How much does a locksmith cost?

The locksmith costs in this article are correct as of 2022

Whether you’re trapped on your doorstep in the middle of the night, or want to update the old locks on the now house you’ve bought, locksmiths are vital for ensuring the security of our homes and giving us peace of mind.

If you’re not sure about the kind of costs you might encounter hiring a locksmith, we’ve put together this kind on how much locksmiths cost, to help give you some idea of what’s involved.

Locksmith hourly rates

Locksmiths may charge an hourly rate for their services, particularly if the job is an emergency call out, or they may charge a set fee for a particular job, which is more common if the job is planned in advance with a clear idea of what is needed.

In both cases, the full cost will depend on a number of factors, such as the time of the callout, the particular issue, such as a key stuck in a lock or a broken cylinder, and the type and number of locks involved.

We’ve broken down some of the most common scenarios to try and give a good idea of how much a locksmith costs.

Lock replacement costs

If you wish to have all the locks in your home replaced and updated, either because you’ve noticed some faults, or because you wish to improve your home security, then the cost involved will depend on the quality of locks you wish to install and how many door and window locks you want to be replaced.

Typically, the price for replacing the locks in a home with two exterior doors and multiple windows would cost somewhere between £250 and £500.

Emergency locksmith prices

If you are locked out and contact a locksmith, the central cost will the labour involved and the length of time it takes for the locksmith to perform the job.

Hourly rates will vary depending on when the callout happens, and will be more if they occur outside of traditional working hours.

24 hour Locksmith prices

A typical hourly rate for a locksmith during normal hours (essentially Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), will usually be around £40 to £90, depending on where you live, with higher costs more common in London and other large cities.

Callouts during the evening, at night, over the weekends and on holidays will usually be more, and can often be twice the price of a regular callout fee.

Fees such as parking or the London congestion charge may also be passed onto you if incurred.

The other key cost depends on the situation. For example, if a key is stuck and can be removed by the locksmith, there may be no material costs involved. The same is true if you have lost your keys and simply need the locksmith to open the door.

However, if the locksmith has to replace the cylinder of a lock on a uPVC door, this can cost between £30 and £70 depending on the make and quality of the lock.

Replacing a mortice lock is priced similarly, however, replacing the entire locking mechanism for any type of lock will be more expensive still. 

If you are unlucky enough to have experienced a break-in, and the locksmith needs to board up the damaged entry-point, this can cost around £200.