Price Guide

How Much Does a Locksmith Really Cost?

Compare prices for 14 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

14 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Locksmith Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Emergency Lockout (Daytime)

Low

£60

Average

£100

High

£150

15-45 minutes

More details

Getting you back into your home after being locked out during standard working hours (8am-6pm weekdays). Non-destructive entry where possible, with lock replacement if drilling is needed.

~85% labour, ~15% materials

What affects the price

  • Lock type (Yale, mortice, UPVC multipoint)
  • Whether the lock can be picked or needs drilling
  • Your location and travel distance
  • Whether a replacement lock is needed

Emergency Lockout (Night or Weekend)

Low

£100

Average

£150

High

£250

15-45 minutes

More details

Emergency lockout service outside normal hours — evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Same job as daytime but with a premium for unsocial hours callout.

~90% labour, ~10% materials

What affects the price

  • Time of day (evening vs middle of night)
  • Day of week (Saturday vs bank holiday)
  • Lock type and entry method needed
  • Distance and travel time for the locksmith

Change Front Door Lock

Low

£80

Average

£130

High

£200

20-40 minutes

More details

Replacing the lock cylinder or full lock mechanism on your front door. Includes a new British Standard lock and keys. Common after moving house or losing keys.

~63% labour, ~37% materials

What affects the price

  • Lock type (euro cylinder, mortice deadlock, Yale)
  • Lock brand and security rating (1-star, 3-star, Sold Secure)
  • Door type (timber, UPVC, composite)
  • Whether the lock body or just the cylinder needs replacing

Change All Locks (3-Bed House)

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£550

1.5-3 hours

More details

Replacing all external door locks on a typical 3-bedroom house. Usually includes the front door, back door and any side or garage entry doors. Recommended when moving into a new property.

~63% labour, ~37% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of external doors
  • Lock types on each door
  • Security grade of replacement locks
  • Whether locks are keyed alike

Fit a Deadlock

Low

£80

Average

£130

High

£200

30-60 minutes

More details

Installing a high-security deadlock into a door. The locksmith cuts a slot into the edge of the door to fit the lock mechanism inside. This type of lock is often required by home insurance policies.

~65% labour, ~35% materials

What affects the price

  • Door material and thickness
  • Lock brand and security standard
  • Whether the door frame needs a new striking plate
  • Access difficulty

Install Multipoint Lock

Low

£120

Average

£200

High

£350

30-90 minutes

More details

Replacing the full locking mechanism on a UPVC or composite door. This is the long strip inside the door that locks it at several points along its height when you lift the handle. Common when the door will not lock properly.

~38% labour, ~62% materials

What affects the price

  • Door type and manufacturer
  • Lock mechanism brand and type
  • Whether the handle and cylinder also need replacing
  • Availability of the correct replacement part

Window Lock Installation

Low

£30

Average

£50

High

£80

15-30 minutes

More details

Fitting a key-operated lock to a window for security. Price is per window. Often required by insurance companies on ground floor and accessible windows.

~66% labour, ~34% materials

What affects the price

  • Window type (sash, casement, UPVC, timber)
  • Lock type (sash lock, cockspur, restrictor)
  • Number of windows to be fitted
  • Whether drilling into the frame is needed

Safe Installation

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£300

1-2 hours

More details

Securing and installing a home safe, either wall-mounted or floor-fixed. Price is for fitting only — safe not included. Includes drilling into concrete or masonry and bolting down.

~80% labour, ~20% materials

What affects the price

  • Safe size and weight
  • Mounting location (wall, floor, cupboard)
  • Wall or floor material (concrete, brick, timber)
  • Access and positioning difficulty

Lock Repair

Low

£60

Average

£100

High

£160

20-45 minutes

More details

Repairing a faulty, stiff or jammed lock without replacing the entire mechanism. Includes lubricating, realigning or replacing worn internal components.

~77% labour, ~23% materials

What affects the price

  • Lock type and fault
  • Whether replacement parts are needed
  • Accessibility of the lock
  • Whether the issue is the lock or the door alignment

Master Key System

Low

£200

Average

£400

High

£700

2-4 hours

More details

Setting up a master key system where individual locks have their own key but one master key opens all locks. Common for landlords, offices and HMOs. Price for 4-6 locks.

~59% labour, ~41% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of locks in the system
  • Lock brand and type (euro, mortice)
  • Whether existing locks can be re-pinned or need replacing
  • Number of master and sub-master keys needed

Smart Lock Installation

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£400

1-2 hours

More details

Fitting a smart lock or keyless entry system to your door. Includes removing the existing lock, fitting the smart lock, programming and connecting to your phone. Lock not included in labour price.

~34% labour, ~66% materials

What affects the price

  • Smart lock brand (Yale Conexis, Nuki, Ultion Nuki)
  • Door type and compatibility
  • Whether door modifications are needed
  • Integration with existing smart home system

Garage Door Lock

Low

£60

Average

£100

High

£175

30-60 minutes

More details

Replacing or fitting a lock on a garage door. Includes up-and-over handles with locks, side deadbolts or padlock hasps depending on the door type.

