Peephole Installation Specialists

Peephole Installation Cost

Man installing peephole

Peephole Installation Cost Ranges (Most Common Scenarios)

Install Scenario Typical Cost Range What You’re Paying For
Replace existing peephole (same hole size) $75–$150 Remove old viewer, install new viewer, tighten + align
New peephole install (drill a new hole in door) $100–$250 Measure height, bore clean hole, install viewer, clean-up
Install wide-angle / higher-quality viewer $120–$300 Better hardware + careful fit for door thickness
Digital peephole / door viewer (screen model) $150–$300+ Larger cutout (sometimes), mounting, setup + testing
Smart peephole (camera + app/Wi-Fi models) $250–$500+ Device install + configuration; sometimes door mods
Hard door material (metal/security doors) $150–$350 Specialty bits, slower drilling, clean edges
Door thickness mismatch / hole resizing required $50–$200 Re-bore/step-bit work, correct-length viewer, fit/finish
Second peephole at a different height (accessibility) $75–$200 Additional drilling + full second install

Typical total: $100–$250 for a standard new install. Upgrades (digital/smart or hard doors): $250–$500+ is common.

Cost by Complexity (Fast Self-Assessment)

Minor

  • What it looks like: replacing an existing viewer, hole already fits
  • Expected cost: $75–$150
  • Common work: remove/replace + alignment

Moderate

  • What it looks like: new hole in a typical wood/fiberglass door
  • Expected cost: $100–$250
  • Common work: measure height + drill + install

Severe

  • What it looks like: metal/security door, resizing, or smart/digital unit
  • Expected cost: $250–$500+
  • Common work: door modification + device mounting + setup

Repair/Install Cost by Door Type

Door Type Typical Install Range Why It Costs More (or Less)
Hollow-core interior-style door $75–$200 Easy drilling, but careful placement to avoid blowout
Solid wood exterior door $100–$250 Clean bore needed; longer viewers for thicker doors
Fiberglass door $100–$300 Slower drilling + clean edges so hardware seats correctly
Steel/metal door $150–$350 Special bits + slower work; higher risk of rough edges
Security door / reinforced door $200–$500+ Thicker materials, reinforcement layers, sometimes nonstandard hardware

What Increases Peephole Installation Cost

  • New hole vs replacement: drilling is more labor than swapping a viewer
  • Door material: steel/security doors take longer and need specialty bits
  • Door thickness: wrong-length viewer or resizing adds time
  • Digital/smart models: mounting footprint + setup/testing
  • Multiple viewers: second height for kids/accessibility increases labor
  • Damage control: patching/touch-up if an old hole is ragged or oversized
  • Service call/trip fee: many locksmiths price a minimum visit charge

When a Simple Install Is Enough vs When Door Modification Is Required

Simple install is usually enough if:

  • The door already has a peephole and the new viewer matches the hole size
  • The door thickness matches the viewer’s supported range
  • You’re installing a standard optical viewer (not a bulky digital unit)

Door modification is usually required if:

  • No existing hole (new drilling needed)
  • The existing hole is the wrong diameter or is damaged/oversized
  • The door is metal/security grade (slower drilling + edge cleanup)
  • You’re installing a digital/smart viewer that needs a larger cutout or mounting plate

Rule: If the new viewer won’t sit flush on both sides, you’re in “modify/resize” territory (not a simple swap).

Common Upgrades (Often Bundled With Installation)

Upgrade Typical Added Cost Best Use
Wide-angle viewer upgrade $20–$100 Better field of view without going digital
Privacy shutter / cover $10–$60 Blocks light/visibility from inside; simple privacy upgrade
Digital viewer (screen model) $75–$250 No bending down; clearer view for many users
Smart peephole (camera + app) $150–$400 Recording/alerts (note: some models have subscriptions)
Second viewer at a lower height $75–$200 Kids/accessibility needs in multi-person homes

What a Peephole Installation Quote Should Include

  • Replacement vs new hole (and which side(s) get hardware)
  • Door material and thickness (viewer length compatibility)
  • Viewer type (standard / wide-angle / digital / smart)
  • Whether resizing is required (hole diameter mismatch or damage)
  • Any service-call/minimum fee and what it covers
  • For smart models: setup/testing scope (app pairing, Wi-Fi check)

Permissions / Coverage (Common Reality)

Peephole installation is usually considered a minor security upgrade, not an insurance claim. If you rent or have an HOA, confirm you’re allowed to drill the door before modifying it.

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