How Much Does It Cost to Change Locks?

Want to find out the locksmith prices to change locks?

On average you can expect to pay £100 - this will depend on the type of lock you need and how many you want replaced.

So, how can this guide help you?

In this complete cost guide, we cover all you need to know about getting your locks changed, including locksmith costs, door lock costs and much more!

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How Much to Change Locks?

Who replaces locks?

A locksmith can replace and upgrade your home’s locks.

Why would your locks need changing or replacing?

The most common reasons why new locks need to be fitted include:

• Moving into a new home.
• Current locks insufficient for insurance reasons.
• Lost keys.
• The existing lock is worn or faulty.

So a good locksmith can be of great assistance, especially if you find yourself locked out. But finding a good locksmith is not easy, there is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK, so anyone can advertise as a locksmith!

So it is essential that you only deal with reputable and professional locksmiths that are vetted, inspected & background checked, the easiest way to do this is to use only MLA (Master Locksmiths Association), locksmiths.

How much will a lock cost to get changed?

The average cost of getting your locks changed is between £100-£150 for replacing a standard deadlock including materials and labour. The price to replace a Yale lock cylinder is usually around £120.

Door Lock Changing Prices

Below are some estimated costs of hiring a tradesperson to change a variety of different door locks:

Supply Only Costs

Material costs for changing your locks are often relatively cheap depending on your choice of lock and type of British Standard, ranging from £15 to anywhere up to £60.

Below is a table with estimated prices of supply costs when buying materials individually before labour and waste removal costs, as well as the cost of a locksmith, this is an excellent way to set your budget out prior to hiring a contractor:

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Additional Costs

If you’re looking to change or update your locks for enhanced security after a break-in or scare, then there are a few other jobs that you may want to consider whilst you have a tradesman on site.

Whilst they’re assessing your home, it’s worth asking if they don’t mind checking the rest of your door locks to ensure you don’t need any potential repair or replacements on them.

You may need to install a new lock on a whole new door, the cost to install and replace a new front door is usually around £1000, depending on style, materials and quality. A general update and improvement on your home security can add an extra £500 to your budget.

If you’re looking to install a brand new CCTV system, prices range from £500-£1200 as there are lots of different models and quality technology to choose from.

Secure everything and make sure it looks good by having a decorator reseal windows and doors, which can cost as little as £50.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The average labour costs and timeframe of a standard locksmith job is usually not too pricey. Generally, a locksmith will charge up to £80 per day for a Monday to Friday 9-5 job; however, if you hire an emergency locksmith at late hours or on weekends, then they can charge you a call-out fee of a minimum of £50 just for coming out.

Timescales can differ depending on the scale and difficulty of the job; however, in most cases, a standard lock changing job will take between 1-2 hours. Emergency call outs can vary, but an initial consultation can take up to an hour, and more complicated jobs which require materials may be extended to the next day.

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Cost Factors of Getting Your Locks Changed

A variety of factors can affect the cost of a lock changing job, as well as increasing the amount of time it takes to be completed. Below is a general outline of the different cost factors that you’ll occur when changing your locks.

Emergency Call-out

Emergency call-out charges can massively impact the amount you spend on changing your locks. If you’re ever in a situation where you’re locked out of your house, or your lock breaks and you’re stuck, then you’ll need to call an emergency locksmith to sort the job.

Normal working hours which include Monday to Friday from 9-5 and can cost about £50 for a call-out charge. However, if you call during the hours of 6pm to 8 am, then their call-out charge can raise itself to £100 due to inconvenience and personal time.

Material

The material costs include whichever lock choice is suited for your door. As to be expected, a budget lock cylinder will be cheaper starting at £50, whereas a better quality and secure lock cylinder will be more expensive, starting at £150.

Although it may seem easier to go for the budget option, a higher quality lock will serve you better in the long run and will help you avoid potential repair and maintenance costs.

Size of Job

The size of each job will change depending on how many locks need changing and the severity of the issue, e.g. key broken inside or lock being damaged. A standard lock changing job for several doors within your house can take between 2-3 hours for around £50 for the first hour, and an extra £25 for every extra hour.