~62% labour, ~38% materials

What affects the price

  • Garage door type (up-and-over, roller, side-hinged)
  • Lock mechanism type
  • Whether additional security bolts are fitted
  • Door material and condition

UPVC Door Mechanism Replacement

Low

£100

Average

£175

High

£300

30-60 minutes

More details

Replacing the internal locking mechanism on a UPVC door that is sticking, not locking properly, or has a broken handle. A very common problem on older UPVC doors where the mechanism wears out over time.

~46% labour, ~54% materials

What affects the price

  • Door brand and mechanism type
  • Whether the full strip or just the gearbox is faulty
  • Availability of the replacement part
  • Whether handles and cylinder also need replacing

Letterbox and Door Furniture

Low

£40

Average

£75

High

£130

20-40 minutes

More details

Fitting a new letterbox, door knocker, house number or other door furniture. Includes drilling and cutting where needed. Price per item fitted.

~49% labour, ~51% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of door furniture being fitted
  • Door material (timber, UPVC, composite)
  • Whether a new hole needs cutting
  • Finish and quality of the hardware

Popular locations

Locksmith Costs by City

London

£75–£185

Birmingham

£55–£140

Leeds

£60–£145

Glasgow

£65–£155

Sheffield

£60–£150

Manchester

£60–£145

Bradford

£55–£130

Edinburgh

£70–£170

Liverpool

£60–£150

Bristol

£65–£160

Coventry

£55–£145

Leicester

£50–£130

Local pricing

Find Locksmith Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local locksmith pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Emergency Lockout (Daytime) by City

Average cost of emergency lockout (daytime) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £125
Manchester
-2% £100
Birmingham
-7% £95
Glasgow
+5% £105
Bristol
+7% £110
Leeds
-3% £95
Cardiff
-2% £100
Belfast
-13% £85

Overview

What Does a Locksmith Do?

A locksmith provides professional services covering lock changes, emergency lockouts, security upgrades and door hardware. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified locksmith ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a locksmith whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of locksmith work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for locksmith services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a locksmith, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable locksmith will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a locksmith.

Alarm Installation UK price guide £300–£800 CCTV Installation UK price guide £350–£700 Carpentry UK price guide £70–£200 Handyman UK price guide £40–£120 Window Fitting UK price guide £400–£750 Removals UK price guide £250–£600 Car Body Repair UK price guide £100–£350 Driving Lessons UK price guide £28–£40 Car Mechanic UK price guide £54.85–£54.85

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about locksmith costs in the UK.

How quickly can a locksmith come out for an emergency?
Most emergency locksmiths offer a 15-60 minute response time depending on your location and the time of day. Urban areas typically have faster response times. Some locksmiths charge extra for late-night and weekend call-outs, so ask about the total cost before they travel to you.
Will a locksmith damage my door to get in?
A skilled locksmith can open most locks without causing any damage using specialist non-destructive entry techniques. In rare cases, such as high-security locks or snapped keys, the lock may need to be drilled out and replaced. A good locksmith will always try non-destructive methods first and explain the options.
Should I change the locks when I move house?
Yes, it is strongly recommended. You have no way of knowing how many copies of the existing keys are in circulation — previous owners, their family, neighbours, cleaners or tradespeople may all have copies. Changing the locks on move-in day is one of the cheapest and most effective security measures you can take.
What is the difference between a euro cylinder and a mortice lock?
A euro cylinder is the barrel that sits inside a uPVC or composite door and is operated by a key. A mortice lock is fitted into the edge of a wooden door and has a separate deadbolt. Mortice locks are generally considered more secure. For euro cylinders, look for ones with anti-snap, anti-pick and anti-bump features to BS TS007 3-star standard.
How do I avoid rogue locksmiths?
Check for a physical local address and landline phone number. Avoid businesses that only advertise with a mobile number and no website. Ask if they are a member of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) or the NCFE-accredited Locksmith Training Alliance. Get a fixed price before they travel and never pay for a call-out that was not agreed in advance.
What locks does my home insurance require?
Most UK home insurance policies require a 5-lever mortice deadlock to BS3621 on wooden doors and a 3-star euro cylinder (or equivalent) on UPVC and composite doors. Check your policy wording — if your locks do not meet the specified standard, a claim could be rejected. A locksmith can check your current locks and advise on upgrades.
Can a locksmith open any lock?
A skilled locksmith can open the vast majority of domestic locks using non-destructive techniques like picking or bypassing. Very high-security locks may need to be drilled out, which means the lock is destroyed and a replacement is fitted. A reputable locksmith will always try the non-destructive option first and explain the costs of each method.
How much does an emergency locksmith cost at night?
Evening and weekend call-outs typically cost £100-£250 depending on the time and your location. Middle-of-the-night jobs are at the higher end. Daytime call-outs during working hours are usually £60-£150. Always confirm the total price including parts before the locksmith travels to you.
Are smart locks secure?
Good quality smart locks from reputable brands like Yale Conexis, Nuki, or Ultion are very secure and often more convenient than traditional keys. Look for smart locks that meet the same British Standards as conventional locks. The main risk is the digital side — make sure you use a strong PIN and keep the app updated. A physical key backup is always worth having.
How much does a locksmith cost in the UK?
The most common locksmith job, emergency lockout (daytime), costs between £60 and £150 nationally, with an average of £100. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects locksmith prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable locksmith?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do locksmith prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a locksmith?
Demand for locksmith services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.