Need an emergency locksmith near you? Whether you’re locked out of your house, lost your keys, or one has snapped off in the lock, knowing how to source and hire a reputable 24-7 locksmith near you is imperative.
Thankfully, we’ve got your back. This comprehensive guide will help you find emergency locksmith services in no time. We’ll also look at what jobs they can help with, ways to make the process as seamless as possible, and what to expect in terms of costs and time.
How do I find the best emergency locksmith near me?
Our marketplace helps with finding emergency locksmith services in your area. At Checkatrade, only tradespeople who pass our checks and meet our high standards show up in any search.
Enter your postcode below, hit search, and let our tool populate your local emergency locksmith services.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
What is an emergency locksmith service?
Emergency locksmiths are there for you around the clock. They usually offer a 24-7 service for those who’ve accidentally locked themselves out of their house or car, misplaced their keys, broken one in the lock, or need an urgent lock replacement.
Why do you need an emergency locksmith service?
Common jobs emergency locksmiths can help with include:
- Getting you back into your property if you’re locked out
- Helping you with burglary lock repairs
- Replacing your house keys or car keys
- Unlocking faulty and damaged locks
- Fixing door lock issues, such as stuck/broken keys
- Repairing your locks or keys
- Upgrading your locks
How much should an emergency locksmith cost?
There is no standardised rate for an emergency locksmith.
The final price will depend on your location (e.g., London prices are often higher), the complexity of the job, and whether it’s a repair or replacement (repairs take longer).
Related content: Read our guide on locksmith prices for 2024 for more information.
When should you call an emergency locksmith?
Several clues make it clear you need to call a local locksmith. For example, if you’ve been burgled, the lock and door will likely be damaged.
However, less obvious signs include being unable to turn your key in the lock. It might also be sticking, broken, or turning without opening your door.
An emergency locksmith will help you get into your home or car again. They’ll diagnose the issue when they reach you and make a call about what you need at that moment.
How long does an emergency locksmith take?
Most locksmiths aim to reach you within 30 minutes. Once they’ve assessed the situation, getting you back inside your house is relatively quick.
However, if there’s damage that needs repairing, such as broken keys or lock mechanism issues, the time it takes to fix these will be longer.
Expect simple jobs to take no more than fifteen minutes. However, give your locksmith an hour or so for jobs that require more skill and effort to fix.
What questions should I ask the emergency locksmith near me?
Are you fully insured or part of an association?
When choosing a reputable emergency locksmith service near you, ask them if they have public liability insurance (at the very least) or whether they’re a member of an organisation such as the MLA (Master Locksmiths Association).
Their credentials and coverage prove they’re serious about their work, which should offer you some reassurance about their experience in the industry.
Do you need to see proof of ownership before you unlock the door?
Any reputable locksmith must ask for proof you own the property before they open the door for you. This should come in the form of a valid ID. However, if all your documents are inside, ask a neighbour to vouch for you.
Is your work guaranteed?
Make sure you ask your emergency locksmith about how they minimise damage. They shouldn’t need to break your lock unless it’s faulty or a key has snapped off in it.
Furthermore, if your door is electronic or installed with a smart lock, your locksmith should understand the mechanics of these devices before attempting to replace, repair, or open them.
Thankfully, Checkatrade offers a free guarantee of up to £1k if you claim within the first 12 months because of sub-standard work.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
If you choose a 24-hour locksmith near you, they’ll likely charge a call-out fee between £50 and £150 – especially if it’s out of hours.
Therefore, knowing what it costs on top of the standard rate lets you work out if you’re able to afford the total cost before you go ahead with the hire. It also avoids any confusion when it comes to payment.
Are there any other costs I should be aware of?
Make sure you understand how much emergency locksmith services near you cost. Asking if there are any other costs you need to be aware of means you and your locksmith are fully aware of the expectations around the work required and the payment for each service.
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
The importance of reviews
Checking a tradesperson’s online reviews is now one of the most popular and effective ways to find reputable emergency locksmiths.
Our member pages include each tradesperson’s:
- Company details
- Qualifications and credentials
- Areas of speciality
- Customer testimonials
- Photos of their past work
Past work is an indication of future performance. So, doing a quick online search lets you check their expertise, reputation, and previous standard of work.
NB: We only display honest and verified reviews from real-life customers. Checks are carried out to make sure all Checkatrade reviews are fully verified and up-to-date.
For more hiring advice, check out our free guide to ‘Hire right, hire once‘, covering all the steps to find and hire the right tradesperson for your job.