Most new doors come pre-drilled with holes for door hardware. If you need to drill holes in the doors, make sure to take special care to ensure that the holes you drill line up with each other and fit the locks you are installing. A new wooden door can cost in the neighborhood of $500, so a misplaced hole can prove costly.

Tools for the job:

Electric drill

Masking tape

Pencil

Utility knife

Chisel

Tape measure

1. Pick the best spot on your door for your door hardware. Make sure it's in a comfortable position for you and your family. A height of 38" from the floor for the handle is suggested. Make sure the height of the door latch matches the height of the mortise on the door frame.
   
   
2. Tape the manufacturer's template in position over the door and mark the center and screw holes. Repeat this on the other side.
   
   
3. Use a spade bit or hole saw on your electric drill. Keep the drill straight, otherwise the lock will not line up properly. To avoid splintering the wood, drill the hole face halfway through the door, then finish drilling from the other side.
   
   
4. Drill a hole into the edge of the door for the latch assembly, again making sure the hole is straight.
   
   
5. Use the latch plate as a template to cut the mortise in the door edge. Trace the template with a utility knife. Chisel the mortise starting at the middle down. Then chisel from the middle up. When you have reached the required depth, clean out the mortise so the strike box fits snugly.
   
   
6. Now it's time to install your door hardware.