A locksmith in the UK will commonly charge around £60 to £120 per hour, although the final price depends on the job, lock type, location, time of day and any replacement parts required.
A straightforward daytime lockout will usually cost less than an urgent late-night visit involving a failed multipoint-locking mechanism. Prices can also be higher in London, the South East and other major cities.
Before agreeing to any work, ask for a clear estimate covering attendance, labour, parts and VAT. If the locksmith cannot provide a fixed total before inspecting the lock, ask what could cause the price to change and request approval before additional work begins.
Quick answer: standard locksmith labour commonly costs approximately £60–£120 per hour, while a straightforward emergency house lockout may cost around £70–£150 before major replacement parts. Nights, weekends, complex locks and substantial uPVC repairs can cost more.
Typical locksmith prices in the UK
The figures below are broad UK estimates rather than guaranteed prices. Your actual quotation will depend on the condition of the door, the lock fitted, the work required and your location.
Price guidance: These ranges are planning estimates only. They are not quotations or prices set by Your Local Locksmith. Ask the individual locksmith to confirm attendance, labour, parts, VAT and out-of-hours charges before booking.
What affects the cost of a locksmith?
Two jobs that sound similar over the phone can require very different work. A key left inside a property may only require entry, whereas a damaged multipoint-locking system may need diagnosis, replacement parts and door realignment before the property can be secured.
The time and day
Evening, overnight, weekend and bank-holiday work will normally cost more than a planned daytime appointment.
If the problem is not urgent and the property remains secure, arranging attendance during normal working hours may reduce the cost. Do not delay if somebody is in danger or the building cannot be secured.
The type of lock
A basic euro cylinder, night latch or mortice lock may be quicker to work on than a high-security cylinder, smart lock or complete multipoint mechanism.
The price of replacement parts can also vary considerably between:
- Basic cylinders
- Anti-snap cylinders
- British Standard locks
- Mortice locks
- Night latches
- Multipoint-locking mechanisms
- Smart and electronic locks
- Restricted key systems
The condition of the door
A lock may appear faulty when the underlying problem is a dropped or misaligned door. This is common with uPVC and composite doors.
If the door needs adjustment as well as lock repair, the job may take longer. However, correcting the alignment can prevent a replacement mechanism from failing prematurely.
Your location
Labour rates and travel costs vary across the UK. Prices are often higher in London, the South East and major cities. A locksmith travelling a substantial distance may also include mileage or an attendance charge.
Replacement parts
Any new cylinder, lock case, multipoint mechanism, handle or smart-lock component will normally be added to the labour charge unless the quote explicitly includes it.
Ask for:
- The part manufacturer or specification
- The security standard, where relevant
- The number of keys included
- The separate parts price
- Any product or installation guarantee
The entry method
Non-destructive entry may allow a working lock to remain in place. If the lock must be drilled or otherwise destroyed, replacement parts and fitting will also be required.
Drilling is sometimes necessary, but it should not automatically be the first approach. The locksmith should assess the lock and explain why destructive entry is required before proceeding.
How much does an emergency locksmith cost?
A straightforward emergency house lockout may cost approximately £70–£150, although late-night, weekend and bank-holiday work can cost more.
The quotation should clarify whether it covers:
- Attendance at the property
- The first period of labour
- Gaining entry
- Out-of-hours charges
- Replacement locks or cylinders
- Additional repair work
- VAT, where applicable
Ask whether the price covers gaining entry only or also includes a replacement lock. A quote described only as a “callout” may not include the labour required to open the door.
Emergency and daytime locksmith costs compared
How much does it cost to change a lock?
Replacing a standard door lock may cost approximately £80–£200, including a basic part and labour. Higher-security, British Standard and anti-snap locks can cost more, as can locks requiring additional door preparation.
The final price can depend on:
- The lock type and size
- The required security specification
- The condition of the door
- Whether existing holes or fittings can be reused
- The number of keys supplied
- The number of locks changed during the visit
Changing several locks during one appointment may offer better value than arranging separate visits. If you have recently moved home, request one itemised quote covering every external door.
How much does a uPVC door-lock repair cost?
A straightforward euro-cylinder replacement may cost less than replacing a complete multipoint-locking mechanism.
A failed uPVC mechanism may cost approximately £120–£250 or more to replace, depending on:
- The mechanism manufacturer and model
- Whether a compatible gearbox is available
- Whether the complete locking strip requires replacement
- The cylinder and handles fitted
- Whether the door is jammed shut
- Whether the door also requires realignment
Do not assume the entire mechanism needs replacing because the handle is stiff. A competent locksmith should inspect the cylinder, gearbox, locking strip, spindle, handles and door alignment before recommending parts.
Read our detailed guide to uPVC door-lock problems.
Will a locksmith charge a callout fee?
Some locksmiths charge a separate callout or attendance fee. Others include attendance within a fixed-job price or their first period of labour.
Neither approach is automatically unreasonable, but the price structure must be explained clearly before the locksmith travels.
Questions to ask before booking
How to avoid locksmith overcharging
Locksmithing is not currently regulated by the UK Government in the same way as certain other trades. This makes it particularly important to check who you are booking and agree the likely cost in advance.
