How Much Does a Locksmith Cost? Straight Prices, No Guessing
What a locksmith actually costs in Barnet and North London — lockouts, lock changes, repairs, and call-out fees, with exact prices, not 'from' figures.
Between £90 and £299 for an emergency lockout, £61 for a straightforward lock change, and £149 to get into a safe. No call-out fee on top, no "from" price that turns into something else once the van's outside. That's the short version — here's the rest.
The short of it
- Emergency lockout: £90–£299, depending on entry method and time
- Lock change (labour only): £61 per lock
- Lock replacement: £56–£124, depending on brand and security level
- Safe opening: from £149
- No call-out fee. The quoted price is the final price
- We're open 24 hours a day, every day — no separate night or weekend surcharge
- See all 9 services with full prices
What actually decides the price
Three things move a locksmith quote up or down: how the lock has to be opened, what's wrong with it, and what time it is. A lock that can be picked open is always cheaper than one that has to be drilled, because drilling means the lock itself usually needs replacing afterwards. A 2am call-out on Christmas Day costs more than 2pm on a Tuesday, the same way a plumber's emergency rate does. None of that is a secret — it should be quoted to you on the phone, before anyone gets in the van.
(If a quote changes once the locksmith's on your doorstep, that's the moment to ask why. A real reason — "it's a higher security lock than you described" — is fine. "Because I feel like it" is not, and yes, that happens more than it should.)
What we charge — no ranges hiding a bigger number
| Service | Price | Notes | |---|---|---| | Emergency lockout | £90 – £299 | Non-destructive entry from £90; drilling or high-security/after-hours work up to £299 | | Lock change | £61 per lock | Labour only, standard cylinder/pin locks | | Lock replacement | £56 – £124 | New lock fitted, depending on size, brand and security level (1-year warranty) | | Lock repair | £74 – £124 | Repair or fix the mechanism, depending on difficulty | | Safe opening | from £149 | Non-destructive where possible | | uPVC door repair | £86 + parts | Door or window lock repair, or opening | | Burglary repair | £99 – £386 | Frame repair, realignment, finishing, depending on damage | | Commercial locksmith | £249+ | Custom quote — shutter locks from £249, full multi-point systems to £1,359 | | Multipoint mechanism repair | £144 – £594 | Mechanism case repair to full system replacement |
See the full services list for everything else we cover, or go straight to emergency lockout pricing if that's why you're here. For a broad benchmark of UK locksmith prices, Checkatrade's 2026 cost guide is a reasonable independent reference — their numbers broadly match what you'll pay in North London.
When you might not need to call anyone
Half the calls we get for a "broken lock" are a stiff mechanism that needs a squirt of PTFE-based lubricant — not WD-40, which attracts dust and makes it worse in six months. Worth reading the Met Police home security advice while you're thinking about your locks, too. If the key turns but the door won't open, check the door hasn't dropped on its hinges first; a misaligned uPVC door is a five-minute adjustment, not a new lock. If you can still get in through another door or window, it's worth five minutes of troubleshooting before you book an emergency call-out — we'd rather talk you through it for free than charge you for something you could fix yourself.
What pushes a price to the top of the range
- Drilling instead of picking — happens when the lock is too high-security to
pick, or already damaged
- Out-of-hours and bank holiday timing
- British Standard or insurance-approved locks, which cost more in parts
- Multi-point uPVC mechanisms, which take longer to access and replace
- Damage from a break-in, where the frame or door itself needs repair, not
just the lock
How to get a fair price over the phone
- Describe the lock if you can — euro cylinder, mortice, multi-point, or
"I genuinely don't know" is also a fine answer
- Say whether you can see any damage already, from a break-in or otherwise
- Ask for the price before you agree to anything, including the worst-case
figure if drilling turns out to be necessary
- Get the price confirmed again before the locksmith starts work, not after
Sign-off
Locked out, locked in, or just staring at a key that won't turn — call 020 3780 8827 and you'll have a price before John's even found his van keys. He'll probably tell you a joke about deadbolts on the way. That part's free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a locksmith cost for a lockout?
Between £90 and £299, depending on how the door has to be opened. Non-destructive entry — picking or manipulating the lock — starts at £90. If the lock has to be drilled, or it's a high-security lock at 2am on a bank holiday, it's nearer £299. You're told the price before any work starts, not after.
Is there a call-out fee on top of the price?
No. The price quoted is the price you pay. There's no separate call-out fee added at the door — the figure on the phone is the figure on the invoice.
How much does it cost to change a lock?
£61 per lock for labour on a standard cylinder or pin lock. A full lock replacement — new hardware, not just a cylinder swap — runs £56 to £124 depending on the brand and security rating, with a 1-year warranty.
Do locksmiths charge more at night or on weekends?
We don't run a separate weekend or night rate — we're open 24 hours, every day, and the price you're quoted accounts for that. Some locksmiths add a premium after 9pm or on Sundays; ask before you book if you're going with someone else.
Will I be charged if I cancel after booking?
Only if the locksmith has already been dispatched. If you cancel before anyone's left for your address, there's nothing to pay.
Is it cheaper to use a locksmith found online versus calling a local one?
Not usually, and it can be a lot more expensive. National call-centre numbers often dispatch a subcontractor and mark the price up, sometimes doubling it once they're on site. A local locksmith who answers their own phone, like we do, has no markup to add.
How much does it cost to open a safe?
From £149, non-destructive where the safe allows it. The exact price depends on the make and lock type — tell us the brand on the phone and we'll give you a firmer figure before anyone drives out.
Locked out? Need a locksmith now?
Call now and speak to John directly — no call centre, no script. You'll know the price before he's on his way.