Ever snapped a key in a lock? Then you‘ll know how frustrating it is not to be able to get into your home. It could be worse; the lock has failed, and a key is of no use at all. Whatever the problem, you’ll need the expertise of a locksmith to sort the problem.
When calculating how much it costs to get your locks changed, there are several factors at play. Do you need a simple cylinder change? Has the multipoint lock on your front door failed and needs replacing? Is it an out-of-hours emergency? Or is it time to upgrade to a smart home security system? Here, the professionals reveal how much you can expect to pay for any scenario.
Andrew Dunn is a qualified master locksmith with extensive hands-on experience working on doors, windows, garages and entry systems. Alongside locks and keys, his work regularly involves maintaining and troubleshooting uPVC, aluminium, glass and fire doors, as well as addressing common wear-and-tear issues homeowners face.
Typical costs per hour
Costs will vary, but as a general guideline, Andrew Dunn, Master Locksmith at Lemon Locksmith, shares what a qualified locksmith typically charges per hour. “For a daytime, non-emergency visit, a typical charge is around £60 to £90 for the first hour, then £30 to £60 per additional half-hour, although many straightforward jobs are quoted as a fixed price.”
Article continues belowThis will go up outside normal working hours, continues Dunn, “Out of hours, the first hour is commonly £90 to £150. VAT may apply, so it is worth confirming whether quotes are inclusive.”
He adds, “Price is mainly driven by the time of day, how quickly attendance is needed, the type of door or locking system, whether non-destructive entry is possible, and the cost and availability of parts.”
Shop these locks to replace you old locks
A thumbturn lock barrel for doors. Available in Nickel and Brass finishes and various sizes ranging from 70mm to 100mm. Supplied with 5 high security flat dimple keys.
Suitable for a wide range of doors including wooden, composite and PVCu doors this double cylinder allows you to unlock with keys inside and out. Comes with 3 Yale patented keys.
If you want to upgrade to a smart home system try this smart lock. Has various way to unlock including fingerprint, passcode, RFID card, smartphone app and mechanical key.
Guide to common job costs
Here Andrew Dunn gives the lowdown on costs you can expect to pay for the more common lock change jobs.
- Front door unlock
A front door unlock where entry is gained without damage often costs around £70 to £120 in the day. If a cylinder or lock needs replacing, parts can add roughly £30 to £120, depending on security rating and size. - uPVC or composite doors
Multipoint problems can be more variable because the issue may be the gearbox or a full strip rather than the cylinder. Gearbox or strip parts often cost £60 to £130, labour £80 to £150, with totals frequently £150 to £300 or more if the mechanism is uncommon or additional alignment work is needed. - Window locks
For a double-glazed window, a minor repair, such as a handle or espagnolette adjustment, is often £60 to £100, while a failed gearbox can add £90 to £180 to the total. - Garage doors
For a garage door, gain entry is commonly £80 to £130, with a new T-handle or barrel typically £25 to £60 in parts, making a usual total of about £110 to £180.
Cost to replace a broken key
“A broken key extraction is often £60 to £90 in the daytime if it can be done non-destructively and the cylinder is not damaged,” shares Dunn.
“If the key has jammed the mechanism or the cylinder has been harmed during the break, the lock may need replacing, adding roughly £25 to £120 for a new cylinder depending on the required security rating and size.”
New lock costs
You can buy a new lock yourself, but it's often better to let the locksmith supply a lock as they will choose the right lock for front doors. Here, Dunn shares the typical costs for different types of locks. “For euro cylinders, very basic cylinders can be £20 to £35, but they are generally a false economy on external doors.”
He adds, “Higher-security cylinders that meet common UK expectations, such as TS 007 3-star or SS312 Diamond, are typically £60 to £120.”
