How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?

The cost of a locksmith in London varies widely depending on who you call. It can be hard to know what a reasonable price is to pay for a good locksmith. Here we shed some light on realistic and reasonable locksmith prices. We aim to explain everything about Locksmiths prices and what costs are realistic.

When it comes to choosing a locksmith if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is! You should expect fixed emergency locksmith prices when calling for a quote You can read our guide to choosing a trustworthy locksmith here.

Why Choose an MLA Approved Locksmith?

Choosing an MLA Approved locksmith provides assurances on;

• The Price of a Locksmith
• A Locksmiths Experience
• Reliability and Trust

Here we share advice on what you should expect to pay for a locksmith service and material and what to if you have been ripped off by a locksmith.

How Much Does it Cost to Call a Locksmith?

Assuming you are calling a reputable London Locksmith labour costs should be in the region of £70+ (increasing to £90 – £120 for out of hours calls).

If you are quoted locksmith rates less than this (e.g. £59) then be wary as you could be on the verge of being ripped off by one of London’s many rogue locksmiths. Always choose a locksmith with care and check their credentials.

Choose an MLA (Master Locksmiths Association) approved locksmith or a genuine locksmith recommended by someone you know and trust. Picking the Cheapest locksmith you find on Google could prove to be an expensive mistake. You can read more about the dangers of choosing a seemingly cheap locksmith here.

Do I Have to Pay a Locksmith Upfront?

A locksmith should only charge work completed. You should expect to pay a Labour fee for the work completed, we advise that you ask if there is an additional “call out charge”. You can read more about locksmith call out charged here.

How Much Does a Locksmith Cost – Final Bill?

Locksmith costs should be comprised of;

• A labour charge (which is usually fixed and agreed at the time of quoting) +
• The cost of any parts (there may be a few options for the customer to choose from) +
• Parking or congestion charges that apply in your area +
• VAT

NB: You should ask the Locksmith prior to any works completed if there is a call out charge. You can read more about the meaning of no call out charge here.

This should all be discussed and agreed at the time of the quoting. The only variable should be parts that are to be chosen by the customer based on options presented by the customer. The locksmith should be able to give a ballpark figure for parts to ensure the customer is fully informed before going ahead.

If these details are not discussed on the phone this is a red-light warning sign. It is not uncommon for rogue locksmiths to quote low and invoice high on completion of a job.

What is the Cost to Change Locks?

The cost to replace door locks depends on the lock used for the job. Lock prices vary depending on the type and quality of a lock. These are price ranges to expect for quality branded locks;

• Mortice locks can cost between £30.00 to £120.00
• Rim cylinders can cost between £15.00 to £120.00

It will depend on the lock required for the job and the option that the customer chooses from the suitable options available.

How Much do Security Grilles & Shutters Cost?

We are MLA approved security grilles and roller shutters installation specialists. Grilles cost in the region of £180 per square metre. You can read more detailed information about how much security grilles cost here.

How Much Does a Locksmith Charge Per Hour?

A locksmith may quote an hourly rate, we however will give a fixed rate that will be fair to both parties, we will only quote an hourly rate in exceptional circumstances.

The average price for a locksmith is expected to be as follows;

• Standard 6am -6pm £70+ for working hours
• Evening 6pm – 10pm £75 – £120 (the same applies for bank holidays)
• Night time 10pm – 6am £90 – £120

Locksmith services prices quoted on the phone to be much less that these are suspicious.

Also if call a locksmith and ask, “How much does it cost for a locksmith?” and you are just quoted a cheap price on the phone with no questions about the job and the type of lock this is a bad sign.

How Much Does an Emergency Locksmith Cost?

Emergency locksmith prices and emergency burglary repairs should be charged at the same as the general locksmith charges listed above. The cost to call a locksmith when you are locked out of your house during the day should be the same as the cost to have a lock changed during the day.

Out of Hours Locksmith Charges

The main influencing factor is the time of day you need an emergency locksmith. If you need a locksmith in an emergency at night-time it will cost much more than if you can wait until the morning.

You can read more about emergency locksmith prices here.

What to Do if I am Overcharged by a Locksmith?

This has become very common and please do not be embarrassed if this has happened to you.

The problem is that there are no laws in place regulating the Locksmith industry, allowing anyone at all to operate as a locksmith and to charge and do whatever they want! An ex convict could even set up a locksmith business with no DBS check. It’s shocking really.

Overcharged by a Locksmith Who Can I Report it To?

When overcharged by a locksmith, you can report the incident to;

• Trading Standards
• Citizens Advice
• Advertising Standards Agency
• Google – you can read here about how to report a locksmith to Google
• The Master Locksmiths Association – they take complaints about MLA members very seriously, there is not much they can do about complaints about non MLA members.

It is hard to say if any action will be taken following a report made about a locksmith to the organisations above, but it is worth doing. Please do warn family and friends about the problems associated with calling a locksmith that you don’t know anything about. Unfortunately many people are reluctant to share their bad experiences which is why so many people continue to get caught out.

The Master Locksmiths Association are the leading locksmith organisation in the UK and are the preferred choice for police. However there is no obligation for a locksmith to become an MLA member. In fact it takes time and dedication to become MLA approved which is why only a small percentage of UK locksmiths choose to take the MLA exam and become MLA approved.

Have I been Overcharged by a Locksmith?

If you have been landed with locksmith charges on the final bill which are much higher than you were originally quoted, then you have been overcharged.

On the other hand if you have agreed a price and the locksmith does the job in seconds and you decide it is not worth the amount you agreed, then you have not been over charged. If a locksmith carries out a job quickly and efficiently then you are paying for their skill and experience and not their time. There is great value in having the job completed quickly so that you can get back to your day. You can read more here about customers thinking they are being overcharged by a locksmith when access is gained quickly.

At IKS we are experienced MLA approved locksmiths and property security specialists based in North London. If there are any questions we haven’t answered here let us know and we will add the answer to this post. Follow us on social media for more advice on locksmiths’ costs and general security tips and advice in our security blog.

This post was updated in April 2020.