A genuine 24-hour locksmith service should give you more than a phone answered at night. Before you book, confirm who the business is, what the likely price covers, who will attend, the estimated arrival time, whether the locksmith works directly for the company and what will happen if the lock cannot be opened without replacement.
At Swift Locksmiths, we provide 24/7 emergency locksmith services around Epsom and surrounding areas. Our current website says we aim to reach emergency customers within 30 to 60 minutes, subject to location, traffic and workload, and we focus on homes and businesses rather than automotive locksmithing.
This updated guide explains what to know before making an emergency call in 2026, including pricing questions, response times, authority checks, drilling, uPVC faults, scam warning signs and what information helps the locksmith prepare.
Originally published: 30th April 2024 | Last updated: 1st September 2026
24-Hour Locksmith: Before You Call
- Confirm the business identity and local contact details.
- Ask whether there is a call-out fee and what the estimate includes.
- Describe the door, lock and symptoms accurately.
- Ask for an estimated arrival range rather than an unrealistic guarantee.
- Expect reasonable checks that you are entitled to access the property.
- Ask to be told before destructive entry or replacement work starts.
What Does “24-Hour Locksmith” Actually Mean?
It should mean the business can accept and respond to locksmith emergencies outside normal office hours, including nights, weekends and bank holidays. The scope still varies. One company may handle homes and businesses; another may specialise in vehicles; another may not stock certain specialist commercial parts overnight.
Swift's current service scope is domestic and commercial locksmithing, lockouts, lock replacement, uPVC door and window repair, lost keys, burglary repair and related security work. We do not offer auto locksmith services.
| Question | Why it matters | Example of a useful answer |
|---|---|---|
| How soon can you attend? | Helps you plan safely | A realistic arrival range based on current location and workload |
| What is the likely price? | Reduces surprise and pressure | Estimate with call-out, labour, parts and out-of-hours variables explained |
| Who is attending? | Confirms accountability | Named company/engineer details where available |
| Will you drill the lock? | Clarifies method | Only if necessary after assessment, with explanation |
| What if the fault is a gearbox? | Sets expectation for complex uPVC work | Explains that on-site diagnosis may change parts and price |
| What payment and invoice do I receive? | Creates a record | Clear accepted payment methods and itemised business invoice |
How Fast Should a Locksmith Arrive?
Arrival depends on distance, traffic, weather, current jobs and whether another emergency is already being handled. Swift currently states an aim of 30 to 60 minutes for emergencies. That is an operational target, not a promise that ignores geography or road conditions.
Be cautious of anyone who gives an implausibly precise arrival time before asking where you are. A professional estimate should be realistic and updated if circumstances change.
What Information Should You Give?
Tell the locksmith your location, whether the property is a home or business, the door type if known, whether you have the key, whether the door is open or locked shut and what happened immediately before the fault. If the handle is stiff, the key turns halfway or the door has burglary damage, say so.
A clear photo of the outside and inside handle or lock can sometimes help identify the likely system, although diagnosis still needs to be confirmed on site.
How Emergency Pricing Works
There is no single statutory UK locksmith tariff. Cost depends on attendance time, travel, lock type, fault, parts and whether the door is locked shut. Out-of-hours work can cost more because the service is being provided when normal scheduled labour is unavailable.
Ask whether the quoted figure includes attendance and labour, whether parts are extra and what could change the price. A low headline figure is not useful unless you know the full scope.
Beware Bait-and-Switch Pricing
The MLA continues to warn about adverts using very low figures such as £49, £59 or £69 before the final price increases dramatically after arrival. Save screenshots of adverts and written estimates if you are booking in an emergency.
A legitimate price can change when the diagnosis changes, but that should be explained before the extra work proceeds.
Emergency Does Not Mean No Questions
You can still ask what you are authorising. If the locksmith proposes drilling, a new mechanism or a large price increase, ask why and what alternatives exist before work begins where the situation allows.
Will the Locksmith Need Proof You Live There?
They need a reasonable basis for believing you are entitled to access the property. That can be awkward when your wallet is locked inside, so explain the situation on the phone. The exact verification method will depend on the property and circumstances.
For businesses, an employee may need authorisation from a manager, landlord or facilities contact if their authority to alter the lock is unclear.
Non-Destructive Entry and Drilling
Many lockouts can be resolved without major damage, but not all. A failed internal mechanism, certain high-security locks or previous damage can make replacement necessary. The locksmith should choose a method appropriate to the lock and explain when destructive work is justified.
“Non-destructive” is not a magic promise for every door. It is a preference for suitable methods where the lock and circumstances allow.
uPVC Emergencies Are Often More Than a Cylinder
A uPVC door may fail because of the gearbox, multipoint strip, handle, cylinder or alignment. If the key turns but the door does not open, changing the cylinder automatically may be the wrong repair. Our uPVC and emergency locksmith services assess the whole mechanism.
If the door is becoming stiff before failure, call early. Preventative adjustment can be simpler than opening a mechanism that has jammed shut.
What Happens After a Burglary?
An emergency locksmith can help restore a secure boundary after forced entry. The first repair may be temporary if the frame or door needs specialist replacement. Preserve evidence where appropriate and follow police or insurer instructions before removing damaged components.
The permanent repair should address the attack route rather than simply replacing the same vulnerable part.
Safety While You Wait
If you are locked out at night, wait somewhere safe and well lit if possible. Do not climb to upper windows, force doors or attempt risky improvised entry. If a child, vulnerable person, fire, gas leak or immediate threat is inside, contact the appropriate emergency service rather than treating it as an ordinary locksmith wait.
How to Prepare Before You Ever Need a Locksmith
Emergency Preparation
- Save the number of a verified local locksmith.
- Keep landlord or managing-agent details accessible.
- Know whether your main door is timber, uPVC or composite.
- Have a secure spare-key plan that does not involve obvious hiding places.
- Address stiff locks before they fail.
- Keep business key registers and emergency contacts current.
- Photograph important locks or door labels for maintenance records.
- Know which person can authorise emergency work at a commercial site.
Choosing a 24-Hour Provider
Check more than the advert. Look for a consistent business identity, local contact details, credible reviews, clear service scope and transparent pricing. There is no universal locksmith licence, so vague “licensed” claims should be verified rather than accepted automatically.
Read about our independent local business or contact Swift Locksmiths before an emergency if you want a trusted number saved in advance.
Sources and References
Source: Swift Locksmiths website, current 24/7 emergency service, service scope and 30–60 minute emergency response aim, accessed September 2026.
Source: Master Locksmiths Association, current bait-and-switch and rogue locksmith consumer guidance, accessed September 2026.
Source: Security Industry Authority, GOV.UK current licence categories and application guidance, updated June 2026.
Not Every Night-Time Call Needs the Most Expensive Permanent Repair
Sometimes the immediate objective is to make the property secure and restore safe access, with a specialist or non-stock replacement arranged later. This is particularly relevant to unusual commercial hardware or obsolete multipoint parts that may not be available overnight. A professional should explain whether the proposed work is temporary or permanent.
That distinction helps customers make a proportionate decision. Emergency attendance should solve the immediate security problem without using urgency as a reason to fit an unsuitable part simply because it is available in the van.
Need an Emergency Locksmith Now?
Call Swift Locksmiths on 01372 632 073 for 24/7 domestic or commercial locksmith assistance.
Contact Swift Locksmiths or call 01372 632 073.