How Much Does It Cost to Change Locks in the UK?

The cost to change locks depends mainly on the type of lock, how many doors you need doing, the security grade you choose and when the work happens. At Locksmith24, a lock replacement in London typically costs £120 to £200 including parts and labour, and you get a firm price before any work starts.

Key takeaways

• Lock type matters most: a euro cylinder swap is usually quicker and simpler than replacing a mortice deadlock or a uPVC multipoint mechanism.
• Locksmith24 lock replacements typically cost £120 to £200 including parts and labour, for a BS3621 deadlock or a high-security euro cylinder.
• An anti-snap cylinder (TS007 3-star or SS312 Diamond) costs more than a basic one, but it is the right choice for a front door.
• A booked daytime appointment generally costs less than an emergency or out-of-hours visit.
• Always agree a firm, all-in price before the locksmith touches the door.

What affects the cost of changing locks?

There is no single price for a lock change because no two doors are the same. When we quote over the phone, these are the questions we ask, and each one moves the price up or down.

1. The type of lock on the door

Most London homes have one or more of these four lock types:

• Euro cylinder: the barrel-shaped lock found on most uPVC, composite and many aluminium doors. Usually only the cylinder needs changing, which is a relatively quick job.
• Mortice deadlock: the lock set into the edge of a timber door and locked with a key from both sides. Changing it means fitting a new lock case, and sometimes adjusting the timber if the new lock is a different size.
• Nightlatch: the surface-mounted latch on many timber front doors, often paired with a mortice deadlock lower down.
• uPVC multipoint lock: the long mechanism that throws hooks, rollers or bolts along the edge of the door when you lift the handle. If you only need new keys, the cylinder can be changed on its own. If the gearbox has failed, the mechanism itself has to be replaced, which is a bigger job.

2. The number of doors and locks

Changing one cylinder on one door is the simplest job. A typical London house might have a front door with a nightlatch and a mortice deadlock, a back door with a multipoint lock, and perhaps patio or garage doors as well. Each lock adds parts and time, although doing several on the same visit is usually better value than booking separate appointments. If you would like every door to work from one key, ask about keyed-alike cylinders, which are supplied as a matched set.

3. Standard versus high-security locks

A basic cylinder and a high-security one can look identical from the outside, yet behave very differently under attack. For euro cylinders, look for the TS007 Kitemark. A 3-star cylinder has been tested on its own against snapping, drilling, picking and bumping, while a 1-star cylinder needs to be paired with 2-star security handles to reach the same overall rating. Sold Secure SS312 Diamond is another respected grade for anti-snap cylinders. For mortice deadlocks and nightlatches on timber doors, the standard to look for is BS3621, which many home insurers ask for on final exit doors. Better graded parts cost more, but on the door a burglar is most likely to try, they are money well spent.

4. Time of day and urgency

A booked lock change during normal working hours is usually the most economical option. Emergency jobs late at night, at weekends or on bank holidays generally cost more across the industry because the engineer is working unsocial hours. Locksmith24 does not charge a separate call-out fee, although out-of-hours visits may carry an extra charge, and we tell you what that is before we set off.

5. The condition of the door

Sometimes the lock is not the real problem. A dropped uPVC door, a swollen timber door or a misaligned keep can make even a brand new lock stiff and unreliable. Correcting the alignment adds a little time, but skipping it often means the new lock wears out early. If your uPVC door is hard to lock or the handle feels heavy, take a look at our uPVC door repair service, because an adjustment may be needed alongside the new cylinder.

What a lock change costs with Locksmith24

We publish our typical prices so you know roughly what to expect before you pick up the phone. You can see the full breakdown on our locksmith prices page.

Every job comes with a firm price before work starts and a 180-day parts and labour guarantee, and all our engineers are DBS-checked.

Cylinder swap or full lock replacement?

This decision makes the biggest difference to the bill, and it is also where some customers get oversold.

When a cylinder swap is enough

On most uPVC and composite doors, the key turns a euro cylinder that sits inside the multipoint mechanism. If the lock works smoothly and you simply want different keys (after moving house, losing a set of keys or a tenant leaving), changing the cylinder is all you need. You get new keys and, if you choose an anti-snap model, a genuine security upgrade at the same time.

