How long should a deadbolt bolt be?
A deadbolt should throw at least 1 inch into the jamb, according to Seattle Police crime prevention guidance. A shorter throw is easier to pry or spread out of the strike.
Install a deadbolt on an exterior door
Tom Hanks, owner, 24/7 Express Handyman Service · Updated September 2026
24/7 Express Handyman Service installs deadbolts in Salt Lake, Park City and Heber. 1 inch is the minimum length Seattle Police advise for a deadbolt throw into the jamb. (Seattle Police Crime Prevention Bulletin: Home Security, Door Security)
What deadbolt install costs
| Salt Lake City & Millcreek | from $205 |
|---|---|
| Park City & Summit County | from $225 |
| Heber Valley & Wasatch County | from $225 |
Deadbolt install in Salt Lake City & Millcreek starts at $205: the 2-hour minimum at $95/hour ($190) plus the $15 fuel surcharge, with no dispatch fee. Time past 2 hours is billed in 30-minute steps. Larger parts are billed at cost plus 25%.
Call now
Answered 24/7 by Tom or his dispatcher.
24/7 Express Handyman Service confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee, and takes a card, before rolling.
Quick answers
Single or double cylinder deadbolt: which should I install?
Use a single cylinder deadbolt on solid doors, and consider a double cylinder only where breaking nearby glass would let someone reach the thumb turn. Seattle Police guidance says double cylinder locks suit doors with adjacent glass, but a keyed inside cylinder can slow an emergency exit, so keep the key handy when home.
What does a BHMA certified deadbolt mean?
It means the lock was tested to the ANSI/BHMA A156.40 residential deadbolt standard. BHMA says that standard specifies seventeen security tests, including loading the door against the deadbolt with 1,350 pounds of force.
What 24/7 Express Handyman Service does on site
- Door bored for the deadbolt cylinder and edge bore, with the faceplate mortised flush
- Strike and reinforcing plate set with 3 to 4 inch screws into the doorframe stud
- Bolt checked for full throw into the jamb and smooth operation from both sides
How it works
- Confirm door thickness, backset and the lock type you want before boring
- Bore the door and jamb, mortise the faceplate and strike, and install the lock
- Anchor the strike with long screws and test the throw with the door closed
- Referred out: smart locks that need hardwired power go to a licensed electrician; battery-powered locks are installed directly
When to stop and call
If a lost key, a move, or a failed lock leaves an exterior door without a working deadbolt, 24/7 Express Handyman Service can install or replace one so the door locks.
What happens next
- The written scope and price come first; you pick the lock, and the install is quoted to that hardware.
- Photograph the damage before anything is moved and keep every receipt; 24/7 Express Handyman Service provides an itemised invoice your insurer may ask for. The dispatch fee and job cost are paid by you on the day.
Every job 24/7 Express Handyman Service takes on is under $3,000 including labor, materials and any change orders (Utah Code §58-55-305); a change that would push a job over that line is referred to a licensed contractor, not written up as a second job. plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas appliance / combustion system work is referred to a licensed trade.
Sources
- Seattle Police Crime Prevention Bulletin: Home Security, Door Security — retrieved 2026-09-23
- BHMA Hardware Highlights: A156.40-2025 Residential Deadbolts — retrieved 2026-09-23