Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Kwikset Deadbolt Installation: The Fort Worth Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Kwikset deadbolts across Fort Worth for $145-$280 installed, depending on the grade and whether the door needs additional prep work. Most residential jobs are completed same-day, and we carry the full SmartKey and traditional cylinder lines on our trucks. In Fort Worth, we see the highest call volume for deadbolt replacements after the first cold snap in November, when expanded door frames from summer heat contract and bind the bolt.
Which Kwikset Models This Applies To
Kwikset deadbolts fall into three series that matter for installation: the 660/665 single-cylinder and double-cylinder lines, the 980/985 ANSI Grade 1 heavy-duty sets, and the 916/914 SmartCode electronic deadbolts. The backset, the distance from the door edge to the center of the cylinder, is either 2-3/8 inches or 2-3/4 inches. Most Fort Worth homes built between 1985 and 2010 came with 2-3/8; anything after 2010 often runs 2-3/4. We measure before we quote.
The SmartKey rekeyable cylinders, introduced in 2007, use a different tailpiece and housing than traditional pinned cylinders. You cannot drop a SmartKey core into a pre-2007 deadbolt body. We stock both. For aftermarket, we use Kwikset OEM or select Grade 1 equivalents that meet the same ANSI/BHMA A156.36 standard. The OEM cylinder housing is zinc die-cast; the Grade 1 aftermarket we carry uses solid brass. In Fort Worth’s clay-heavy soil, which shifts doors out of square seasonally, the brass housing holds alignment better.
Signs Your Kwikset Deadbolt Installation Is Failing
- The key turns but the bolt does not extend. The tailpiece that connects the thumb turn or key cylinder to the bolt mechanism has sheared or slipped its alignment. In SmartKey models, this often means the sidebar has worn and is no longer lifting the pins to the shear line.
- The bolt sticks or requires shoulder pressure to operate. The door has settled or the strike plate has shifted, common in Fort Worth’s expansive clay soils after heavy spring rains. The bolt is scraping the strike rather than entering it freely.
- The cylinder spins freely with no resistance. The set screw that secures the cylinder to the housing has backed out, or the housing threads have stripped. On Kwikset 660 series, this is usually a 1/8-inch hex set screw at the 6 o’clock position.
- The SmartKey rekey function fails or the key jams. The sidebar spring has weakened, or a master wafer has slipped out of position. We see this most often on SmartKey units that have been rekeyed more than five times.
- The deadbolt can be pushed back with a credit card or thin tool. The bolt lacks the anti-saw pins or the throw is incomplete due to worn internal cams. On any deadbolt, the bolt must extend a full one inch to meet ANSI Grade 1; many failing units in older Fort Worth homes throw 5/8 inch or less.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Kwikset 660/665 single-cylinder installed | $145-$185 |
| Kwikset 980/985 Grade 1 installed | $195-$250 |
| Kwikset 916 SmartCode electronic installed | $220-$280 |
| Door prep or strike adjustment (if needed) | $35-$65 |
| Rekey to match existing key | $15-$25 per cylinder |
The range reflects door condition, not bait pricing. A standard replacement on a door that is plumb and prepped takes 25 minutes. A door that has warped in Fort Worth’s heat, or a strike plate mortised into a steel jamb, takes longer. We quote the full installed price on the phone, and Haven Standard Clause 1 applies: the price on the phone is the price on the invoice. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers labor and defects. Every job receives a documented photo record before and after.
DIY or Call Us?
An owner can safely check two things: whether the set screw is loose (tighten with a 1/8-inch hex key, but do not over-torque) and whether the strike plate is misaligned (look for polished metal where the bolt has been scraping). Beyond that, deadbolt installation involves drilling to precise depths, aligning the tailpiece without binding, and ensuring the bolt throw is complete. A misaligned tailpiece will work for three weeks, then snap.
We are not affiliated with Kwikset. We are an independent Fort Worth locksmith that stocks their hardware because it is what most local homes were built with. If you are unsure of the backset or series, call us at (817) 765-4998. We will walk you through identifying it over the phone, quote a firm price, and schedule the work.
FAQs
A Grade 2 Kwikset deadbolt in Fort Worth typically lasts 10-15 years with normal use. The thermal cycling, 20-degree winter lows to 105-degree summer highs, accelerates wear on the zinc housing and dries out lubricants faster than in coastal climates. Call (817) 765-4998 for an exact quote on replacement.
Sometimes. A loose set screw or misaligned strike plate is a 10-minute adjustment. A sheared tailpiece, worn SmartKey sidebar, or cracked housing requires replacement, and the parts cost approaches the price of a new unit. We will tell you which it is when we see it. Call (817) 765-4998 for a free assessment.
Most residential Kwikset deadbolt replacements take 25-45 minutes from van arrival to photo record. Electronic SmartCode units add 15 minutes for programming and testing. We stock all common models, so there is no wait for parts. Call (817) 765-4998 to schedule same-day service in Fort Worth.
Yes. We stock the 660, 980, and SmartCode 916 series in satin nickel and Venetian bronze, the two finishes that match 80 percent of Fort Worth residential hardware. If your finish is discontinued, we will source it or match the closest current equivalent and show you both before installation. Call (817) 765-4998 to confirm availability.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner, Novak Lock & Security Fort Worth at Novak Lock & Security Fort Worth, serving Fort Worth and nearby areas.