How much does a locksmith cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per call-out
£70 – £150
A locksmith in the UK typically charges £70–£150 for a call-out, with emergency and out-of-hours work higher. Locksmithing is not a licensed trade in the UK, which makes choosing carefully more important than in most trades — anyone can advertise as one, and overcharging at the door is a known problem in the sector.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Standard call-out | £70 – £150 |
| Emergency lockout | £100 – £250 |
| Change a cylinder (euro lock) | £80 – £150 |
| uPVC multipoint mechanism | £120 – £220 |
| Fit a night latch | £80 – £150 |
| Boarding up after a break-in | £100 – £250 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
There is no national licence — check credentials yourself
Locksmithing is not a regulated trade in the UK. There is no legal requirement for training, qualification or registration, which means anyone can set up as a locksmith tomorrow.
The practical consequence is that the burden of checking falls on you. The Master Locksmiths Association operates a voluntary inspection and vetting scheme, and its members are DBS-checked and regularly assessed. It is not a legal requirement, but it is the clearest quality signal available.
Be alert to national-sounding call centres with local-looking numbers. They dispatch subcontractors and add a margin, and they are the source of a large share of complaints about inflated prices.
Before anyone travels, get a name, a firm price for the likely job, and confirmation of what happens if it turns out to be more complicated. Get it by message so you have it in writing.
Locked out: what you should be paying
Most lockouts on standard domestic doors are opened non-destructively, and that should be the default. A competent locksmith picks or manipulates the lock and leaves it working.
Be cautious of anyone who reaches immediately for a drill. Drilling destroys the cylinder and guarantees you also buy a replacement, which is convenient for whoever is charging you. Sometimes it genuinely is necessary — a snapped key, a failed mechanism, some high-security cylinders — but it should be explained first, not started first.
Agree the price before they begin. The most common complaint in this trade is a quote given on the phone that becomes a much larger number once the door is open and you are standing there in the cold.
If a price changes at the door, you are entitled to decline and send them away. It is uncomfortable, but it is cheaper than accepting.
Insurance-approved locks and BS3621
Most home insurance policies specify a minimum standard for external door locks, and the usual reference is BS3621 — a British Standard for thief-resistant locks, identifiable by a kitemark on the faceplate.
If your policy requires it and your locks do not meet it, a claim after a break-in can be affected. It is worth checking your policy wording and then checking your own doors for the kitemark.
For uPVC doors the picture is different: the relevant upgrade is usually a cylinder meeting an anti-snap standard, since cylinder snapping is a common method of entry on older uPVC doors.
When having locks changed, tell the locksmith what your insurer requires and ask them to fit to that standard. It costs little more at the time and considerably less than a declined claim.
How to keep the cost down
Avoid emergency rates where you safely can. If you can stay with someone for the night, a morning appointment is often half the price.
Keep a spare key with someone you trust nearby. It is the cheapest lockout insurance there is.
Use a local, independent locksmith rather than a national call centre — you are paying one margin instead of two.
Get the price in writing before they travel, including what happens if drilling turns out to be necessary.
And if you are changing locks after losing keys or moving in, book it as a normal appointment rather than an urgent one. It is exactly the same job at a lower rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locksmith cost?+
£70–£150 for a standard call-out, and £100–£250 for an emergency lockout. Changing a euro cylinder is typically £80–£150 including the part.
Do locksmiths need a licence in the UK?+
No — it is an unregulated trade, so anyone can advertise as one. The Master Locksmiths Association runs a voluntary vetting and inspection scheme, which is the clearest quality signal available.
Will they have to drill my lock?+
Usually not. Most domestic lockouts can be opened non-destructively. Drilling destroys the cylinder and means buying a replacement, so it should be explained and agreed before anyone starts.
Why did the price go up when they arrived?+
It is a known problem in this trade, particularly with national call centres dispatching subcontractors. Get a firm price in writing before anyone travels, and decline if it changes at the door.
What is a BS3621 lock?+
A British Standard for thief-resistant locks, marked with a kitemark. Many insurance policies require it on external doors, so check your policy wording and your own doors.
How much to change locks after moving in?+
£80–£150 per cylinder as a normal appointment. Book it as routine rather than urgent — it is the same job at a lower rate.
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