Before you start looking at what a locksmith should cost it’s important to understand the variables that will affect the price you are going to pay.
Your Location
It’s hard to expect that the rate of locksmith would be similar in different locations. Locksmith prices in big cities would be generally higher than those that are of locksmiths in small suburbs. Even between big cities the cost may be very different. Locksmith prices in London for example would be significantly different than those you’ll pay in Manchester. Whether it’s for the cost of living in those areas or just the status quo that has been created due to the competition the market has set this is a fact and you should always look for those companies that their prices seem reasonable to be charged at your area.
The Type of Service You Require
In the same way that the rate of hiring a large building contractor to perform a replacement of a single door in your kitchen’s wardrobe would be different than hiring an independent handyman to do the same job; any service that you require for your doors, locks or home security should be addressed to the right tradesperson.
Here is a list of security services providers and what services you should contact them about:
Locksmith
– Any requirements that are related with your locks and doors. That’s including appearance and security accessories for the door area.
– Burglary Repairs – Not all locksmiths provide boarding up and services to cover the repair of burglaries but some of them are the ones who’d normally do.
Find A Local Locksmith.
Auto Locksmith
An auto locksmith you should contact for any issues regarding your car or vehicle’s locking system. Whether you have a problem with your keys, lost the keys, need keys re programed or have any fault with the ignition; Auto locksmith is the person to reach out to.
Find Local Auto Locksmiths.
Safes Engineers
The opening and fitting of safes is usually best handles by safes specialists. Also known as safes engineers.
Find Local safes engineers.
Glaziers
Glaziers deals mainly with the replacement of glass. People sometime tends to confuse the work of locksmiths and glaziers. So they occasionally contact a glazier about a job that they should refer to a locksmith and the other way around. When a glass has been broken in one of your doors or windows this is a job for a glazier. If any other part of the door or window is damaged, you may also require the help of a locksmith. Many glaziers do not work 24 hours and therefore in some occasions (especially at emergency out of hour burglaries), a locksmith is who you should call to get your property secured for the night.
Find Local Glaziers.
Home Security Companies
Installation of CCTV, Alarms and Access Control. Some of these company would also offer the supply and installation of security grilles & gates.
Find Local Security Company.
Locksmith prices in different parts of the UK
Below are the prices you can expect to pay when hiring locksmiths in some parts of the UK.
London
The Service | Day Time Tariff | Night time Tariff |
Unlock Door, Locks – Standard. | £60 | £75 |
Unlock Door, Locks – Enhanced. | £80 | £100 |
Lock Change + Standard Cylinder. | £85 | £120 |
Lock Change + High Security Lock. | From £100 | From £130 |
5 lever BS3621 Mortice Deadlock Replacement Standard. | £100 | £130 |
New Lock Installation + Lock. | From £110 | N/A |
Front Door installation / Replacement + Door. | From £500 | N/A |
Burglary Repair. | From £80 | From £120 |
Small Safe Opening. | £85 | £120 |
Remove a Bike lock | £60 | £75 |
Security Door Gate Installation. | From £550 | N/A |
Security Alarm Installation. | From £500 | N/A |
CCTV Installation . | From £400 | N/A |
Cities outside of London – Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Similar Areas
The Service | Day Time Tariff | Night time Tariff |
Unlock Door, Locks – Standard. | £40 | £65 |
Unlock Door, Locks – Enhanced. | £65 | £85 |
Lock Change + Standard Cylinder. | £60 | £85 |
Lock Change + High Security Lock. | From £80 | From £100 |
5 lever BS3621 Mortice Deadlock Replacement Standard. | £85 | £110 |
New Lock Installation + Lock. | From £95 | N/A |
Front Door installation / Replacement + Door. | From £500 | N/A |
Burglary Repair. | From £70 | From £100 |
Small Safe Opening. | £80 | £120 |
Remove a Bike lock. | £50 | £70 |
Security Door Gate Installation. | From £550 | N/A |
Security Alarm Installation. | From £500 | N/A |
CCTV Installation. | From £400 | N/A |
Notes about the prices
- Depends on the company you choose the prices could be inclusive or exclusive of VAT. Please note however that if prices are exclusive of VAT this would normally mean the provider is an independent locksmith or a small company. This could also reflect on different advantages and disadvantages worth taking into account when choosing your locksmith. An independent locksmith as an instance would have a limited availability to provide the service at any time of the day or cover any location, etc.
- It’s also important to note that the prices mentioned are bulk figures. Every locksmith and security service could have different variants that would have impact of the final cost of a job. Verify those in advance with the locksmith before you let them start working on any of your projects.
- Due to noise regulation installation of all security devices are only applicable during day times. At an emergency a burglary repair or temporary lock fitting would usually be available as an emergency solution.
Other factors that can have an impact on your locksmith cost
- National locksmith Vs Local Locksmith – The prices that will be charged by a national locksmith company that need to sponsor a large business structure are likely to be different than those charged by an independent locksmith that only works local. There are exceptions to this and some local locksmiths feel they have to charge more in order to achieve the life style they aim for, but as a rule of thumb an independent local locksmith that you can find walking down your street would normally charge less than a big company. Having said that, if you’re trying to save on cost and plan to go find a locksmith on the streets near you, make sure that the locksmith is the individual to come and do the job. Otherwise it would probably cost just as any other company you’ll pull out of the internet.
- 24 hour or not – The fact that a locksmith provide 24 hour services could go either way when it comes to their rates. It could mean that because they operate 24 hours they would charge you more but also that for the same reason they’d charge less. This is due to that although running a 24 hour operation costs more; 24 hour locksmiths usually also earn more so they can allow their prices to be lower than average. At night time the costs however become pretty standard between all 24 hour locksmiths. So only if you need a locksmith service during day time, it may worth putting some efforts to make the distinction between 24 hour locksmiths and those who only provide services during the day times. If you can find an old school local locksmith that works 9-5 and look to “just” make a living than their prices are likely to be the most cost effective. Since the beginning of internet marketing however these locksmith shops owned by local owners are less and less common in the larger cities’ scenery.