Deadbolt Should I Get for My Burbank Home?
Depends on your door and your situation. Here’s our quick breakdown:
Single-Cylinder Deadbolt
Key on the outside, thumb-turn on the inside. Best for most residential doors. This is what we install on 80% of Burbank homes — from the condos near Burbank Town Center to single-family homes up in the Hillside District.
Double-Cylinder Deadbolt
Key required on both sides. Good for doors with glass panels where someone could break the glass and reach the thumb-turn. We see a lot of these on older Craftsman-style homes along Kenneth Road. Note: California fire code has specific rules about double-cylinder locks on exit doors, so we’ll walk you through what’s compliant.
Smart Deadbolts
Keypad or app-controlled. Popular with Burbank Airbnb hosts and anyone tired of hiding keys under the mat. These run $200-$400 installed.
How Long Does a Deadbolt Installation Take?
If the door is already prepped with the right holes — 15 to 30 minutes per lock. If we’re drilling fresh into a door that’s never had a deadbolt (typical for apartments around Victory Blvd or older Burbank rentals), it takes 30 to 45 minutes per door.
We do the full job on-site. Show up, install, test it multiple times, make sure the bolt throws smoothly, and hand you all your keys. Most homeowners who need two or three doors done are finished within 90 minutes total.
Do I Need a Locksmith or Can I Install a Deadbolt Myself?
You can try the DIY route if your door already has the bore holes and you’re comfortable with a drill and chisel. Plenty of people do.
But here’s where it goes wrong: misaligned strike plates. If the deadbolt doesn’t line up perfectly with the strike plate on the frame, you’ll fight that lock every single day. We fix DIY deadbolt installs at least twice a week in Burbank — usually the homeowner got the hole slightly off-center or didn’t mortise the strike plate deep enough.
The other reason to go pro: insurance documentation. If you want that premium discount, most carriers want proof of professional installation from a licensed locksmith. A receipt from Home Depot for a lock kit won’t cut it.
What If I’m Locked Out After Getting a New Deadbolt?
It happens more often than you’d think — people get new deadbolts, forget to put the new key on their keyring, and end up standing outside at 10 PM. We handle house lockout in burbank calls 24/7, and we can get you back in without damaging your brand-new deadbolt.
Pro tip: after installation, immediately put one spare key somewhere accessible — with a trusted neighbor, in a lockbox, or in your car. Save yourself the late-night call.
Ready to Get Your Deadbolts Installed?
Our team serves all of Burbank — from the studios on the west side to the residential streets east of Buena Vista. We carry multiple deadbolt brands in our vans, so most jobs get done same-day. Check out our full range of Burbank locksmith services or call us directly at (818) 398-9391 to get a quote. We’ll tell you exactly what it’ll cost before we show up.
