10 Low-Cost Ways to Make Your Home More Secure Today

TL;DR: Roughly 34% of burglars enter through the front door, and most of those get in by kicking or prying it open — not picking the lock. Spending $15 on a longer-screw strike plate, $30 on motion lighting, and $60-$100 on a smart lock closes the biggest gaps for under $150 total, no monitored alarm contract required.

_Last reviewed: August 2026 · 7 min read_

You don't need a $2,000 security system to make a house harder to break into. Most homes get targeted because of a handful of cheap, fixable weak points — a hollow-core door frame, a burned-out porch light, an unlocked side gate — and fixing those costs less than a nice dinner out.

Okoniq Property Hub helps owners log which security upgrades are done, which locks need rekeying between tenants, and when batteries in a smart lock or camera are due for a swap.

What are the cheapest fixes for doors and locks?

The door itself is the weakest point in most homes, and the fix is almost always the hardware, not the door. A standard strike plate has screws that are only 3/4 inch long, barely reaching the door jamb's trim board. Swapping in a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws that bite into the wall stud costs about $10-$15 and takes 20 minutes with a screwdriver.

Add a grade 1 or grade 2 deadbolt (look for the ANSI rating stamped on the box) for $20-$40, and you've closed the door on the most common forced-entry method. If you're renting the property out, rekey or replace locks between every tenant — a $25 rekey kit is cheaper than explaining a break-in to an insurance adjuster later. For a broader rundown of budget fixes at this price point, see 5 security upgrades under $100 that actually work.

Sliding glass doors need their own fix: a $5 dowel rod or security bar cut to fit the track stops the door from being forced open even if the latch fails.

How much does lighting and a camera actually deter break-ins?

Motion-sensor lighting is one of the highest-return security investments you can make, and it costs $25-$40 per fixture. Burglars avoid houses where they might suddenly be lit up and visible to neighbors — it's the single biggest deterrent cited in law enforcement surveys of convicted burglars, ahead of alarm signs or barking dogs.

Pair lighting with a $40-$60 battery-powered doorbell camera (no wiring required on most models) at the front entry. You don't need a full camera system; one camera pointed at the most-used entry point covers the majority of risk. Mount a second unit near the back or side door if that's less visible from the street — that's usually the entry point people forget.

Is a smart lock worth it for an owner-occupied home or a rental?

Yes, for both, and the price gap has closed. A basic keypad smart lock now runs $60-$100, compared to $200+ just a few years ago. For rentals, a keypad lock means you can change the entry code between tenants instead of rekeying hardware every turnover — a real time saver if you self-manage more than one unit.

| Feature | Traditional Deadbolt | Keypad Smart Lock | |---|---|---| | Upfront cost | $20-$40 | $60-$100 | | Rekey cost between tenants | $25 (locksmith or kit) | $0 (change code) | | Remote access / codes | No | Yes, on most models | | Battery maintenance | None | Check every 6-12 months |

If your home still has older two-prong outlets near entry points where you'd plug in a camera or light, it's worth checking whether the wiring supports grounded devices — see 2-prong vs 3-prong outlets: how to upgrade safely before you add electronics.

What free or near-free habits actually reduce risk?

Trimming shrubs below window height and keeping tree limbs away from second-floor windows costs nothing but an afternoon, and it removes the hiding spots and climb points burglars look for. Overgrown landscaping near entry doors is one of the most common things insurance inspectors flag.

Other zero-cost habits: stop announcing vacations on social media, use a timer (about $10) on interior lights when you travel, and always lock the side gate — an unlocked gate gives access to a back door that's invisible from the street. If you're screening tenants for a rental, note that people with a history of unstable housing sometimes leave doors unsecured out of habit rather than negligence; it's a small but real factor covered in 10 red flags on a rental application and what they mean.

How much should you actually budget for all of this?

A complete low-cost security pass — reinforced strikes on every exterior door, one smart lock, two motion lights, and a doorbell camera — lands between $150 and $250 total. That's less than most homeowners insurance deductibles, and several insurers offer a 2-5% premium discount for having a smart lock or monitored device on record, which can offset the cost within a year or two.

Skip the monitored alarm contract unless you want 24/7 dispatch; a $30/month contract adds up to $360/year, more than the entire DIY setup above, for a feature most homes don't strictly need if the physical hardware is solid.

FAQ

What is the single cheapest thing I can do to secure my home?

Replace the door strike plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the wall stud, for about $10. This one fix stops the most common forced-entry method: kicking in the door near the latch.

Do fake security cameras actually work as a deterrent?

They provide some deterrence but far less than a real one, and insurers won't credit them for any discount. A real $40-$60 battery camera costs little more and actually records evidence if something happens.

How often should I rekey locks on a rental property?

Rekey or replace locks after every tenant turnover, without exception, even if the previous tenant returned all keys. A $25 rekey kit is cheap insurance against a copied key you don't know about.

Are alarm yard signs worth buying without a monitored system?

They add mild deterrence on their own, but pairing a sign with actual motion lighting and a visible camera is far more effective than the sign by itself. Burglars in police surveys respond more to visible lighting and cameras than to signage alone.

Does homeowners insurance ever discount for these upgrades?

Many insurers offer 2-5% off for a monitored alarm, smart lock, or water/smoke sensors on file, though the amount and required documentation vary by carrier. Call your agent and ask specifically which devices qualify before you buy.

This is educational information, not security or insurance advice. Talk to a licensed locksmith for hardware-grade recommendations and your insurance agent about which upgrades qualify for a premium discount.