How we help
Manage everyday entry with a smart lock selected for your door and household. We handle the fit and setup, then walk you through codes, app access and backup entry.
Common situations
- Short-term guests needing temporary codes
- Kids coming home from school without a key
- Letting a dog walker in remotely
- Tired of hiding a spare key outside
What the service includes
- 01The door is checked: thickness, backset, the existing lock type (cylindrical deadbolt or mortise), and whether the door is steel, wood or fire-rated.
- 02A smart lock is chosen that fits the door and your phone ecosystem, or the lock you bought is confirmed to work.
- 03The lock is installed and the bolt and strike are aligned so the motor throws the bolt without strain, which protects battery life.
- 04The app, codes and auto-lock settings are set up with you, and the Wi-Fi bridge is connected if your model needs one.
- 05The lock is tested with the app, keypad, fingerprint and mechanical key, and you are shown how to change batteries and use the backup key.
Typical time: 45-90 minutes on site
Options
- Retrofit smart lock
- August-style units replace only the inside thumb-turn and keep your existing deadbolt and keys.
- Hidden smart bolt
- Level Bolt goes inside the door and keeps your existing exterior hardware.
- Keypad or fingerprint deadbolt
- Schlage Encode, Yale Assure or Lockly replace the whole deadbolt and add a keypad.
- Mortise smart lock
- Models made for mortise doors, common on Minneapolis steel apartment doors.
Smart lock or keyless entry system?
A smart lock is one lock on your own door that you control from your phone: app unlocking, voice assistants, auto-lock and alerts. A keyless entry system is about managing many people: codes, fobs or phone credentials for staff, tenants or contractors, often on several doors, with schedules and entry logs.
Managing access for a team, tenants or several doors? See Keyless Entry Systems.
Smart locks we install
Compatibility and limits
- Most consumer smart locks are made for a round deadbolt hole in a wood door, not a steel door with a mortise lock.
- New holes in a fire-rated door can affect its rating and may need building approval.
- Remote access and live alerts usually need a Wi-Fi bridge or a Wi-Fi model.
- Short-term rentals in Minneapolis are regulated; a smart lock does not make a rental legal.
Common questions
Can a smart lock I bought online be installed?
Usually, if it fits your door. Have it checked against the door's thickness, backset and lock type before anything is drilled or modified.
Do smart locks need Wi-Fi?
Not always. Many use Bluetooth and work without Wi-Fi, but remote access and live notifications usually need a Wi-Fi bridge or a built-in Wi-Fi model.
Will a smart lock work with Apple Home, Google or Alexa?
It depends on the model. Many newer locks support Matter, Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa. Check the box or the maker's site for your phone ecosystem.
Can I keep my existing keys with a smart lock?
With retrofit models like August and Level Bolt, yes. With full replacement smart deadbolts, you usually get new keys, which a locksmith can sometimes rekey to match your other locks.
How long do smart lock batteries last?
Typically several months to a year, depending on the model, how often the door is used, and the temperature. The app warns you before they run out.