Locksmith Prices and Costs - 2026 Guide

At Keytek Locksmiths, we’ve built this 2026 locksmith price guide from real data across our extensive UK operation to give you accurate, Britain-specific pricing for average hourly locksmith rates by region, typical costs for common jobs like lock changes and emergency call-outs, price ranges for different lock types and parts, and the UK-specific factors that affect what you’ll pay.

With nearly 30 years of experience as one of the UK’s largest and most trusted locksmiths, we understand the requirements of British properties and local market conditions. We believe in transparent pricing and in sharing our industry expertise so you can make an informed decision.

Note: All prices listed are estimates based on recent UK jobs and should be used as a general guide. Your final cost may vary depending on location, job complexity and time of service.

How Much Does it Cost to Change Locks in the UK? 

Changing a lock in the UK typically costs from £120 to £185, plus labour from £96 per hour. A simple euro cylinder swap sits at the lower end; a high-security or multi-point mechanism costs more.

Whether you’re locked out, moving home or upgrading your security, this guide explains what you can expect to pay. Lock changes are usually more affordable than full security upgrades, which may need higher-spec locks and insurance-compliant parts. Landlords and estate agents may pay more when several locks need changing across a property, especially when keys are lost or not returned.

General Locksmith Prices at a Glance

Cost of Changing a Door Lock by Door Type (2026)

Expect to pay from £119 for a wooden-door cylinder and from £125 for a standard uPVC cylinder. A uPVC multi-point mechanism is the priciest common job, from £220.

uPVC euro locks are often less expensive than mortice locks or rim cylinders, so you can generally expect to pay less on uPVC doors than on wooden doors. Depending on the size, make and model of the euro cylinder, you’ll pay for labour plus the price of the parts to change a uPVC door lock.

Cost to Change uPVC Door Locks (and Why They Fail)

Replacing a uPVC door lock starts from £125 including labour and parts. Because most UK homes have uPVC doors, the cylinder itself is usually easy to source, with parts from £35 upwards.

All our locksmiths are uPVC specialists, so in most cases they can fix your door in a single visit.* Learn more on our uPVC door lock guide.

• 47.7% of all Keytek call-outs are uPVC doors
• 50.8% of uPVC jobs are caused by the lock failing, not lost keys
• 2× more likely to need a locksmith than with a wooden door
• £68saved on average by acting at the first warning sign

Our analysis of over 350,000 Keytek jobs shows uPVC doors account for 47.7% of all call-outs, and it’s rarely about lost keys. In fact, 50.8% of uPVC jobs are down to the lock itself failing. uPVC frames expand in summer heat and contract in winter cold, which pushes the locking points out of alignment, so failures peak twice a year: July (9.54%) and August (9.52%), then again in December (8.8%) and January (8.5%).

The Cost of Waiting: Catch it Early and Save

A stiff or “floppy” uPVC handle is an early warning. Keytek’s data shows the longer you leave it, the more you pay:

Calling a locksmith at Stage 1 rather than waiting for Stage 3 saves an average of £68.20. If your handle needs a firm lift or a shoulder to lock, the countdown has already started.

Cost to Change Wooden Door Locks

On a wooden door, replacing a rim cylinder starts from £25, a nightlatch (Yale) from £30 and a mortice lock from £35, plus labour.

If you have a wooden door, you’ll usually have a rim cylinder and a nightlatch (also known as a Yale), a mortice lock, or in some cases both.

• Replace a rim cylinder: prices start from £25
• Replace a nightlatch (Yale): prices start from £30
• Replace a mortice: prices start from £35

Locksmith Prices by Service Type

Common jobs range from £80 for a door and window adjustment to £350+ to change all the locks on a house. Most single lock changes take under an hour.

Different services carry different prices because they vary in the parts needed, the time to complete and the skills required. Average locksmith labour costs start from £96, and the total will range upwards depending on the job.

Cost to Unlock a House and Open a Door

Gaining entry when you’re locked out starts from £100 if nothing needs replacing. If you’ve lost your keys and the lock has to be changed too, expect from £125.

The cost to open a locked door can start from £100 but varies with the type of door and lock. Euro cylinders and nightlatches can be quick and straightforward to open, whereas high-security locks take longer.