Be wary of:
- Very low headline prices that only cover attendance
- Vague answers about labour and parts
- Pressure to approve drilling immediately
- A refusal to provide a written estimate
- Unexplained additional charges
- A business that will not provide its full name and contact details
- Requests for payment before the complete price is explained
- Invoices that do not identify labour, parts and VAT separately
Be cautious of extremely low callout adverts
A low advertised figure may cover attendance only, with entry, drilling, replacement parts, fitting and VAT added afterwards.
Confirm the complete pricing structure in writing. Do not approve destructive entry or expensive replacement parts without a clear explanation and price.
Steps that can help protect you include:
- Check the business name, address and independent reviews
- Ask whether you are speaking directly to the locksmith or a call centre
- Request a written estimate by text or email
- Confirm the complete price structure before attendance
- Send photographs of the door and lock where appropriate
- Do not approve unexplained additional work
- Ask for an itemised invoice showing labour and parts
- Pay using a traceable method
- Keep messages, invoices and payment records
Should a locksmith drill the lock?
Drilling may occasionally be necessary, but it should not automatically be the first entry method attempted.
Before drilling begins, ask:
- Why can the lock not be opened using another method?
- Which part will be destroyed?
- What replacement part will be fitted?
- How much will the replacement cost?
- Will any other part of the door be affected?
- What will the complete invoice be after drilling and replacement?
Once a cylinder or lock has been drilled, the property may be insecure until a replacement is fitted. This can place you under pressure to accept an expensive replacement, so confirm the likely cost first.
Is the cheapest locksmith always the best option?
No. A realistic, transparent quote is usually more useful than the lowest advertised figure.
Compare what each quote includes rather than looking only at the headline price. One quotation may include attendance, labour and VAT, while another may represent the callout charge alone.
Proper diagnosis and an appropriate entry method can avoid the cost of an unnecessary replacement lock or damaged door.
How to keep the final bill under control
Give the locksmith accurate information before they travel. Explain:
- The door material
- The lock type, if known
- Whether the key inserts and turns
- How the handle behaves
- Whether the door is open or closed
- Whether the problem followed an attempted break-in
- Whether the property can currently be secured
Photographs of the lock, door edge, handles, key and any visible markings can help identify the likely parts. Pictures will not always make a fixed quotation possible, but they can reduce uncertainty and help the locksmith arrive prepared.
What to do if the final price changes
Sometimes an inspection reveals a different fault from the one described on the telephone. If the required work changes, ask the locksmith to stop and explain:
- What additional fault has been found
- Why the original work is insufficient
- Which new parts are required
- The additional labour charge
- The revised total including VAT
- Whether there is a less expensive alternative
Do not approve additional work until you understand the revised total. Request written confirmation wherever practical.
What to remember
A locksmith may charge approximately £60–£120 per hour, with straightforward emergency house-lockout work often costing around £70–£150 before significant replacement parts.
Your actual cost will depend on the time, location, lock type, door condition, security specification and work required.
The best protection against an unexpected bill is a clear, itemised quotation. Confirm what is included, ask for approval before additional work and make sure any recommendation to drill or replace a lock is properly explained.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locksmith charge per hour in the UK?
A broad estimate is approximately £60–£120 per hour. Emergency work can cost more during evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
How much does it cost for a locksmith to open a house door?
A straightforward emergency lockout may cost approximately £70–£150. The price can increase if the work is out of hours, the lock is damaged or replacement parts are required.
Does a locksmith’s price include a new lock?
Not always. Some quotations cover attendance and labour only, with parts charged separately. Ask for an itemised estimate showing attendance, entry, labour, parts and VAT.
Is an emergency locksmith more expensive at night?
Usually, yes. Overnight, weekend and bank-holiday appointments often include an out-of-hours premium. If the situation is safe and the property remains secure, a planned daytime visit may cost less.
Should a locksmith drill the lock?
Drilling may occasionally be necessary, but it should not automatically be the first method. The locksmith should assess the lock, explain why drilling is needed and confirm the replacement price before starting.
Do locksmiths charge a callout fee?
Some charge a separate attendance fee, while others include it within a fixed price or first labour charge. Confirm whether the quoted figure includes any work after arrival.
How much does it cost to replace a uPVC door lock?
A cylinder replacement may be relatively straightforward. Replacing a failed multipoint mechanism may cost approximately £120–£250 or more, depending on the parts and whether the door also needs adjustment.
How can I avoid an unexpectedly high locksmith bill?
Request a written estimate, confirm what it includes and ask what could change the price. Do not approve drilling, replacement parts or additional labour without a revised total.
Is a £49 locksmith callout genuine?
It may represent attendance only rather than the complete job. Ask whether it includes labour, gaining entry, parts, fitting, out-of-hours charges and VAT before booking.
Should I receive an invoice from a locksmith?
Yes. Request an itemised invoice identifying the business, work completed, labour, parts, VAT where applicable and payment made.
Pricing note: ranges were reviewed in August 2026 using publicly available UK locksmith cost guidance and reporting on current overcharging practices. Actual prices vary, and Your Local Locksmith does not set the prices charged by independently listed businesses. See current reporting from The Guardian and comparative price guidance from GeraHome.