Lock Installation & Repair
New Locks, Hardware Upgrades, and On-Site Repairs for Homes and Businesses
A lock that’s worn out, damaged, or simply never there creates a gap in your security that doesn’t fix itself. The same is true of a lock that technically works but sticks, wobbles, or no longer lines up with its strike plate. Those aren’t minor annoyances; they’re signs the hardware needs attention. Whether you need a new lock installed or an existing lock brought back to working order, we’re here to assist.
FXBG Keys LLC installs and repairs locks for homes and businesses across Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper, and Thornburg, Virginia. We carry hardware on the truck, so most jobs don’t require a parts run or a return visit.
New Lock Installation
Our experienced locksmiths can install all types of residential and commercial door lock hardware, including matching deadbolt and thumb-latch handlesets in the style and finish of your choice.
Installing a lock correctly matters more than most people realize. A deadbolt or knob set that isn’t properly aligned with the strike plate, seated flush in the door edge, or secured with the right fasteners will wear out faster and offer less resistance to forced entry than one that’s fitted properly. We measure, fit, and test every lock we install, adjusting the strike plate position and faceplate depth until the hardware operates smoothly and seats correctly in the frame.
Common reasons to call us for a new installation include:
- Moving into a home where you don’t know the history of the existing locks
- Upgrading builder-grade hardware to heavier-duty deadbolts
- Adding a lock to a door that didn’t have one
- Replacing locks damaged in a break-in or by long-term wear
We work with deadbolts, knob sets, mortise locks, and lever sets across a wide range of residential and light commercial door types. If you’re not sure which hardware fits your door or situation, we can advise before any work begins.
Common Lock Repairs
Most lock problems have a specific cause, and knowing what it is points directly to the fix. The most common repair calls we handle are:
- Stiff or sticky lock: Usually caused by worn internal components, debris in the cylinder, or dried lubrication. Often resolved by cleaning and re-lubricating the mechanism without removing the lock from the door.
- Strike plate misalignment: The door has shifted due to settling, seasonal wood movement, or hinge wear, so the latch no longer lines up with the strike plate opening. Fixed by adjusting the strike plate position or shimming the hinges.
- Loose or wobbly hardware: Screws work loose over time with regular use. In older doors, the screw holes themselves may be stripped, requiring longer fasteners or a wood reinforcement before re-securing the hardware.
- Broken key in the cylinder: A snapped key lodged in a lock needs to be extracted with the right tools. Attempting this without them usually pushes the key deeper or damages the cylinder, turning a simple repair into a replacement job.
If the problem isn’t one of these, we figure it out on-site. Some issues, like a cylinder that’s been forced or a lock that’s cracked internally, aren’t repairable and will require replacement.
Commercial Lock Installation and Repair
We install and repair a huge range of commercial-grade door locks, including (clockwise from top left): IC core deadbolts, keypad locks, and ADA lever locks.
Commercial doors take significantly more daily use than residential ones, and the hardware needs to match. A lock rated for a private residence won’t hold up on a business entrance that cycles through dozens of openings a day. We install all types of commercial locks, including grade 1 high-security deadbolts, IC core locks, keypad locks, and ADA-compliant door lever hardware for commercial applications, specifying hardware based on door weight, traffic level, and fire rating requirements, where applicable.
Commercial lock repairs follow the same diagnostic process but often involve more robust components and tighter tolerances. A mortise lock body that’s binding, a commercial deadbolt with a worn cylinder, or a lever set that’s loose on a heavy aluminum door all require the right tools and familiarity with commercial-grade hardware to fix correctly. Our broader commercial locksmith services cover the full scope of business security work beyond installation and repair.
Repair vs. Replacement
Repair is the right call when the lock body is structurally sound, and the problem is a specific mechanical issue: misalignment, a worn spring, or a sticky cylinder. Most residential locks in good condition can be serviced rather than replaced. Replacement makes more sense when the lock is old and repeatedly failing, when the internal components are too worn to hold adjustment, or when a security upgrade is the goal alongside fixing the immediate problem. In that case, putting in better hardware at the same time is worth the additional cost.
