Home Improvement

How Much Does a Locksmith Cost In the UK?

Getting locked out of the house and being left outside in the cold is not a very pleasant experience. Having your locks broken and your house burgled is even worse. Not only do you have to spend money to fix the problem, but you now feel unsafe in your own home! You’d probably love to have a Bat-Signal that calls someone to come and rescue you in this situation.

Luckily, you can always rely on a locksmith to save the day! However, unlike your favourite superheroes, they don’t work for free. And having the job done only to be slapped with a charge you weren’t expecting can surely spoil your day. That’s why knowing the price of the locksmith service you need is a great way to avoid disappointment.

If you:

  • Want to know the cost of different locksmith services;
  • Are wondering how the prices are formed;
  • Need an emergency locksmith and are looking for the cost,

Then look no further – you’ve come to the right place!

Why do locksmiths charge so much?

There are tonnes of door lock problems you can encounter, so wanting to know how much they will cost you to fix is only natural. However, the cost of a locksmith can vary greatly, depending on a variety of factors. It is precisely thanks to them that the price of the service may go higher than expected.

In fact, a locksmith will charge different amounts for a lock change and for door installation, and that’s only one aspect of it. Let’s look at some of the factors that can affect locksmith prices:

  • The specific service you need;
  • The time of the appointment;
  • Your location;
  • What type of lock the technician is working on;
  • Whether the specialist is supplying a new item, such as key/lock for you;
  • Whether you need emergency locksmith services.

You might have noticed that the time it takes to perform the service is not a contributing factor. That’s because what you’re actually paying for is years of training, specialised tools, and the expertise of the locksmith. More often than not, how long a job takes ultimately has nothing to do with the price.

Locksmith price list

As you can see, there are multiple factors that play a role in shaping the final locksmith service cost. So, stating a precise single amount when talking about locksmith charges, won’t be very accurate.

Instead, we prefer to give you a list of actual starting prices, calculated based on two of the most important factors: type of service and appointment time. Hopefully, this will help you better understand what should you pay and why.

So, take a look at our main locksmith service prices below:

Locksmith ServiceMonday – Sunday
24/7 availabilit
Change an existing lockfrom £79
Fixing/repairing a lockfrom £79
Install a new lock into a blank doorfrom £119
Lockout service/Gain entry into a lockfrom £79
Safe opening/Gaining entry to a small safeGet a free no-obligation quote
Broken key in a lockfrom £79
Eviction locksmith/House repossessionfrom £79
Lock box installation (lock box included)from £139
Lock box installation (labour only)from £79
Supply + fit new door/Adjust door frameGet a free no obligation quote

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Now that we’ve covered each locksmith service’s starting price, let’s go into a little more detail.

How much does it cost to change locks?

Naturally, the cost of changing an existing lock and installing a fresh one into a blank door will differ. And that’s not all! The type of door lock being used affects the final price, too.

Let’s say you’ve booked a lock change during the day. While the starting price of the service is £65, the type of lock can alter this number.

For example, changing a mortice lock or an anti-snap euro-cylinder one still starts at £65, but a multi-point lock replacement on a uPVC door can cost close to £107 or more. The reason for this hides in the complexity of the mechanism which, as the name suggests, has multiple locking points. Smart locks, on the other hand, can be even more expensive to replace, with £180 being the base price.

If you’re a landlord, you might be wondering Should I change the locks after each tenancy? While there’s no law stating that you must, it’s an important security measure and your tenants will greatly appreciate it. No one wants to feel unsafe in their home, be it permanent or temporary.

If you only need a lock repair, then the prices are more straightforward. £77 is the starting price for all kinds of locks.

Installing a new lock, however, is a different matter. If the door has a specific place for the mechanism, it will depend on the lock being installed. Most types start at £77, with smart locks going for £180 or above. But if the door is blank, the technician will need to carve out space for the lock. In this case, locksmith prices can start from £105.

How much does a new lock cost?

Whether you need an existing lock changed or a fresh one installed, you have a choice – buy your own or have the locksmith supply it for you.

If you opt for the latter, you can rest assured that your new lock will meet security standards and that the specialist will offer you a secure lock, such as an anti-snap cylinder one that is resistant to lock snapping.

As you might expect, different locks have different prices. For example, supplying an anti-snap euro-cylinder lock can start from £60, while a mortice lock has a base price of £65. The more secure multi-point locking systems, commonly found on uPVC doors, are pricier, starting at £159. And if you want to go all out, you can expect to pay £350 or more for a smart lock.

How much for a locksmith to unlock a door?

What if you find yourself locked out of the house? The key is left in the door, and you’re left wondering if you have the strength to climb up to the second-floor window you left open. If this happens, a locksmith can be your saving grace.

If you’ve locked yourself out and you need a specialist to gain entry into a lock, you can expect a starting price of £77 for most locks. Opening a multi-point lock is more costly, however, starting at £144. You can probably guess why – getting into this type of lock without a key requires a lot more effort and skill.

What about if your key is stuck, or even worse, broken inside the lock? In this situation, the cost to rekey locks starts at £77.

How much does an emergency locksmith cost?

If you find yourself in need of an emergency locksmith service, the price will still depend on what you need the technician to do. You can use the costs listed above as a rough guide, but you can expect a higher price if you need the locksmith to arrive ASAP. Unfortunately, we can’t name a specific charge, as there are too many moving parts when it comes to emergency services.

Landlords – we hear you asking “Who pays for locksmith services – me or my tenants?” Well, it largely depends on the situation.

If the lock turns out to be faulty or if you’ve been putting off replacing it for years, then you’re likely to be the one paying for it. But if the issue occurs due to improper use – if your tenants have all but ripped the lock out of the door or the door off the hinges – then the tenant will have to cover the fees.

All in all, check what the tenancy agreement says about the issue if you want to be 100% certain.

Need a locksmith to help you out?

Having an expert at your disposal can help get you out of lots of sticky situations. So, whether you’ve locked yourself out or your home was broken into, and you need a professional locksmith to repair or change the lock, Fantastic Services is here for you!

With years of experience under their belts and a wide range of locks that meet all security standards, the specialists we work with will make sure your home is safer than ever. So, for your peace of mind, contact us today!

Need an expert locksmith?

Find a professional to increase your home’s security!

Add a valid postcode e.g. SE1 2TH

Takeaways

  • Locksmith prices depend on several factors, such as the specific service, your location, and the time of the appointment.
  • How much a lock change, repair, or installation costs depends mainly on the type of lock.
  • If you need a lock replaced or a new one installed, you can buy one yourself or have the locksmith supply it for you.
  • Emergency locksmith prices are higher, as the experts will do everything they can to arrive in 30 minutes or less.

***

Do you have any other questions about locksmith prices or the service in general? Don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments below!

Image source: Shutterstock / FREEPIK2

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