Schlage Encode, Yale Assure 2, August Smart Lock, Kwikset Halo. We install, pair to Wi-Fi, set up the app, and test the unlock-from-outside scenario before leaving - because PSL concrete-block construction kills 2.4 GHz signal at the front door.
Smart lock install in PSL - Schlage Encode (Wi-Fi), Schlage Sense (Bluetooth/HomeKit), Yale Assure 2 (Wi-Fi or Z-Wave), August Smart Lock 4th Gen (retrofit), Kwikset Halo / Halo Touch.
Cost: $140-260 install per lock plus hardware ($180-280). Same-day in most cases.
Critical for PSL: we test Wi-Fi reliability from OUTSIDE the door before signing off. Concrete-block construction kills 2.4 GHz signal - half of smart-lock complaints we hear trace to weak signal at the door.
You bought the Schlage Encode at Home Depot, watched the YouTube install video, got the lock physically on the door, and now the app has been spinning on "connecting" for 40 minutes. Your router broadcasts a single 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz network name, your phone is on 5 GHz, and the lock can't see the 2.4 GHz radio it actually needs.
Or the deadbolt throws halfway and stalls because the door is misaligned, the strike plate needs to move 1/16", and the battery drain doubles every cycle. Or the Yale Assure is paired but won't show up in HomeKit because the bridge didn't auto-discover. Three different smart-lock problems, none of them in the install manual.
Doctor Lockout installs and pairs Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, August Home, Kwikset Halo, and Schlage Sense, including HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and Z-Wave hub setup. Install + pairing $140 to $260. Call (772) 284-5142.
We bring a 2.4 GHz hotspot if your network blocks the lock, align the strike before pairing, and test ten lock/unlock cycles before we leave.
iPhone household? HomeKit-native (Schlage Sense, Yale Assure with iM1 module). Pixel? Google Home. We pick the right lock the first time.
Most smart locks ship with their own key. We can rekey the smart lock to your existing house key so you only carry one physical backup.
Misaligned strike doubles motor current. We fix the alignment so 4 AAs last 9 to 12 months instead of 3. Saves you the "why is the battery dead again" call.
We follow Schlage and Yale published install procedures. Warranty stays intact. DIY install with the wrong screw length voids it.
Home Depot's install service is a third-party contractor pool with no smart-home training - they'll bolt the lock on and leave. DIY YouTube tutorials assume your door, your strike, and your Wi-Fi are all already perfect. We've installed hundreds of these in PSL and we know which combination of lock + router + phone causes which pairing failure.
Most smart locks need 2.4 GHz only. If your mesh router hides the band, pairing fails silently. We carry a workaround hotspot.
Smart locks expose every alignment problem the old deadbolt hid. We fix the door first, then install the lock. Battery life and reliability both jump.
Z-Wave needs a hub. HomeKit needs an Apple TV or HomePod. We confirm your setup before we sell you a lock that won't work in your house.
Lock drops off the network in week three? Same number. We troubleshoot remotely first, roll a truck if needed. Home Depot install does not.
Most of PSL's housing stock is concrete-block construction (CMU + stucco) - Florida hurricane code. This kills 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal at the front door by 60-80% compared to a wood-frame house. Three implications:
1. Wi-Fi-direct smart locks (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure 2 Wi-Fi) need the router within 25 ft. For garage-side or back-door installs in larger homes, signal often dies. We measure signal at the door BEFORE recommending hardware.
2. Bluetooth-bridge designs (August Smart Lock, Schlage Sense) work better in concrete homes. The lock talks to a bridge (August Connect) plugged in nearby; the bridge has Wi-Fi. Lower signal demand at the door.
3. Z-Wave / hub-based (Yale Assure 2 with SmartThings, etc.) is the most reliable through walls. Z-Wave operates at 908 MHz which penetrates concrete much better than 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The trade-off is needing a hub plugged in somewhere in the house.
If the front door is more than 25 ft from your router AND you have concrete-block construction (most PSL homes), we recommend the August Smart Lock or Yale Assure 2 with Z-Wave hub instead of Schlage Encode.
