Smart Lock Installation in North Florida — All Major Brands

Smart Lock Selection — Getting the Right Lock for Your Specific Door

The single most common smart lock installation mistake is buying a lock before checking whether it's compatible with the door it's going on. This happens constantly — a homeowner purchases a Schlage Encode at a hardware store, discovers their door has a 2-3/8" backset instead of the standard 2-3/4", and the lock doesn't fit without modification. Or they buy a lock that requires a specific door thickness their exterior door doesn't match. Or they select a Wi-Fi lock but their router doesn't extend reliably to the front door location.

We handle these compatibility checks before recommending anything. When you call us about smart lock installation, we'll ask about your door — the existing hole pattern (bore size, backset measurement, door thickness), what lock is currently installed, and what the door is made of. That information determines which locks are drop-in compatible versus which require additional door prep work.

The Major Smart Lock Categories

Deadbolt replacement locks — The most common residential application. These replace your existing single-cylinder deadbolt entirely. Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and others make deadbolt smart locks in both touchscreen and keypad configurations. Most require a standard 2-1/8" bore with either 2-3/4" or 2-3/8" backset — the majority of residential exterior doors in North Florida accommodate this without modification.

Deadbolt retrofit/adapter locks — These mount over your existing deadbolt on the interior side, leaving the exterior hardware completely unchanged. August, Level, and similar retrofit locks convert a standard deadbolt to smart operation without replacing the cylinder. Useful for renters who can't modify door hardware, or for homeowners who want smart functionality without changing exterior hardware. The tradeoff is that these require a functioning deadbolt underneath and can't replace it if the hardware is worn.

Lever and handleset smart locks — Less common in residential applications but frequently needed for doors that use a lever/deadbolt combination or commercial-style handlesets. We assess the existing door prep to determine compatible options.

Smart lock deadbolts with integrated alarms — Some current models (Schlage Encode with built-in alarm, certain Yale models) include door-forced-entry detection directly in the lock, triggering a local audible alarm if the door is physically attacked. A useful single-device security addition for properties without a full security system.

Security System Installation — Layered Protection for North Florida Properties

A smart lock is a single layer. A complete security system adds depth — door and window sensors that detect intrusion at the perimeter, motion detection inside the home, cameras for visual verification and deterrence, and environmental sensors for flood and smoke detection. We design and install these as integrated systems where all components communicate through a central platform.

Door & Window Contact Sensors

The most fundamental intrusion detection component. A contact sensor on a door or window triggers an alert — and optionally a siren — when the circuit is broken by the opening. Modern wireless sensors are small, easy to install, and reliable. For North Florida properties with sliding glass doors and large window openings common in coastal construction, comprehensive door and window sensing is more important than in colder climates where windows stay closed most of the year.

Motion Detection

PIR (passive infrared) motion sensors detect the thermal signature of a moving body entering a space. For residential systems, pet-immune sensors use dual-element or downward-looking technology to distinguish between pet movement near floor level and adult human movement. For properties with large dogs or multiple animals, pet immunity is worth specifying carefully — a standard motion sensor in a home with a 70-pound dog produces false alarms constantly.

Security Cameras

Modern security cameras for residential installation are almost entirely wireless and cloud-connected. Key specifications that matter for North Florida installations:

• IP rating — The IP (Ingress Protection) rating defines how well the camera's housing resists moisture and dust. For outdoor North Florida installations, IP65 is the practical minimum; IP67 is better for areas with direct rain exposure. IP rating affects how well a camera holds up in the seasonal storms and humidity common across this region.
• Night vision range — Infrared night vision range should be matched to the space being monitored. A 30-foot IR range on a camera covering a deep driveway means the end of the driveway is invisible at night. Most residential exterior cameras specify 30–65 foot IR range; we match specification to the monitoring requirement.
• Local vs. cloud storage — Cloud-stored footage requires an active subscription and internet connectivity. Local storage (microSD card or NVR) doesn't depend on either, but requires physical access to retrieve footage. Most current systems offer hybrid storage.
• Brands we install: Ring (for Amazon ecosystem integration), Nest/Google (for Google Home integration), Arlo (for standalone systems with strong app and cloud features), Reolink and Hikvision (for NVR-based systems with local storage), and Ubiquiti UniFi (for commercial-grade installations requiring high camera counts and centralized management).

Environmental Sensors

Florida-specific environmental monitoring worth including in a full security system installation:

Water leak sensors — Placed near water heaters, under sinks, at dishwasher connections, and at the base of HVAC air handlers. A leak sensor that catches a supply line failure early prevents the kind of water damage that takes months to remediate. For North Florida homes with HVAC condensate drain lines — a common source of water damage when lines clog — a sensor at the secondary drain pan is worth the $20 it costs.

Freeze sensors — Less intuitive in Florida than in northern climates, but North Florida does experience freeze events. A freeze sensor on attic water lines or exterior pipe locations provides early warning during cold snaps.

Smart smoke and CO detectors — Z-Wave or Wi-Fi connected smoke and CO detectors send phone alerts even when you're away from home and can trigger automated responses (unlocking a door, sounding all sirens in the house) through smart home integration.

Monitoring Options

Security systems can be configured for self-monitoring (all alerts go to your phone; you decide whether to call emergency services), professional central station monitoring (a monitoring company receives the alert and dispatches emergency services based on a response protocol you define), or hybrid approaches where you receive simultaneous alerts with the monitoring company.

For North Florida vacation properties and seasonal residents, self-monitoring or hybrid monitoring is often the right choice — you receive immediate notification of any event and can visually verify via camera before dispatching, reducing false alarm calls. We advise on the monitoring structure that fits how the property is actually used.

Installation Process — What to Expect

Door assessment first. Before any hardware is purchased or ordered, we assess your door — bore size, backset, door thickness, existing hardware, and the physical condition of the door and frame. This determines what's compatible and whether any door prep work is needed before installation.

Hardware recommendation after assessment. We recommend specific models based on your door, your connectivity requirements, your smart home platform if you have one, your specific use case (primary residence, vacation rental, commercial), and your coastal exposure if applicable. We explain the tradeoffs between options in plain terms.

Installation and configuration. Smart lock installation is more involved than swapping a standard deadbolt — it includes the physical installation, Wi-Fi or Z-Wave/Zigbee pairing, user account setup, access code configuration, notification preferences, and integration with any existing smart home platform or rental management software. We don't hand you the box and leave; we complete the full setup and test every function before we're done.

Walkthrough and training. We walk through the app and the access management features with you before leaving. For rental properties, we walk through the full guest access workflow. For households with multiple users, we set up each user's access during the appointment.

Pricing for Smart Lock & Security Installation in North Florida

Smart lock installation (labor only, hardware not included): $85–$125 per lock for standard deadbolt replacement; $100–$150 for retrofit locks or doors requiring prep work

Smart lock hardware: Varies widely by model — budget category (Kwikset SmartCode) runs $80–$130; mid-range (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure Wi-Fi) runs $150–$250; premium (Schlage Encode Plus with Home Key, Level) runs $200–$350. We supply hardware at competitive prices or install customer-supplied hardware.

Security camera installation (labor only): $75–$125 per camera for standard exterior mounting; more for attic runs, conduit, or NVR wiring

Contact sensor installation: $20–$40 per sensor installed and configured

Full security system consultation and design: Complimentary as part of a system installation quote

We quote full system installations with line-item detail — hardware, labor, and any additional materials — before scheduling. For projects involving multiple locks, cameras, and sensors, we provide a written quote that you can review before committing.