When the whole lock needs replacing

A full replacement makes sense when:

• the handle drops, spins or will not lift the mechanism,
• the key turns but the door will not lock, which often points to a failed gearbox,
• a mortice deadlock is old, worn or not BS3621 rated and your insurer requires one,
• the lock was damaged in a break-in or a forced entry,
• a nightlatch has no deadlocking function and you want better protection.

A good locksmith will tell you honestly which of the two you need. If someone insists on replacing a full multipoint mechanism when the lock works perfectly and all you want is new keys, ask them to explain why.

Changing locks when you move house

We always recommend changing the locks when you move into a new home. You have no way of knowing how many keys the previous owners gave to family, cleaners, builders or neighbours over the years. Changing the cylinders or locks on every external door on moving day, or as soon after as you can, means you know exactly who holds a key.

It is also a good moment to check your home insurance. Many policies set minimum lock standards for external doors, so read the small print and make sure what you fit meets it. If you arrive at a new property and the keys have gone missing, our lost keys service can get you in and change the locks on the same visit.

Landlords and tenants: who can change the locks?

This comes up a lot, and the honest answer is that it depends on your tenancy agreement. The points below are general guidance, not legal advice:

• Landlords are wise to change the locks between tenancies, so former tenants (or anyone they lent keys to) cannot get back in. It protects the new tenant and the property.
• Tenants should read their tenancy agreement before changing any locks. Many agreements require the landlord's permission first, and often a copy of the new key for the landlord or letting agent. Changing locks against the terms of the agreement can lead to disputes, including over the deposit.
• Landlords should not change the locks on a tenant who still lives in the property as a way of forcing them out. Ending a tenancy has to follow the proper legal process.

If in doubt, get agreement in writing before booking the work. Letting agents and landlords with several properties can use our locksmith services for businesses and landlords to handle lock changes between tenancies.

Can you change a lock yourself?

Swapping a euro cylinder is one of the few lock jobs a confident DIYer can tackle. With the door open, you remove the retaining screw on the edge of the door, insert the key, turn it slightly so the cam lines up with the body of the cylinder, and slide the cylinder out. The new one goes back in the same way.

The catch is sizing and quality. Euro cylinders come in many lengths and offsets, measured from the centre retaining screw to each end, and getting it wrong matters. A cylinder that sticks out well beyond the handle is exactly what burglars look for when snapping a lock, so it should sit close to flush with the handle or escutcheon. Cheap unbranded cylinders sold online may also carry no recognised security rating at all.

We would not recommend DIY for:

• mortice deadlocks, where the timber may need recutting,
• multipoint gearbox replacements, which need the correct make and measurements,
• any door that already sticks or is hard to lock,
• doors where your insurer requires a specific standard to be fitted.

Paying a professional for a short job can feel unnecessary, but you get correctly sized and rated parts, a door that is checked and adjusted, and a guarantee if anything goes wrong.

How to avoid overpaying for a lock change

1. Get a firm price on the phone. Describe the door and the lock (a photo helps) and ask for a total that includes parts, labour and any extras.
2. Be wary of very low "from" prices. An advertised price far below everyone else's often grows once the locksmith is standing at your door.
3. Ask which brand and grade of lock will be fitted. "High security" means little without a standard such as TS007 3-star, SS312 Diamond or BS3621.
4. Book ahead if it is not urgent. Daytime appointments generally cost less than emergency or out-of-hours visits.
5. Do several locks at once. Combining jobs on one visit is usually better value.
6. Ask about the guarantee. A reputable locksmith stands behind both the parts and the labour.
7. Check who is actually coming. A real business name and vetted engineers matter more than the cheapest headline price.

When a lock change cannot wait

If you have been burgled, your keys were stolen along with something showing your address, or a lock has failed and you cannot secure the door, do not wait for a convenient appointment. Our 24-hour emergency locksmith service typically arrives within 20 to 30 minutes across London, and we can secure the property and replace damaged locks on the same visit.

Get a firm quote for your lock change

Whether you are moving in, letting out a property or simply want stronger locks on your front door, call Locksmith24 and tell us what you have. We will give you a firm price before any work starts, fit locks that meet recognised British Standards, and back the job with our 180-day parts and labour guarantee.

Frequently asked questions