How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in London?
A lockout in London starts at £99 during the day and £125 at night. A lock change starts at £109. Here is the full breakdown — and what to watch out for.
## The short answer
Lockout: from £99 (day) or £125 (night). Lock change: from £109 plus the cost of the lock. UPVC gearbox: from £149. Safe opening: from £149.
These are starting prices. The final price depends on the lock type, time of call, and whether parts are needed. Any legitimate locksmith will confirm the price before travelling.
Emergency lockout prices in London
A straightforward lockout — where the engineer can pick or manipulate the cylinder without damage — starts at £99 during the day (7am to 11pm). Night-rate jobs (11pm to 7am), weekends, and bank holidays start at £125.
More complex locks take longer and cost more. A Banham lock, for example, is a specialist job and will cost more than a standard Yale or euro cylinder. If you know what lock you have, tell the locksmith when you call — they can give you a better estimate.
Non-destructive entry is the goal. If the lock needs to be drilled, the engineer should tell you before starting and quote the cost of a replacement at the same time.
Lock change prices
Labour for a standard lock change starts at £109. The lock itself is quoted separately.
- Standard euro cylinder (no security rating): £25–£40 - TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder: £40–£60 - BS3621 5-lever mortice lock: £50–£90 - High-security cylinder (Mul-T-Lock, Ultion, Banham): £70–£140+
A front door that needs a new BS3621 deadlock and a new anti-snap euro cylinder will typically cost £200–£280 all in, including labour and parts.
UPVC door repair prices
UPVC door repairs cover gearboxes, handles, cylinders, and the mechanism itself.
- Cylinder replacement: from £99 (labour) plus the cylinder - Gearbox replacement: from £149 all in for common brands - Full multi-point mechanism: £180–£280 depending on brand - Handle replacement: £109 including parts
Most gearbox and handle jobs take 45–90 minutes on the first visit.
The rogue locksmith pricing trap
Search "locksmith near me" and many of the top results advertise £39 or £49. That is almost always just the call-out fee. The engineer arrives, looks at the lock, and quotes the real price — often £200–£400.
Which?, the consumer group, found that 84% of rogue locksmith complaints involved misleading pricing. By the time the engineer is at your door and you are locked out, you have very little negotiating room.
The fix is simple: ask for a full price on the phone, including all labour and the most likely parts. A legitimate locksmith will give you a range. If they will not, call someone else.
When not to call a locksmith
If you are insured and your policy includes home emergency cover, call your insurer first. The locksmith is often covered at no extra cost. Check your policy documents before paying out of pocket.