How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in the UK?
A locksmith in the UK typically charges £60–£120 per hour, with an emergency lockout call-out costing £70–£150 plus any parts.
Updated June 2026 · Typical UK ranges · Methodology below
Quick answer
A locksmith in the UK typically charges £60–£120 per hour, with a call-out / emergency fee of £50–£100. These are typical ranges — your actual quote depends on region, job complexity, time of day, materials, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. Always get an itemised quote first.
Typical 2026 Locksmith Costs
| Job | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Emergency lockout (gain entry) | £70–£150 |
| Standard hourly rate | £60–£120 |
| Change a standard lock | £80–£200 |
| Replace uPVC door mechanism | £120–£250 |
| Upgrade to anti-snap cylinder | £70–£150 |
| Rekey / change after moving in | £100–£300 |
What Affects a Locksmith’s Price?
Emergency vs planned. A 2am lockout costs more than a planned lock change booked for daytime. If you are safe, waiting until morning is cheaper.
Lock type. A simple cylinder swap is quick; a full uPVC multipoint mechanism or a high-security insurance-grade lock costs more in both parts and labour.
Parts. The lock or cylinder itself is billed on top of labour — anti-snap, British Standard, and smart locks cost more.
Use a vetted locksmith. Locksmiths are unregulated in the UK, so check membership of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and beware inflated “national” call-out lines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a locksmith cost to get into a house?
An emergency locksmith call-out to gain entry typically costs £70–£150, higher out of hours, plus the cost of any lock that has to be replaced. If you are locked out but safe, booking for daytime is cheaper.
How much to change the locks after moving house?
Changing the locks when you move in typically costs £100–£300 for the property, depending on how many doors and what type of locks you choose. It is a sensible first job — you never know who still holds an old key.
How we work out these figures
Figures are typical 2026 UK price ranges, not a single measured GeraHome price. They are compiled from publicly published UK tradesperson rate surveys and standard hourly/day-rate conventions, then expressed as a low–to–high band because real quotes vary with region, job complexity, access, materials, time of day, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. London and the South East typically run 20–40% above the national average; the North, Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland typically sit below it. Always get an upfront, itemised quote before work begins.
These are typical ranges, not a single GeraHome-measured price. We publish honest bands rather than invent a precise per-city number we do not have.
Hiring guides
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Find a LocksmithRelated from Gera
- All UK trade cost guides
- How to find a trusted tradesperson
- UK home care provider directory — real CQC-registered counts by local authority.
- Gera Action Warranty — how eligible GeraHome bookings are protected.