How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
Let's breakdown the costs involved...
The cost of hiring a locksmith will vary depending on the type of locksmith services conducted and the size and type of door, window or lock.
What is a Locksmith anyway?
A locksmith uses various techniques to open, repair and fit locks.
It's important to note that some locks & doors are more expensive to open.
So what are the costs then, on average?
The average cost of changing a lock ranges from £60 to £120, while the cost to fix a lock is typically priced at £40 to £70 and unlocking a door costs around £70 to £80.
Locksmith Prices
Here is a price breakdown of various locksmith jobs:
| Locksmith Job | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Fixing a lock | £40 - £70 |
| Replacing a lock | £60 - £120 |
| Unlocking a door | £70 - £80 |
| Emergency boarding up | £150 - £210 |
The below table sets out the cost of various lock types:
| Lock Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard euro cylinder | £80 - £90 |
| Anti-snap euro cylinder | £100 - £120 |
| Mortice lock | £110 - £120 |
| Yale lock | £80 - £100 |
| Patio door lock | £80 - £100 |
| Garage door lock | £80 - £100 |
| Rim cylinder | £60 - £80 |
The above prices will vary depending on several factors, including the property's location, as locksmiths tend to charge more in London than in other areas like the North West.
The level of access will also determine the final cost, as difficult to reach windows and doors may take longer to fix or change.
What are the Supply Costs of Locksmith Jobs?
Another important cost factor to consider is the supply costs, which will typically be included in the final cost given by a locksmith. The price will vary depending on the type of lock and door or window.
If you plan to fit a lock yourself, you should take a look at the below table which sets out the supply costs for various lock types.
| Lock Type | Supply Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard euro cylinder | £10 to £30 |
| Anti-snap euro cylinder | £40 to £60 |
| Mortice deadlock | £15 - £30 |
| Mortice sash lock | £20 - £35 |
| Yale lock/Night latch | £20 - £30 |
| Yale lock/Night latch BS3621 | £70 - £90 |
| Patio door lock | £5 - £20 |
| uPVC door lock | £60 - £200 |
| Garage door lock | £10 - £20 |
| Window lock | £15 - £25 |
| Rim cylinder | £10 - £20 |
What are the Additional Costs of Locksmith Jobs?
When calculating the cost of locksmith jobs, you should consider the price of various other jobs, including:
New Front Door
One of the most common costs is a new front door, which will vary depending on the door type. For instance, a uPVC door typically costs around £250 to £450, while a wooden door ranges from £120 to £1800.
New Window
The average cost of a new window starts at around £400 for a uPVC casement window; however, prices can reach up to £1500 for an aluminium sash window.
There are also several cost affecting factors to take into account, such as:
Minimum Fee
Locksmiths typically charge a minimum fee for any jobs they perform. This is typically around £15 to £30 depending on the location.
Type of Door/Window
The type of window or door that requires a new lock or a repair will also impact the overall cost. For instance, a lock change on a uPVC door or window will range from £100 to £170, while the cost to replace a lock on a wooden door or window costs around £100 to £150.
Size of Window/Door
The window or door's size may also affect the cost, as usually, the larger the fixture is, the longer it will take to replace or repair a lock.
Duration
The time spent on the job is a substantial factor, as the longer the job takes, the more it will cost. For instance, a repair may take a lot less time than a complete replacement and, therefore, be cheaper.
Tradesmen Costs for Locksmith Jobs
The average locksmith rates range from £15 to £80 per hour, which again will vary depending on the location with areas in the North West charging the lower amount, while London and the surrounding areas will charge £80 or more.
If multiple locks need to be changed or repaired, then a locksmith may charge a daily rate of around £80 to £500 or sometimes more depending on the extent of the job.
Types of Locksmith Jobs
locksmiths specialise in changing or repairing locks; however, they conduct a wide range of jobs, including:
Fixing a Lock
One of the most common jobs conducted by a locksmith is lock repairs, which will vary depending on the type of lock and the extent of the damage. Repairing a lock usually involves the following steps:
- The locksmith will first remove the lock faceplate if it is loose or damaged.
