Residential locksmith prices in the UK vary by job, lock type, time of day, location and whether replacement parts are needed. Current 2026 national guide figures are useful for budgeting, but they are not a Swift Locksmiths price list and they should never replace a quote for the actual door and fault.
At Swift Locksmiths, we prefer transparent diagnosis and scope. A straightforward daytime cylinder replacement is a different job from an out-of-hours lockout involving a failed multipoint gearbox. The customer should understand what the quoted price includes before work starts and what could make it change.
This updated guide uses current May 2026 Checkatrade figures as national market context, explains the factors behind the final bill and shows what questions to ask so you can compare locksmith quotes fairly.
Originally published: 21st February 2024 | Last updated: 1st September 2026
UK Locksmith Prices in 2026: The Short Answer
- Standard daytime hourly guide: around £65 per hour in Checkatrade’s May 2026 national guide.
- Regain entry guide: roughly £90–£130, with an average of £110 in the same guide.
- Standard uPVC lock change: roughly £100–£150, average £125.
- Anti-snap uPVC lock change: roughly £125–£175, average £150.
- Mortice lock replacement: roughly £115–£165, average £140.
- Out-of-hours call-out guide: roughly £50–£150 before other labour or parts may be added.
These Are Published National Guide Figures, Not Our Fixed Prices
Every property, lock and fault is different. Epsom and South East pricing can also differ from national averages. Always ask for the actual scope and quote for your job.
| Job | Low guide | High guide | Published average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regain entry to a property | £90 | £130 | £110 |
| Change standard uPVC lock | £100 | £150 | £125 |
| Change anti-snap uPVC lock | £125 | £175 | £150 |
| Change a Yale-type lock | £90 | £120 | £100 |
| Replace mortice lock | £115 | £165 | £140 |
| Out-of-hours call-out fee | £50 | £150 | £100 |
Why Locksmith Prices Vary So Much
A locksmith is not pricing a single commodity. The same symptom can have several causes. “My key will not turn” might be a worn cylinder, a damaged key, a dropped door or a failing gearbox. Labour time, replacement parts and urgency can therefore change dramatically after diagnosis.
Location matters too. Current Checkatrade data shows regional variation, with London and parts of the South East often higher than some other areas. Travel, parking, call-out time and stock availability can all influence local pricing.
1. Lockout and Regain-Entry Costs
Current published guide figures put regain entry around £90 to £130, averaging £110. That can be a useful budgeting range for a straightforward property lockout, but it does not mean every lockout costs that amount. A failed multipoint mechanism, damaged lock, unusual security hardware or out-of-hours attendance can change the work substantially.
Ask whether the price includes attendance and labour only, whether replacement parts are extra and what happens if the initial diagnosis changes.
2. uPVC Lock Replacement Costs
The same 2026 guide lists a standard uPVC lock change around £100 to £150 and an anti-snap uPVC lock change around £125 to £175. The word “lock” is imprecise here because a uPVC door can involve the euro cylinder, handle set, gearbox and full multipoint strip. Replacing a cylinder is not the same as replacing a failed mechanism.
Our uPVC door and lock services start by identifying which component has failed so the quote matches the repair actually needed.
3. Mortice and Night Latch Costs
For traditional timber doors, current guide prices put mortice lock replacement around £115 to £165, with a published average of £140. Yale-type night-latch changes are listed around £90 to £120. Door preparation can alter the labour if the replacement case is not a direct fit or the timber around the lock needs repair.
4. Emergency and Out-of-Hours Premiums
Emergency attendance usually costs more because the locksmith is being asked to respond outside planned working hours and often with limited information about the fault. Checkatrade's May 2026 guide lists out-of-hours call-out fees around £50 to £150 and emergency hourly rates around £80 to £200.
Those figures are market context. A reputable provider should explain whether the call-out is a separate fee, whether a minimum labour charge applies and how parts are priced.
5. Parts Can Cost More Than Labour
High-security cylinders, obsolete multipoint components, commercial hardware and specialist mechanisms can make parts the largest part of a bill. Conversely, some alignment repairs may involve more labour and little or no replacement hardware. This is why “hourly rate” alone is a poor way to compare locksmiths.
Ask for the make or security specification of important replacement parts and keep the invoice. That record is useful if the door needs future service or if you need to explain a lock upgrade to an insurer.
6. Repair Versus Replacement
A lower-cost repair is worthwhile when it restores reliable operation and security. But repeatedly adjusting a worn component can be false economy. The locksmith should explain why a part can be retained or why replacement is more sensible, especially with older uPVC gearboxes and worn cylinders.
Good Value Is Not the Same as the Lowest Call-Out Price
The best outcome is a correctly diagnosed, secure repair with clear pricing and no unnecessary damage. A very low headline figure is not helpful if the final bill is built from unexpected extras.
What Should Be Included in a Quote?
Ask These Questions
- Is there a call-out or attendance fee?
- Is labour charged by the hour, by the job or with a minimum charge?
- Are replacement parts included in the estimate?
- Will VAT be added where applicable?
- What could make the price change after inspection?
- Is emergency or out-of-hours pricing different?
- What specification of replacement lock or cylinder will be fitted?
- Will I receive an invoice or written record of the work?
Be Cautious With Unrealistically Low Advertised Prices
The locksmith trade does not have a government licensing scheme that sets prices. Current Checkatrade guidance itself warns that emergency locksmiths can charge very different amounts. That makes transparent quoting, a real local business identity, reviews and clear contact details especially important.
Do not feel pressured to approve extra work you do not understand. Ask why drilling, replacement or a higher-security part is needed and what alternatives exist.
How to Reduce the Chance of an Emergency Bill
Stiff handles, keys that need wiggling and doors that only lock when lifted are early warning signs. Planned maintenance during normal hours can be cheaper and less disruptive than a midnight failure. Keep a spare key with a trusted person and record the details of a local locksmith before you need one.
How We Recommend Comparing Quotes
Compare the complete scope, not just the first number. One quote may include a tested security cylinder and labour; another may be attendance only. Ask whether the proposed part is appropriate for the door and whether the work addresses the underlying fault.
You can contact Swift Locksmiths for a quote based on your actual problem, or learn about our local independent service.
Final Price Guidance
The current national figures are most useful as a sense check. They show that planned daytime work, emergency access and higher-security replacements occupy different price ranges. The correct price for your property still depends on diagnosis, location, timing and parts.
Sources and References
Source: Checkatrade, Locksmith prices in the UK in 2026, updated May 2026. Published figures are ballpark national guides and are not Swift Locksmiths prices.
Source: Checkatrade, emergency locksmith guidance, updated May 2026.
Want a Quote for Your Actual Lock or Door Fault?
Tell us the door type, symptoms and urgency so we can explain the likely work and pricing more accurately than a national average.
Contact Swift Locksmiths or call 01372 632 073.