However, if you’ve rang for an emergency locksmith, then they may not have the right materials or parts for you and will take an extra day or two to order them in.

What's Involved in Getting Your Locks Changed?

Changing your locks is usually a simple and stress-free job for any professional locksmith.

Below is a guide to what a typical replacement and installation job will look like when being performed by a tradesman:

Removing Previous Lock

After an initial consultation and agreeing on a quote with your locksmith, they will start the job by removing the door’s lock and deadbolts.

The first two bolts will be detached first before turning the plate assembly and removing the deadbolt lock assembly. After this, they will detach the screws which hold the deadbolt plate.

Changing Lock

Next, they will fit the new lock and deadbolt, installing the mechanism for the lock before turning the assembly plate, so it fits to the top. Next, they will twist the doorknob to view the holes in the bolt, fastening the key assembly securely.

Secure and Test

Finally, your locksmith will triple test your door after it’s been connected into place safely and tight, making sure to lock and unlock the key several times. After they’re confident with the product, your door will be wiped, cleaned and cleared of any waste.

Can I Change Locks Myself?

There’s nothing to stop you fitting your own locks but this is not recommended for most unless you know exactly what size and type of door lock you need to keep the home secure and not invalidate your home insurance.

Incorrectly specified and/or fitted locks are useless when it comes to stopping criminals, so the best bet is to get advice from a Master locksmith to prevent any security issues.

If you decide to ignore the advice of the Police and consumer organisations and fit locks yourself – at least take advice from a locksmith on which locks to buy and make sure you fit them correctly following all the manufacturer’s instructions.

Choosing a Lock

Deciding what type of lock you get may not even be up to you, as certain door makes will only fit with one lock. This is why it’s always essential to have a professional locksmith to change and fit new locks because they’ll know exactly what type of lock you need.

Below is a general outline of the most popular locks you can get and a few pros and cons.

5 Lever Mortice Deadlock Cost

A 5 lever mortice deadlock typically costs between £120-£150 and is commonly fitted on wooden doors as it can be locked from both the inside and the outside.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to install
• ✔ Average pricing
• ✔ Secure

Cons

• ✖ May not be tested against burglar techniques

Multi-point Locking System Cost

This is an excellent choice for uPVC and composite doors because it adds an extra safety element by using multiple locking mechanisms. This usually costs around £200.

Pros

• ✔ Difficult for trespassers to disarm
• ✔ Great for public settings

Cons

• ✖ Confusing
• ✖ Higher expense

Rim Automatic Deadlatch Cost

A rim automatic deadlatch is often a cheaper option, and a usual replacement can be between £50-£80. This type of lock is an extension on the door frame as opposed to a normal lock, usually placed at the top of a door.

Pros

• ✔ Extra security
• ✔ Cheap

Cons

• ✖ Can be dismantled
• ✖ Can’t be used solely as a lock

Euro Cylinder Lock Cost

This is a very popular lock choice, with a replacement costing between £70-£100. A euro cylinder lock is often used in schools and is seen between a lock case.

Pros

• ✔ Cheaper option
• ✔ Good for large grounds
• ✔ Adaptable

Cons

• ✖ Standard quality

Benefits of Changing Locks

If you’re unsure on whether you should be replacing or changing your locks, below are several benefits which may sway your decision.

Safer Home

In general, changing your locks from time to time will make your home safer. You should always change your locks when you first move into a new house as you never know who had access to it before you moved in.

Deter Thieves

If you’re feeling uneasy from a burglary experience or have heard rumours of neighbourhood thieves, then changing or updating your locks to a more secure version can help deter thieves from targeting your home.

Peace of Mind

This can be for a whole host of reasons, such as if a flatmate or ex has moved out of your house and you may be concerned that they’ve had an extra set of keys made. This is also applicable in workplaces; if an employee gets fired, you can never be sure who has access to your office.

Do I Need to Change My Locks?