- They will then disassemble the lock to check the position of the screws.
- A new set of screws will then be secured to the old lock, and this will be checked to ensure it works and is secure.
The process, will, of course, vary depending on the type of lock.
Replacing a Lock
If your locks need changing completely, then you can hire a locksmith to replace them. Replacing a lock will vary depending on the type of lock.
Euro Cylinder Lock Replacement
The first step involves removing the central fixing screw. The locksmith will then loosen the door handle before removing the cylinder.
A key will then be placed in the lock, pulled out and twisted left in order to align it with the cam. Once it is properly aligned, the lock will then slide out easily.
The new cylinder can then be put into the gap and secured with fixing screws, followed by tightening the handle. A key will then be inserted into the new lock to ensure it is working correctly
Mortice Sash Lock Replacement
To remove the lock, the door must be open, and a key is typically inserted and turned to the lock position before removing the key and the screws which hold the faceplate in place.
The internal door handle and spindle will then be removed and set aside for replacement.
A set of pliers will then be used to remove the old lock. The new and old faceplates and lock bodies will then be compared to ensure it is the right size, if not the gap in the door may need to be chiselled to ensure it fits properly.
The lock body can be then be secured along with the faceplate, spindle and handle which will all be checked with a key to ensure it works.
Cylinder Rim Lock Replacement
Unscrew and keep hold of the lock body for later. The screws can then be removed from the existing cylinder
Once this is complete, the old lock can then be pushed out and removed. If the new lock is longer than the old one, a hacksaw is typically used to amend it.
The new cylinder can then be pushed into place along with fixing the screws and the lock body which should be tested to ensure it works.
Unlocking a Door
If a homeowner locks themself out or loses their key, they will need to call a locksmith to perform a non-destructive entry. A locksmith will typically use a hand pick or an electric lock pick to open the door.
For a mortice look, they may use a mortice lock decoder or a letterbox tool for other lock types.
Emergency Boarding
If a break-in occurs and a window or door is damaged, then you can hire a locksmith to board up your entrances to ensure the property is secure and safe.
This will involve removing any broken glass or frames and secure wooden boards to the inside and outside of the property.
How Long Do Locksmith Jobs Take?
The duration of locksmith jobs will depend on several factors, including the type of job, the extent of the damage, and ease of access.
However, the average time spent on replacing a lock is typically around 20 to 30 minutes, while fixing a lock may only take 10 to 15 minutes.
If a door needs to be unlocked, this could take approximately 30 minutes to an hour, while emergency boarding typically takes a locksmith around 1 to hours depending on the damage.
FAQs
What is a Locksmith?
A locksmith is a tradesperson who specialises in making, repairing and fitting locks to doors and windows.
How much is an Emergency Locksmith?
Some locksmiths charge a free callout charge, although they tend to charge a typical hourly or daily rate after an hour.
Can a Locksmith open a car door?
If you forget your keys to your locked car, then you can hire a locksmith to open the car door in a non-destructive way that will not cause any damage to the vehicle.
Do Locksmiths need to be licensed?
Locksmiths do not need any specific qualifications in the UK and do not need a license to conduct work.
However, many opt to learn necessary skills by enrolling in locksmith courses or becoming an apprentice while learning from an experienced locksmith.
What Locksmith tools you need to unlock a door?
Locksmiths use a variety of tools to open a door without damage. This includes a trip wire which is a curved tool that is used to open frozen tumblers.
They also use hex keys or allen keys which will be used to grind down the existing key in order to open the door.
Plastic shims are another popular tool which work particularly well with door latches as they can slide between the door to create an opening.
Sources
- https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/locksmith-prices/
- https://www.keytek.co.uk/locksmith-prices/
- https://www.wickes.co.uk/how-to-guides/home-safety-security/fit-replace-door-locks
- https://homelyville.com/door-lock-cylinder-repair/
- https://www.lockrite.org/how-locksmiths-open-doors
- https://www.aimlockandsafe.ca/blog/tools-trade-locksmiths-use-unlock-door/
- https://herolocksmith.co.uk/general-locksmith/should-locksmiths-be-licensed/
