How much does a smart lock cost installed in Virginia?
There is no single Virginia installed price. When we checked on October 27, 2026, Schlage listed its smart deadbolts from $199 to $399 before installation. Labor depends on whether the door already has standard deadbolt holes, how many locks you want and who does the work, so get written quotes that name the lock model, the labor and any trip charge.
Free to ask. Local shops send quotes, and you pay only when you book one.
By Kasra Taheri, Founder, LoclisPublished
Researched and drafted with AI, then checked claim by claim against the sources listed below before it was published. Prices and rules change; the dates beside each source say when it was last checked.
Step by step
Read when to stop and call a pro, further down this page, before you start.
Step 1: Choose the lock first
Decide on the lock type and model, because the lock itself is the most predictable part of the price.[1]
Step 2: Check the door
Note whether the door already has a standard deadbolt hole and whether it closes squarely, since a door that needs work costs more than a straight swap.
Step 3: Ask for three written quotes
Give each installer the same specification and ask for at least three written bids.[2]
Step 4: Compare like with like
Check that every quote names the lock model, who supplies it, the labor and any trip charge.
Step 5: Check who is doing the work
Ask whether the installer is registered as a locksmith in Virginia.[4]
Step 6: Check the licence if the total is large
If the work is valued at $1,000 or more, ask for the contractor's licence number and look it up.[2]
Step 7: Ask about ongoing fees
Ask whether the lock's app, remote access or code scheduling carries a monthly or yearly fee.
Step 8: Get the price in writing
Sign only a written proposal that lists the lock, the work, the price and the schedule.[2]
There is no single Virginia installed price for a smart lock, but the two parts of it are easy to separate: the lock, which you can look up, and the labor, which depends on your door. When we checked on October 27, 2026, Schlage's smart lock page listed its Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt from $199, Connect from $241, Encode Lever from $309, Encode from $299, Encode Plus from $329 and Sense Pro from $399.[1] Those are one maker's list prices for the lock alone, before any installer's labor, tax or trip charge.
What the lock costs
The range above shows where the money goes: more features, higher price. The $199 model is a keypad deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi, while the higher models add things like tap-to-unlock with a phone or watch and hands-free unlocking. Schlage describes its Connect model as one that adds smart lock access to a Z-Wave home automation or security system, so ask what else a model needs to work with your setup.[1] Prices change, so treat any number as a dated reference point and check the current one.
Schlage lists a limited 3-year warranty on the electronics and a limited lifetime warranty on the mechanical parts and finish.[1] Ask any installer about both warranties, and who handles a claim.

What drives the labor
For a standard door that already has a deadbolt, installation is a short job. Schlage says its smart deadbolts are battery-powered, require no hardwiring and can be installed with just a screwdriver.[1] So the labor part of a quote mostly reflects:
- The door. A door and frame that line up are a quick swap. One that sticks, sags or has no deadbolt hole needs carpentry before the lock goes on.
- The number of locks. Ask whether the quote is per lock or for the visit.
- Setup. Pairing, creating codes, connecting the lock to a hub or to your smart home system and showing you how it works takes time, and some installers charge for it separately.
- Trip charge and travel. Ask whether there is a charge for travel to your address.
- Who supplies the lock. Ask whether the lock is priced separately from the labor, and who stands behind the result if you supply the lock.
If you only want the lock mounted, the cost can be modest. If you want a whole smart home system connected, read how much smart home installation costs in Virginia.
Who can install one in Virginia
Virginia law lists installing locks or deadbolts, mechanical or electronic locking devices, as locksmith services,[3] and no person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business as a locksmith without a valid registration issued by the state.[4] When you ask for quotes, ask who will do the work and whether they are registered.
Separately, the Board for Contractors says: "If the work you are considering is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor's License is required" for the category of work.[2] A single smart lock is likely to be below that, but a whole-house job with several locks, a hub and electrical work may not be, so look up the licence in DPOR's lookup before you sign.
Getting quotes you can compare
The Board for Contractors says: "It is advisable to get at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors."[2] For a smart lock, ask each installer to quote the same list:
- the lock make and model, and who supplies it
- labor for removal of the old lock and installation
- any door or frame adjustment
- setup, codes and app help
- trip charge and any monthly app fee
- warranty on the work
Read how to install a smart lock to judge whether the job is simple enough that a quote is worth paying for.
Stop and call a pro if
- The door needs drilling, chiselling or re-hanging. That is carpentry first, lock second.
- A lock calls for new wiring or a wired power supply. Hire a licensed electrician.
- The quote is vague and does not name the lock model, the labor and the trip charge.
- The installer cannot tell you whether they are registered or, for a larger job, give a licence number.
- You are asked to pay a large deposit up front. The Board for Contractors advises limiting a deposit to 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less, with a higher limit for special orders.[2]
Getting help in Virginia
See more smart home answers, browse Security & Smart Home, and read are smart locks safe before you choose a model.
When you are ready, describe the job once and local pros quote it.
Common questions
- How much does the lock itself cost?
- When we checked on October 27, 2026, Schlage's smart lock page listed its smart deadbolts from $199 for the Arrive to $399 for the Sense Pro. Other brands price differently, and a lock sold at a discount may be an older model, so compare features as well as price.
- Is it cheaper to install a smart lock myself?
- It can be, because on a door that already has standard deadbolt holes the work is mostly a screwdriver job. Schlage says its smart deadbolts are battery-powered and require no hardwiring. If the door needs drilling or re-hanging, a pro may be the cheaper route.
- Does a smart lock installer need a licence in Virginia?
- There are two separate rules. Installing locks and electronic locking devices for the public is listed as locksmith services in Virginia law, and a locksmith employed by a licensed private security business needs a state registration. Separately, work valued at $1,000 or more needs a contractor licence.
- What else could add to the price?
- More than one lock, a door that needs adjusting, a hub for remote access if your lock needs one, a trip charge, and any subscription for the app. Ask each installer to list these separately.
- How many quotes should I get?
- Virginia's Board for Contractors advises at least three written bids using identical specifications, so you compare the same job.
Sources
- [1] Smart Locks, Smart Deadbolts & Smart Levers, Schlage, an Allegion brand. Checked October 27, 2026.
- [2] What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor, Virginia Board for Contractors, DPOR. Checked October 27, 2026.
- [3] Va. Code § 9.1-138, Definitions (private security services), Code of Virginia, Virginia General Assembly. Checked October 27, 2026.
- [4] Va. Code § 9.1-139, Licensing, certification, and registration required, Code of Virginia, Virginia General Assembly. Checked October 27, 2026.
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