The Real Cost of a Lock Change in Burbank
We get this question at least three or four times a week from homeowners across Burbank — from the older bungalows near Chandler Boulevard to the newer townhomes off Alameda. “How much to swap out my lock?” And the honest answer is: it depends, but we can give you a solid range.
A standard lock change in Burbank runs between $75 and $250+, with most residential jobs landing somewhere in the $100–$175 range. That includes labor and a quality lock. The wide range exists because no two doors and no two locks are the same — and we’ll break down exactly what moves that number up or down.
What Actually Affects the Price
1. The Lock You’re Installing
This is the biggest factor. A basic Kwikset deadbolt runs $40–$60 at the hardware level. A Schlage B60N — which is what we install most often in Burbank — sits around $50–$80. If you want a smart lock like the Schlage Encode Plus or August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, you’re looking at $150–$300 just for the hardware. We carry several options on our trucks, and we’re always upfront about what each one costs before we start any work.
2. Your Door’s Current Setup
Here’s where the knob-to-deadbolt upgrade gets interesting. If your door already has a deadbolt hole bored out (most Burbank homes built after the 1980s do), the swap is straightforward. But a lot of the older homes in the Magnolia Park area or near the Rancho neighborhood only have a knob lock — meaning we need to drill a new hole for the deadbolt. That adds about $25–$50 to the job for the boring work.
3. Number of Locks
Doing the front door only? That’s one price. But most customers end up doing the back door and garage entry door at the same time. We offer a per-lock discount when you’re doing multiple — typically $15–$25 off each additional lock.
4. Time of Service
Our standard rates apply during normal hours. Emergency or after-hours calls (say you realize at 11 PM that your knob lock was jimmied) do carry a service fee. That said, we’re available 24/7 across all of Burbank if you need us.
The Step-by-Step Process (What Actually Happens)
Here’s exactly what to expect when our tech shows up at your door:
Step 1: Assessment (5 minutes). We look at your current lock, check the door material and thickness, inspect the frame and strike plate, and measure the backset. On a lot of the homes along Verdugo Avenue and up in the hillside neighborhoods, we see solid wood doors that are easy to work with. Some of the apartment complexes near the Burbank Town Center have metal doors that need a slightly different approach.
Step 2: Lock Selection. If you haven’t already picked a lock, we show you what’s on the truck and walk through the options. For a knob-to-deadbolt upgrade, we usually recommend a Grade 2 deadbolt minimum. Grade 1 if the budget allows — they’re significantly harder to kick in.
Step 3: Removal of Old Hardware (5–10 minutes). We take out the existing knob lock. If you want to keep the knob as a secondary latch (which we recommend), we leave it in place and add the deadbolt above it.
Step 4: Boring and Installation (15–30 minutes). If we need to drill a new deadbolt hole, this is where the time goes. We use a hole saw to bore a clean 2-1/8″ hole for the lock body and a 1″ hole through the edge of the door for the bolt. Then we chisel out a mortise for the bolt plate, install the lock, and mount a heavy-duty strike plate with 3″ screws that anchor into the door frame stud — not just the trim.
Step 5: Testing and Key Handoff (5 minutes). We test the lock from both sides, make sure the bolt throws smoothly, check the alignment, and hand you your new keys. Most deadbolts come with three.
Total time on site for a single deadbolt upgrade: about 30–45 minutes.
Lock Change vs. Rekey — Which One Do You Need?
Not every situation calls for a full lock change. If your existing deadbolt is in good shape and you just want new keys (maybe after a roommate moved out or you lost a set), a lock rekey in Burbank costs less — usually $50–$80 per lock. Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys stop working, but keeps the same lock body.
A full lock change makes more sense when:
- Your current lock is a basic knob with no deadbolt (the upgrade scenario)
- The lock is visibly worn, loose, or damaged
- You want to upgrade to a higher security grade
- You’re switching to a smart lock system
- The lock is so old that replacement parts aren’t available
For the knob-to-deadbolt upgrade specifically, a lock change is your only option — there’s nothing to rekey if you’re adding a lock that wasn’t there before.
Why Burbank Homeowners Are Making This Upgrade
A standard doorknob lock can be bypassed in under 30 seconds with a credit card or a simple shimming tool. We’ve demonstrated this for customers in the Media District, along Olive Avenue, and throughout the Hillside District — and the reaction is always the same. A deadbolt, by comparison, requires the bolt to be fully retracted by a key or thumb turn. It can’t be shimmed or carded. That single upgrade is the most cost-effective security improvement you can make to your home.
For a full overview of our Burbank locksmith services, check out our service area page.
Get a Straight Answer on Pricing
We know pricing transparency matters. That’s why we give you a firm quote before any work starts — no surprises on the invoice. If you’re thinking about upgrading your locks or just want to know what it would cost for your specific door, give the Locksmith HQ Team a call at (818) 398-9391. We’re happy to talk through it, even if you’re just in the research phase.
