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How much does a locksmith cost?

Some locksmiths charge hundreds of pounds to open a door. But what is reasonable?

According to trade association NSSG, opening a door during the day without a safety strip on the frame may not cost more than £120, including VAT. A surcharge of 50% is customary for the evening.

A new cylinder does not have to cost more than £25 to about £40 excl. VAT. The costs depend on the situation and the door. The more secure the door is, the higher the costs.

Almost all doors closed can be opened without damage, even if there is a safety strip on the frame. Usually, replacing a cylinder is not necessary at all.


There are locks in different types, sizes, and brands, and therefore, the costs for replacing locks run out of one. Depending on various elements, such as replacing only the cylinder in the safety or the entire accessories, you can count on an average price for one lock between £75 and £390. Having several keys made and a new wave will affect the locksmith's total costs if you want to have several keys made.

In the table below, you will find the costs for replacing the locks. The price depends on the type of lock you choose.

Replacing locksCosts incl installation
Cylinder lock SKG ¹ £75
Pen slot £90
Lock with a multi-point lock£290
Cylinder lock SKG ³

£130

The schedule prices are indicative and may differ from the final lock replacement proposal prices.

It is advisable to replace your front or back door locks when you have just moved. After all, you don't know who still has an old key to your door. In other cases, it may be necessary to replace your locks because the keys have been broken into or you have lost the keys.

Whatever the reason for replacing the locks, we recommend that you have this always done by a recognized locksmith. Safety is an essential part of accessing your house, and you don't want a stranger to enter suddenly. Moreover, installing a new lock is an assignment that requires professionalism and trustworthiness. You can count on this with a trained locksmith. These professionals ensure that you can leave your home with peace of mind.

Several aspects determine the costs of replacing your locks. Think of the type of lock, extra keys, and whether it concerns an urgent job or not. In case of urgency, a different price is used. Below we give you a clear overview of the indicators determining the cost of replacing your locks.

There is no standard rate for making or replacing your lock. Every locksmith uses his rate. This rate is partly determined by the number of kilometers he has to drive before he is at the destination. Also, time plays a significant role. For example, if a locksmith has to visit you at 4:00 am, you pay a higher price than at 2:00 pm during the day.

This point is in line with the above. When you have locked yourself out and need to get back in quickly, you can assume that your assignment's costs will also be higher. Especially for you, the locksmith changes his schedule. You pay more for this. Therefore, check carefully whether it is necessary to replace the lock immediately or whether it can wait a few days. 

From inset locks and side locks to rim locks and locks with a multi-point lock, you can choose many different locks. The price of the locks depends on the type of lock you choose. It is essential to consider what the primary purpose of the lock is. For extra security, you can select an additional lock or a lock with a multi-point lock.

But you can also choose a pin lock or a cylinder lock. As the name suggests, you insert a pen in a pen lock. This type mainly serves as an extra lock. A cylinder lock contains a profile cylinder that you can operate with the key. Thanks to the pins, plates, or balls, the cylinder blocks when a wrong key is inserted.

Locksmith servicePrice service per slot
Replace cylinder£60- £75
Replace keyboard lock£60- £110
Replace pen lock£75- £100
Reorder key£15- £30
Replace multi-point lock£290


The costs for replacing your locks depend on the scope of the procedure. If you only have the cylinder of your security lock replaced, the costs are lower than if the complete lock case has to be replaced. The type of lock also plays a role in the price. A single lock can be replaced more quickly than a multi-point lock. In the latter case, the new lock must have the exact dimensions as the old one. When you have the complete lock replaced, pay close attention to the door's width and the lock's shield width. 

When you have an excellent new lock in your front and back door, and you want to order extra keys for your husband, wife, or children, the following applies: the more keys, the higher the price. The costs for having access made for an SKG * lock can easily cost.

A locksmith can be engaged in various jobs. Also, the price per locksmith differs. On average, a locksmith asks for the following positions:

● Opening door: £60to £80pounds
● Replace lock: £80to £100pounds
● Repair of burglary damage: £80to £110pounds
● Replace letterbox lock: £110 to £125pounds

In this article, we tell you all the cost prices of a locksmith to you. After reading this article, we hope you know all the information you want to know about cost and all the valuable tips and choices of buying a locksmith.