Schlage Encode - best if your router is close to the front door and you want a fully-featured smart lock with Wi-Fi out of the box. Apple Home / Google Home / Amazon compatible. Hardware $180-280.
Schlage Sense - Bluetooth + HomeKit. Works without Wi-Fi (Bluetooth pair with phone), then a hub for remote access. Best for HomeKit-heavy households. $200-280.
Yale Assure 2 - newer (2023) replacement for the older Assure. Two versions: Wi-Fi built-in or Z-Wave (hub-based). Z-Wave version is the best choice for concrete-block PSL homes. $200-300.
August Smart Lock 4th Gen - retrofit over existing deadbolt. Doesn't change the outside appearance of the door. Best for renters and homeowners who don't want to change the lock cylinder. $180-220.
Kwikset Halo / Halo Touch - Wi-Fi + fingerprint (Halo Touch). Reliable for the price; bottom-of-Wi-Fi-tier compared to Schlage/Yale. $180-260.
We carry all of these on the van. We don't install the cheap no-name Amazon smart locks - the cylinder hardware on those is unreliable and we've replaced too many under warranty for customers.
| Service | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smart lock install (existing bore) | $140 - $220 | Plus hardware. |
| Smart lock install (new bore drilled) | $180 - $300 | Plus hardware. |
| August Smart Lock retrofit (over existing deadbolt) | $95 - $145 | Plus August hardware ($180-220). |
| Schlage Encode hardware | $200 - $280 | MSRP, no markup. |
| Yale Assure 2 hardware | $220 - $300 | MSRP, no markup. |
| Wi-Fi extender / bridge install | $80 - $160 | When signal is weak at the door. |
| Smart lock troubleshoot + reset | $80 - $140 | Battery, pairing, factory reset. |
| Decision | Doctor Lockout install | Big-box delivery + DIY | Generic handyman install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi signal tested at door | Yes | No | Sometimes |
| Hardware recommendation matches construction | Yes (concrete-aware) | N/A - guess | Limited |
| App + Wi-Fi pair walkthrough | Yes - on your phone | Self-service | Sometimes |
| Outside-door unlock test | Yes - always | If you remember to | Sometimes |
| 1-year workmanship warranty | Yes | N/A | Varies |
Real person on the phone in under 2 rings. Locksmith on-site in 15-30 minutes. Honest price before any tools come out.
Call (772) 284-5142For most homeowners yes - especially if you're tired of hiding spare keys for the dog walker / cleaner / Airbnb guest. The technology has matured (2024+ models are reliable) - battery life is 6-12 months on AA, Wi-Fi pair is stable, app control is responsive. The PSL caveat: concrete-block construction kills 2.4 GHz signal at the front door if the router isn't close. We test before recommending hardware.
August Smart Lock 4th Gen with bridge, or Yale Assure 2 with Z-Wave hub, work most reliably through concrete walls. Schlage Encode and Yale Assure 2 Wi-Fi work if the router is within 25 ft of the front door. We measure signal at YOUR door before recommending.
Yes - we install customer-supplied smart locks at the same labor rate. Bring the box, all the screws, and the keys / backup. If the hardware turns out to be wrong-size for your door (most common: backset mismatch), we tell you on-site.
Yes - every smart lock we install has manual override. Schlage / Yale have physical keys as backup. August fits over your existing deadbolt and the deadbolt still works manually. Keypad codes work via local Bluetooth even with no Wi-Fi.
6-12 months on AA / AAA for most modern smart locks (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, August 4th Gen, Kwikset Halo). High-usage doors (Airbnb, rental, daily multi-user) closer to 4-6 months. The lock warns you 30+ days before full depletion in the app.
No - having a smart lock doesn't void any homeowners policy we've ever seen. Some carriers actually offer small discounts for monitored smart-home security. The deadbolt is still a deadbolt to the insurance company; the 'smart' part is just convenience features.
Smart lock installs are most common in newer construction (Tradition, Telaro, Veranda Bay, PGA Verano) where homeowners are upgrading from builder-grade hardware, plus the snowbird condo population that wants remote unlock for cleaners / family between snowbird seasons.
Last updated: 2026-05-18
