A smart lock purchase should begin with the door and the people who will use it. A product listing may describe a keypad, app or remote feature without answering whether that exact model fits the existing opening. This worksheet keeps the mechanical fit, account ownership and everyday access plan in one place before anyone orders hardware.
Start with the present door
Identify the door, its owner or manager, and who can authorize a change. Note the existing deadbolt, handle and any nearby trim. During normal use, observe whether the bolt extends and retracts smoothly when the door is closed. A bolt that needs the door pushed or lifted points to a separate condition to assess; new electronics do not correct it by themselves.
Take permitted photographs of the whole door, the inside and outside hardware, the edge and the strike. Avoid photographing a usable key cut or a code. Photos can start a discussion, but measurements and any special opening requirements must be checked against the actual installation.
Compare exact models, not product families
Write down the manufacturer and full model or version for each candidate. Use that model’s official installation instructions to review door thickness, backset, existing preparation, clearance and whether the device replaces or retains any current hardware. Mark each item confirmed, unknown or unsuitable. Similar appearance or screw spacing in a photograph is not a compatibility finding.
If the door needs supporting work, record it separately and identify the responsible installer or trade. For an installation-specific discussion, see smart lock installation. If a lock is already installed and is behaving unreliably, the digital lock servicing page addresses that different problem.
Decide what users actually need
List the intended users and the way each should enter: physical key, keypad, phone or another supported method. Ask whether the exact candidate provides those functions and whether it needs a separate hub, subscription or network connection. Do not infer remote administration from the word “smart.” A household member who does not use the chosen app still needs a workable routine.
Name the person who will own the account and administer users. If the property changes hands, how will that person transfer control and remove old access? An account transfer is distinct from changing the physical lock. Record the manufacturer’s supported power, alerts and backup access instructions, and keep them with the property record. Avoid borrowing reset or external-power instructions from a different product.
Take a short candidate record to the installer
Use one entry for each model:
Door and authorized decision-maker:
Current hardware and observed door operation:
Exact candidate model and official instructions:
Preparation, thickness, clearance and other fit items:
Required entry methods and confirmed product functions:
Account owner, user administration and backup access:
Unknown items and supporting work:
Do not turn an unknown into “fits” because another home uses the same brand. Ask the installer to review the actual door and proposed model before purchase or approval. At handover, test the agreed functions with the authorized users and keep the model information for later service. The contact page is the place to describe the door and candidate; keep passwords and access codes out of the message.