Changing locks is an extremely common job which people will have to do several times throughout their life as a homeowner. Reasons differ from thieves, lost keys, locked out, old locks, area of the home, and updating to a more secure option.

Sometimes, it may just be that your lock needs repairing, things to look out for include:

• Damaged locks, ranging from unstable and loose keyholes to noticeable chips and scratches.
• Defects, this can be detected if you’re struggling to open your door or having trouble unlocking it.
• Older locks will typically need either repairing or replacing straight away when moving into a new home; this is a give in.

Interference, if you’re worried about the aesthetic of your doors and locks, then you may want to hire a contractor for a repair job if you notice any scuffs, scratches or marks.

Emergency Locksmith Cost

There may be an occasion where you find yourself locked out, break your keys or God forbid, as a victim of a potential burglary. If so, you’ll need to call an Emergency Locksmith to get you into your house safely and securely which will cost slightly more than a regular locksmith.

The fast response time means the labour costs can be around £90 for call-out costs without labour and materials. Below goes into more detail about how different aspects can affect your emergency locksmith costs.

Type of Emergency

The type of emergency can alter the cost of an emergency locksmith. It’ll be a standard cost of about £90 per hour for a lost key/locksmith to let you in, as opposed to added costs of extra time and materials needed for a break-in/damage to the door.

Time

The time you call for an emergency locksmith can massively change up your cost factors; if you call at unsociable hours such as weekends or weekdays from 7 pm to 6 am, then you will be charged more. You’ll also receive additional charges around bank holidays and Christmas, with working hours hiking up to £120 plus VAT.

Call Out Fee

A lot of emergency locksmiths will charge you a fee just for coming out. Their call out fee can reach up too £100 just for an initial consultation. Always make sure to check prior to picking a locksmith if they charge this fee.

Cost of Removing a Door Lock

Removing a sole door lock by itself is typically uncommon, in most cases, you’ll have to replace the old lock with a new one. However, there may be times when landlords want to take locks off doors or parents wish to access their children’s rooms.

In cases like this, a contractor can simply remove the lock and seal over the existing hole, taking no more than an hour for a single door and costing an average hourly rate of £50-£60.

DIY enthusiasts can easily undertake this task if they have extensive knowledge of different types of locks. For a regular cylinder lock, you’ll need a Phillips head and flathead screwdriver, and an Allen wrench. Starting by removing the screws and spindle with both screwdrivers, then popping the cylinder out with your Allen wrench.

Hiring a Locksmith Checklist

The Master Locksmiths Association scheme means all their locksmiths have been vetted and they are regularly inspected and are qualified locksmiths with proof of competence.

There are other organisations which locksmiths can belong to. Still, some are unscrupulous entities which simply offer accreditation by post for the payment of a small fee with no checks whatsoever!

So the locksmith gets to add an official-looking logo to advertising which helps to convince customers they are competent and reliable - but this is often far from the case!

So stick with MLA approved locksmiths wherever possible. To gather quotes easily from up to three local locksmiths, you can use the free system on MyJobQuote.co.uk, simply enter brief details about the job then we will put you in touch with local tradespeople to provide quotes and further assistance.

Below is a checklist to consider when hiring a contractor for changing a lock and checking locksmith near me prices.

• Make sure your locksmith is MLA approved and has the correct qualifications for the job.
• Seek out a few different options and ensure you ask for a handful of quotes from locksmiths before settling on one company/tradesman. Even if you think you have a good deal straight away, you should always weigh up other options.
• Double-check that your locksmith is authorised to change your locks and has completed similar jobs to this before. Always ask for references and pictures from their previous clients.
• Always put a written agreement with your locksmith out before any work takes place. This will ensure you have a clear outline of the job specification and what services will be included in their quote.
• Always make sure that your tradesperson is insured and offers a guarantee for their work, as well as being registered with a reputable trade body.

Last but not least, remember to ask for a receipt or payment confirmation to protect you against possible future disputes.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.thesecurityblogger.com/the-many-different-types-of-locks/
https://www.keytek.co.uk/locksmith-prices/
https://www.lockrite.org/locksmith-prices.php