If you need to replace or upgrade the locks in your home, or you get locked out of the house, a locksmith is often the best solution. In this guide, we look at the average locksmith prices in the UK and the common jobs you might need them for.
For the security of your home it’s important to hire a reputable and reliable locksmith. When hiring a locksmith, make sure they have the appropriate qualifications and accreditations, such as belonging to the MLA (Master Locksmiths Association).
Whether you’re moving into a new home, upgrading the security on your current home, or got locked out by accident, it’s good to know what it will cost you to get sorted.
Top tip: Be aware of professional-seeming associations that offer locksmiths membership and accreditation for a fee, rather than properly vetting them. Stick with MLA-approved locksmiths where possible.
| Job | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change standard uPVC lock | £100 | £150 | £125 |
| Change anti-snap uPVC lock | £125 | £175 | £150 |
| Change a yale lock | £80 | £120 | £100 |
| Garage door lock replacement | £75 | £85 | £80 |
| Patio door lock replacement | £85 | £95 | £90 |
| Replace nightlatch | £85 | £95 | £90 |
| Rim cylinder replacement | £65 | £75 | £70 |
| Replace mortice lock | £100 | £150 | £125 |
| Change all locks (2 exterior doors + windows) | £300 | £400 | £350 |
What are typical locksmith prices?
Locksmiths often charge an hourly rate for jobs, plus the cost of any locks and other materials they need to use. Some will charge a set charge for specific jobs. And if it’s out of hours or an emergency they’ll usually charge an additional callout fee.
There are a wide range of jobs that a locksmith can do, which means the prices they charge will vary considerably depending on the exact job. The price you’ll pay will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
Type and number of locks
- Time of callout
- Quality of locks used (meeting British standards for theft resistance)
- How long the job takes
- Whether a key is stuck in the cylinder
- Need for gaining access / boarding up damage
- Where you live
Whatever the job is, we recommend asking the locksmith for a breakdown of their quote before hiring them so that you know what you’re paying for. And it’s always a good idea to get a number of different quotes to check you’re getting a fair and competitive quote.
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Cost to change locks
The most common job that British homeowners need a locksmith for is to replace the locks, whether it’s one lock or all the locks. That could be because you’ve bought a new home, or perhaps your old locks are wearing out and you want to upgrade your property’s security.
If you’re changing all the locks it will cost around £350, based on the property having two external doors and multiple windows.
The average cost to change a Yale lock during normal business hours is around £100 per lock (materials and labour). Changing a standard uPVC door lock will cost about £125 per lock. If it’s an anti-snap uPVC lock, then the cost will be around £150 per lock for the supply and installation.
| Emergency job | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out of hours callout fee | £50 | £150 | £100 |
| Out of hours hourly rate | £80 | £200 | £140 |
| Emergency boarding up | - | - | £200 |
| Remove a broken key from lock without replacing cylinder (labour only) | £80 | £100 | £90 |
| Regain entry to a property | £90 | £130 | £110 |
Emergency locksmith prices
Emergency locksmith jobs will always cost more than non-urgent work carried out during normal business hours – and often prices will be significantly higher. Most locksmiths will charge an upfront emergency callout charge, which will be in the region of £50 to £150.
Locksmiths will also increase their hourly rate for any emergency or out-of-hours jobs. You can expect to pay up to double their usual charges, sometimes even more.
Out of hours locksmith prices
An average out of hours locksmith rate can cost anywhere from £80 to £200 per hour. This includes work done in the evening, at weekends and on bank holidays.
Emergency boarding up
If you’ve been locked out and had to force entry to your home, or if you’ve suffered a burglary with damage caused, you’ll need it boarding up. The average cost for emergency boarding up is around £200.
Removing a broken key
To remove a broken key from a lock without replacing the cylinder will cost, on average, around £90 (labour only).
Regain entry to a property
Being locked out is a real pain, but a locksmith can easily help you get back into your home. The average cost of regaining entry to your property is about £110 – based on opening one standard mortice lock and one standard rim lock.
Types of lock
The type of lock will be one of the main factors that influences the price you pay for your locksmith.
- Mortice locks are one of the most common types of locks in British homes and sit flush within the door structure.
- Nightlatches are often referred to as ‘secondary locks’ and come in standard and deadlock versions. Popular Yale locks are mainly nightlatches.
- Anti-snap uPVC locks prevent locks from snapping. They’re difficult to break in and are used predominantly on UPVC doors.
- Multi-point locking systems have a minimum of three locking points that lock simultaneously. As they’re most commonly used on uPVC doors they’re commonly known as uPVC locks.
Can I change my locks myself?
Technically you can change locks yourself, but we would recommend hiring a professional to keep your home secure. Replacing locks yourself can also invalidate some home insurance policies.
Incorrectly fitted locks can be a major security risk for your home. Unless you are knowledgeable on the subject of locks and British Standards, it’s best to hire a professional locksmith to do the job.
Useful locksmith checklist
- When hiring a locksmith, always ensure they are fully qualified and accredited with an association that vets all members (e.g MLA).
- Be aware that there is no official government licensing for locksmiths, so anyone can technically call themselves a locksmith.
- Speak to a number of local locksmiths to get fair and competitive prices.
- Ask for a breakdown of quote costs to understand what you’re paying for.
- Avoid hiring a locksmith out of hours where at all possible so you don’t have to pay the inflated emergency locksmith prices.
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