A Home Security Audit Checklist for Raleigh Homeowners

The front door is the first thing we examine, and the mortise lock is often the centerpiece of that inspection. A mortise lock is installed directly into a pocket cut into the door's edge, making it significantly more resistant to kick-in attacks than a standard cylindrical lock. Many Raleigh homes — especially older craftsman bungalows and mid-century builds — already have mortise lock hardware in place, but the condition of that hardware matters just as much as the type. We check for worn cylinders, loose set screws, and signs of weathering that can compromise the lock's performance over time. If a mortise lock is functioning well, it can serve a home for decades; if the internal mechanism is degraded, it creates a false sense of security.

Beyond the lock itself, we assess the door frame and strike plate. A single-screw strike plate anchored into soft door casing — which is surprisingly common — can be defeated in seconds. We look for three-inch screws that reach the structural stud behind the frame, reinforced strike plate hardware, and door frames that show no signs of splitting or rot. If the door itself is hollow-core (common on interior doors that sometimes get repurposed as exterior entry doors in older homes), that gets flagged immediately. A solid wood or steel door paired with a quality mortise lock and a properly anchored strike plate is the combination we want to see on every primary entry point.

After the front door, we move systematically through every other entry point — side doors, back doors, garage access doors, and any door knob lock that serves as a home's only line of defense on a secondary entrance. A door knob lock alone is never sufficient on an exterior door. The locking mechanism sits within the knob itself, which can be sheared or bypassed far more easily than a deadbolt. We commonly find Raleigh homes where a back door or mudroom entrance has only a keyed door knob lock and no secondary deadbolt — that's a straightforward fix that makes a real difference.

Sliding glass doors get their own dedicated check. Many standard sliding doors can be lifted off their tracks or forced open if the locking bar or security pins are missing. We test lateral movement, inspect the door frame channel for wear, and verify whether a secondary bar or pin lock is in place. Patio doors in neighborhoods like Brier Creek and Stonehenge often get overlooked because homeowners assume the lock that came with the door is adequate — it rarely is without some reinforcement. We also examine any door that connects the garage to the interior of the home, since that door is frequently the least secured and most overlooked entry point in a residential property.

Windows represent one of the most commonly skipped parts of a DIY security check, but they're a regular focus in our professional audits. Ground-floor and basement windows with worn sash locks, painted-shut frames that have been forced open, or single-pane glass with no secondary security film are all flagged during an assessment. We also look at whether any window is positioned near a tree, fence, or structure that provides easy reach to a second-floor entry point — physical access matters as much as the lock hardware itself.

Basement access points deserve special attention. Bilco-style basement doors, window wells, and storm cellar entrances are often equipped with old padlocks or simple slide bolts that have seen years of weather exposure. A padlock is only as strong as its shackle gauge and the hasp it's attached to — we check both. For any home with an attached or detached garage, we inspect the overhead door's emergency release cord (which can be manipulated from outside with a simple wire if the opening is large enough), as well as the manual lock on the track if one exists. These are the details that tend to surprise homeowners the most — and they're exactly why a trained second set of eyes on your property is worth scheduling.

One of the most common questions we hear is how much does a locksmith cost in NC, and the honest answer is that it depends on several specific factors. For a security audit, the scope of the property, the number of entry points, and whether any hardware upgrades are recommended all play into the final quote. For lock replacements or upgrades — whether that's a new mortise lock installation, a deadbolt upgrade, or a full re-key of a home — the type of lock, the brand and grade of hardware selected, the time of the service call, and our travel distance to your location all factor into the price. We always confirm an exact up-front quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises on the back end.

On the question of where can I find affordable locksmiths in Raleigh NC — we'd reframe that slightly. The right question is where can I find a locksmith in Raleigh NC whose pricing is transparent and whose work is done correctly the first time. A lock installed incorrectly or an audit that misses key vulnerabilities isn't a value — it's a liability. Our team provides a clear, itemized explanation of what we found, what we recommend, and what each service will cost before we touch anything. If you're a homeowner who recently moved and wants a full assessment of your new property, or if you're preparing to list a home and want every entry point in top condition, reach out to us directly at (704) 850-6756 and we'll walk through the process with you.

A security audit is a planned, proactive service — but sometimes the call we get is urgent. As a 24/7 emergency locksmith serving the Raleigh area, we respond to residential lockouts, broken key extractions, lock malfunctions after a storm, and situations where a door knob lock or mortise lock mechanism has failed unexpectedly. What are the four main types of emergencies we handle? Residential lockouts, commercial lockouts, lock failures caused by damage or wear, and urgent re-key requests following a break-in or lost key situation. Each one requires a different approach, and our team is equipped for all of them around the clock.

If you ever find yourself locked out of your home, the safest first steps are to check for a spare key with a trusted neighbor, verify whether another entry point is accessible and secure, and confirm your identification is available before a locksmith arrives — any reputable professional will verify ownership before working on a property. We never recommend attempting to force entry on your own, as this can damage the door frame, the lock hardware, or create a safety hazard. Calling a trained emergency locksmith is always the right call. Whether it's 2 PM or 2 AM, our team answers at (704) 850-6756 and we'll give you an honest estimate and an accurate arrival window before we dispatch.

Pro Raleigh Locksmiths is a fully mobile, 24/7 operation covering Raleigh and the surrounding communities — from downtown near Fayetteville Street to the suburbs along Durant Road and beyond. Our residential services include: mortise lock installation and repair, deadbolt installation, door knob lock replacement, re-key services after a move or lost key, master key system setup, high-security lock upgrades (including Schlage and Kwikset Grade 1 hardware), smart lock installation and programming, sliding door lock reinforcement, window lock installation, padlock replacement, mailbox lock service, garage door lock assessment, door frame reinforcement, strike plate upgrades, and full home security audits. On the commercial locksmith side, we service office buildings, retail spaces, and multi-unit residential properties with: commercial mortise lock installation, commercial re-key and master key systems, access control system consultation, panic bar and exit device service, storefront glass door lock repair, high-security cylinder upgrades, file cabinet and desk lock service, safe installation and combination changes, and after-hours emergency commercial lockout response. We also handle: broken key extraction from any lock type, key duplication for residential and commercial hardware, lock lubrication and maintenance service, peephole installation, and door closer adjustment for proper latch engagement. Every service begins with a transparent quote — no work starts until you've approved the price.

The best time to assess your home's security is before anything goes wrong. If you've recently purchased a home in Raleigh — especially in older neighborhoods like Oakwood, Boylan Heights, or Cameron Park, where original hardware from the 1950s and 60s is still common — a professional security audit is one of the most practical steps you can take before settling in. Previous owners, contractors, real estate agents, and even prior tenants may have copies of keys you don't know about. A full re-key or lock replacement eliminates that uncertainty entirely.

Combining a security audit with a mortise lock upgrade or deadbolt installation means your home starts its next chapter with hardware that's properly fitted, properly functioning, and matched to the specific construction of your doors. Our team can walk through the property with you, explain every finding in plain language, and handle any upgrades on the same visit if the hardware is available. Whether it's a quick door knob lock swap on a side entrance or a complete overhaul of every entry point in a large home, we work methodically and cleanly. Call (704) 850-6756 — we're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we're always happy to talk through what a security audit for your specific property would involve.