Dunn continues, “A BS3621 mortice deadlock is often £45 to £90. A BS3621-rated nightlatch set commonly costs around £60 to £140. For uPVC multipoint systems, a full strip can be around £120 to £250 in parts, depending on brand and length. Window handles are often £10 to £30, and espagnolette gearboxes are commonly £25 to £60.”
Emergency callout charges
The cost of an emergency callout will depend on various factors, including timing, as Dunn notes: “Normal hours are often around 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, but they vary by firm and region.”
As a general guideline, he points out what you can expect to pay, “For an emergency locked-out job out of hours, a typical gain-entry charge is around £120 to £220. Late night, bank holidays, and peak periods can push that to roughly £150 to £300.”
For emergencies outside normal hours, Jordan Harrold, Director at H Harrold & Sons, says expect to pay more for hours outside normal working hours, “An out-of-hours locksmith, or 24-hour locksmith will likely cost approximately £106 an hour from 8 pm onwards.” Again, this will vary by company and region of the country.
Dunn adds some final advice to help establish the price and any extras: “Before confirming attendance, it is sensible to ask for the all-in price, whether VAT is included, what parts might add, and whether there is any cancellation fee if access is regained before arrival.”
Jordan Harrold is a Director at H Harrold & Sons, Sheffield’s longest-serving and only Master Locksmith Association (MLA) approved locksmiths - providing locksmith and safe engineer services to South Yorkshire and the surrounding areas since 1919.
FAQs
Can I change a lock myself?
Some locks can be fitted by a competent DIYer, explains Harrold, “Yes, in a lot of cases basic euro cylinder replacement on uPVC doors is relatively simple.” However, it can go wrong. “Incorrect sizing or fitting can compromise security, and you must ensure insurance requirements are met where necessary, so it is always recommended to use professionals.”
Dunn points out common mistakes: “The biggest DIY pitfall is mis-measuring, which can leave the cylinder protruding and more vulnerable, or result in a cylinder that does not sit correctly, affecting security and sometimes insurance expectations.” He adds, “Mortice locks, nightlatches, and multipoint mechanisms are usually better left to a professional.”
Do locksmiths fit locks bought by the customer?
A locksmith may fit a lock you supply, but it may affect your warranty. Dunn explains, “Many locksmiths will fit customer-supplied locks, but expect a labour-only charge that commonly mirrors an unlock or fitting visit, often £70 to £120 depending on complexity.”
He adds, “It is also normal for the locksmith to limit or exclude warranty on parts they did not supply.” It’s worth noting that a locksmith may not fit your lock. “Some will refuse items that are poor quality, incompatible with the door, or unlikely to meet expected security standards."
Does home insurance cover changing locks?
This will depend on the type of insurance policy you have. Dunn says, “Many policies will cover lock changes after theft of keys or a burglary, but lost keys are often only covered if an add-on has been selected.”Harrold adds, “You will usually be covered when locks have been damaged due to another insured event like a fire or vandalism.”
Dunn shares that you also need to consider the excess limit: “Typical claim limits can be around £500 to £1,000, and the policy excess usually applies, which can make small claims less worthwhile.”
What is rekeying, and is it cheaper than changing locks?
Harrold quickly explains what rekeying means: “Rekeying is the altering of the internal pins of a lock so that old keys no longer work and new keys do.” He adds, “This kind of work is common in commercial/master key systems, which are set up with the need to update keys and locks in mind.”
Dunn reveals how much you can expect to pay, “In UK homes, this often means swapping or re-pinning a cylinder or re-levering a mortice lock. It is typically cheaper than replacing a full mechanism, especially on multipoint doors.”
He adds, “A cylinder change or keyed-alike setup might commonly be £60 to £140 fitted, whereas replacing a full lock or multipoint strip can run £120 to £250 or more, depending on parts and labour.”
Keys and locks are all part of keeping your home and property safe, especially when you're on holiday. Check out our guide on home security when you’re on holiday to see what you should do. If you want to upgrade your home security, check our guides on the best home security systems and home security system costs.