Lost your keys rather than just been locked out? A lost-key job typically costs £80–£120 more than a standard lockout, because the lock usually has to be replaced to keep your home secure. Keytek’s UK lost-key data shows Sunday is the most common day for losing keys, with a clear evening peak around 7pm. See our UK Forgetfulness Index for the full picture.

Locksmith Labour Rates and Call-Out Fees

A labour rate covers the work itself; a call-out fee is just to arrive on site. Keytek does not charge a call-out fee. Daytime labour starts from around £96 per hour.

Location and time of day have a big impact on the cost of a locksmith.

Locksmith Labour Costs: Daytime vs Night-Time Rates

Average locksmith labour can start at £96 per hour, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Outside these hours you’ll likely be charged on a tiered structure based on the time you call out a locksmith.

Typical Locksmith Costs by Location in the UK

Price of Door Locks and Parts

Lock parts alone start from around £20 for a garage door lock or handle and rise to £110 for a uPVC mechanism, before labour.

High-Security Door Lock Prices

High-security locks such as the Ultion range start from £140 and rise to £160+ for the 3 Star Plus model, reflecting anti-pick, anti-bump and anti-snap features.

Ultion locks vary by size, model and the quality you want. For a specific price, call our team on 0808 164 2928. And if a burglar gains access by snapping an Ultion lock, they’ll pay you a £2,000 guarantee.

Insurance-Approved Locks and Compliance

UK home insurers often require a British Standard lock (BS3621, BS8521 or TS007). Insurance-compliant models start from around £45 for a lever lock or nightlatch and £55 for a euro cylinder.

British Standard locks are more resistant to tampering, drilling and forced entry, but the exact requirement depends on your door type and policy.

Looking to fit insurance-approved locks? Keytek can offer a range of options to secure your home.

What Affects the Cost of Changing Locks?

Five factors drive the total cost of changing locks in the UK:

1. Type of Lock

A standard euro cylinder is cheaper and commonly used; a British Standard 5-lever mortice lock is more secure and often required by insurers; high-security locks cost more for their advanced features.

2. Number of Locks

Changing one lock is cheaper than replacing several. Securing a whole property, for example after moving house, costs more with each additional door or access point.

3. Labour Costs

Hourly rates vary by region, experience and time of day. Expect higher costs in cities (congestion charges and parking) and during out-of-hours call-outs.

4. Parts and Materials

Upgraded or insurance-approved locks cost more, and the price rises if extra parts are needed, such as handles, door furniture or replacement keys.

5. Emergency vs Scheduled

Emergency lock changes, for example after a break-in, may carry a premium elsewhere.

How Long Does it Take to Change a Lock?

Most single lock changes take 20–90 minutes. A euro cylinder swap is around 20–40 minutes; a mortice lock takes 45–90 minutes; changing every lock in a house can take 2–4 hours.

The exact time depends on the lock type, the condition of the door and whether any adjustment or repair is needed alongside the change.

Locksmith Part Guarantees

Any parts supplied and fitted by Keytek Locksmiths come with a 12-month guarantee covering issues with the lock parts or hardware, whether that’s a euro cylinder, mortice lock or other security hardware. If an issue arises within this period, our team will address it promptly so your home or business stays secure.

How to Reduce the Cost of a Locksmith

There are practical ways to keep locksmith costs down without compromising on quality:

• Book during normal working hours. Where you can, book between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, labour rates are usually cheapest then.
• Check what’s included. Ask upfront what the quote does and doesn’t cover.
• Check for guarantees. A trustworthy locksmith guarantees parts they supply and fit, which can save money later.
• Use a trusted locksmith. Check reviews and make sure your locksmith is DBS-checked and professionally accredited.
• Don’t try DIY. Attempting to change locks yourself can cause more damage and may invalidate your home insurance, professional work is safer and usually cheaper in the long run.

Questions to Ask Your Locksmith Before You Book

Disclaimer: This Locksmith pricing guide 2025 should only be used as a rough estimate and does not provide set prices for the Locksmith industry. If you would like more accurate pricing for a particular job, then please call the Keytek team on 0808 164 2928.