If your locks are functional but you need to change who has access rather than fix a mechanical problem, lock rekeying is usually faster and less expensive than replacement. We assess the situation upon arrival and walk you through the options before any work begins.
Hardware Fitted Right the First Time
Whether you need a new deadbolt on a front door or a commercial lock repaired before the business day starts, we arrive prepared to handle the job on-site. FXBG Keys LLC is fully licensed and insured, serving homeowners and businesses throughout Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper, and Thornburg. Have the door type and a description of what’s needed ready when you call. Contact FXBG Keys LLC, and we’ll confirm what the job involves before heading out.
Lock Installation & Repair FAQs
Do you provide both lock installation and lock repair? What other residential locksmith services do you offer?
Yes. We provide lock installation and repair for residential and commercial properties, including door lock service for exterior doors, interior doors, offices, and other entry points. Whether you need a new deadbolt, assistance with a lockout, help with a worn lock mechanism, or an affordable solution for a damaged lock, we can help.
How do I know if my door lock should be repaired or replaced?
If the lock still works but feels loose, sticks, or has trouble latching, lock repair may be enough. Problems like loose screws, minor wear, a misaligned strike plate, or a latch that does not line up with the door frame can often be fixed without replacing the full lockset. If the lock is badly worn, rusted, damaged by broken keys, or no longer secure, replacing the lock may be the better choice for safety and long-term security.
Can you install new locks on exterior and interior doors?
Yes. We install locks on exterior doors, interior doors, offices, and other residential or business entry points. Depending on the door, we may install a deadbolt, door handle lockset, mortise lock, or other hardware that fits the door, jamb, and door’s edge correctly. Proper installation matters because the small details, like bore size, faceplate fit, screws, and strike plate placement, affect how well the lock works over time.
What causes a door lock to stop working properly?
Frequent use, loose components, rust, wear, misalignment, and damage inside the lock mechanism are all common causes. In some cases, the issue is not the lock itself but the door frame, hinges, latch, spindle, or strike plate being out of position. We inspect the hardware carefully so we can fix the real problem and restore smooth operation instead of only treating the symptom.
Can you fix a lock that is loose or hard to turn?
Yes. A loose or hard-to-turn door lock often points to worn parts, loose screws, alignment issues, or internal lock mechanism problems. We can adjust, tighten, repair, or replace the affected components so the lock functions properly and the door stays secure. This type of repair can help customers avoid bigger problems later, especially on exterior doors that get frequent use.
Do you work on commercial and office door locks?
Yes. We provide commercial locksmith services for offices, business properties, and other commercial doors that need lock installation, repair, or hardware updates. If your office lock is sticking, the latch is not catching, or the lock no longer provides secure access, we can assess the condition of the door, frame, plate, and lock components and recommend the best fix.
Can you help after a break-in or forced entry?
Yes. If a lock, door handle, strike plate, or door frame has been damaged after forced entry, we can repair or replace the hardware and help restore security. In some cases, the job may involve replacing the lock, reinforcing the strike plate, adjusting the door jamb, or installing more secure hardware. We focus on helping customers regain safe access and improving home security after the damage is assessed.
Do you install deadbolts and other security upgrades?
Yes. We install deadbolt locks and other door hardware upgrades for residential and commercial properties. Adding the right lock to a front door, office, or entry door can improve security, control access, and help protect a new home or business. We can also explain which lock type is the best fit for the door, frame, and level of use.
What if my lock problem is causing a lockout?
If the lock will not open, the key will not turn, or broken keys are stuck inside, the issue can sometimes lead to an emergency lockout. We can diagnose whether the problem comes from the lock mechanism, latch, door alignment, or another hardware issue, then provide repair or replacement as needed. Our mobile locksmiths work to restore access while avoiding damaging the door whenever possible.