How to Place a First Smart Lock Order Without Wasting a Quarter
The sequence that turns a first order into a repeat programme.
Read the article →Confirming Door Fit Before Production
Every fit failure has the same shape: the measurement was assumed rather than confirmed, and it was discovered when the goods were already made. The fix costs one photograph and one written confirmation.
Why a drawing is not enough on its own
A drawing shows what the door was designed to be. The door on site is what it actually is, and those differ more often than buyers expect - especially where the doors were prepped by a different contractor or the frames have moved.
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| Drawing says | The intended preparation |
|---|---|
| Photograph shows | The preparation that exists, including previous modifications |
| Sample proves | That the body, the strike and the clearances work together |
| Written confirmation does | Fixes what both sides agreed before production starts |
What to send us
- A photograph of the door edge with a ruler against it, showing the existing lock
- The mortise body code if there is one stamped on the body
- Door thickness in millimetres, measured not estimated
- The door schedule for a multi-unit project, one row per door type
- A note of which dimensions are fixed and which can move
Four values do most of the work: door thickness, body or bore type, backset and handing. If you have those four, the rest of the specification follows.
What a sample proves, and what it does not
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| It proves | The body fits that door, with that frame and that strike |
|---|---|
| It proves | Every entry method works on the installed door |
| It does not prove | That a different door type on the same project is the same |
| It does not prove | That a door prepped later will match the sample door |
For a multi-unit project, sample the door type with the least clearance rather than the first door available. If it fits there, it fits everywhere.
Where a sample is impractical
Some projects cannot wait for a sample: a fixed opening date, a very small quantity, or doors that are already closed up. There are other ways to confirm fit.
- Send a measured photograph and a body code, and have us confirm in writing
- Send the existing lock so we can measure the body directly
- Order the cut-out template alone and have the installer check the opening
- Ship the first unit ahead of the batch as a first article
What it costs to skip this step
Swipe the table sideways to see the full specification →
| A body that does not fit | The batch is unsellable without rework |
|---|---|
| Rework on site | Joinery work, plus the downtime |
| Air freight for a replacement | Several times the cost of the original sea freight |
| A missed opening date | Usually the largest cost of the three, and the least recoverable |
Putting it in writing
The confirmation belongs on the quotation, not in a chat thread. Four lines, naming the values and the door type they apply to, is enough to prevent every one of the failures above.
Where a project has several door types, confirm each one separately. A single confirmation covering a whole project is the most common way a fit failure reaches production.
Buyer Questions
Three questions this guide usually raises.
On this topic
Do I really need to send a sample?
Not always. A measured photograph plus the body code, confirmed in writing, is enough for a standard body. A sample is worth it where clearances are tight or the quantity is large.
What is the minimum information you need?
Door thickness, body or bore type, backset and handing, plus a photograph of the door edge with a ruler against it.
Can I confirm fit after placing the order?
Only before production starts. Once the batch is running the dimensions are fixed, which is why the confirmation belongs on the quotation.
Related Reading
How to Measure a Door for a Smart Lock: A Photo Guide
Five photos and three numbers are usually enough to confirm the fit.
Read the article →OEM Packaging for Smart Locks: From Artwork to Sealed Carton
The packaging is the part buyers underestimate, and the part that cannot be changed once it is printed.
Read the article →