How much does a locksmith cost in the UK?

Locksmith pricing in the UK is unusually opaque. Some firms publish nothing, some quote a headline figure that turns out to exclude everything, and a small number of national lead-generation outfits still use the £39 call-out bait that has been criticised repeatedly in consumer reporting.

This page sets out what locksmith work actually costs in the North West in 2026, based on the prices charged for real jobs. It is deliberately specific, because the single best protection against being overcharged is knowing what a fair figure looks like.

Typical UK locksmith prices in 2026

• Emergency lockout, standard door: £70
• Emergency lockout, evening or weekend: £100 – £150
• Lock change (euro cylinder, UPVC door): £90 – £160
• Night latch or mortice lock replacement: £95 – £150
• UPVC door adjustment (dropped door): £60 – £90
• Multi-point gearbox replacement: £160 – £300
• TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder upgrade: £90 – £160
• British Standard BS3621 deadlock fitted: £95 – £150
• Window lock, per window: £90 – £160
• Key safe supplied and fitted: £90 – £300

Why the £39 call-out is a trap

A very low headline call-out fee is not a discount. It is a way of getting someone to your door, where the real price is established once you have no realistic alternative. The pattern is well documented: the advertised £39 or £49 covers attendance only, and the actual work, drilling the lock, replacing the cylinder, gaining entry, is charged separately at whatever figure the situation will bear.

A genuine local locksmith quotes for the job, not for the visit. That means a single figure covering the work, agreed in advance, with parts quoted separately if they turn out to be needed.

What actually affects the price

Time of day

Evening, night and weekend call-outs carry a premium because the work is genuinely inconvenient. A reasonable uplift is 20 to 40 per cent over the daytime rate. Anything approaching double should be questioned.

Door and lock type

A standard UPVC or composite door with a euro cylinder is the simplest and cheapest job. Older timber doors, mortice locks, multipoint systems and anything with unusual hardware take longer and cost more.

Whether damage is avoidable

Non-destructive entry should be the default on a modern door. If a locksmith tells you drilling is the only option on a standard UPVC door without attempting anything else, get a second opinion. Drilling also means a replacement cylinder on top of the labour charge.

Questions to ask before you book

• What is the total price for the job, including any parts?
• Is there a separate call-out fee, or is that included?
• Can you confirm the figure in a text or WhatsApp before you travel?
• Will you attempt non-destructive entry first?
• Are you based locally, and what is my realistic arrival time?

A reputable locksmith will answer all five without hesitation. The answers also tell you a great deal: a locally based tradesman quoting a specific figure and confirming it in writing is a different proposition from a call centre quoting a range and dispatching whoever is nearest.

Getting a fair price

The most reliable protection is a locksmith you already know. Save a local number before you need it, and check whether the firm is listed on a review platform where the reviews are verified and tied to real jobs.

If you are locked out right now and want a straight answer, KMG Locksmiths will give you a figure on the phone before travelling. There is no call-out fee and no hourly meter.