Emergency Locksmith Service in Reading, Berkshire (27)

Emergency locksmiths in the UK charge an average call out fee of £100. An emergency locksmith’s average hourly rate ranges from £80 - £200.

Here are the average costs of services provided by emergency locksmiths -

• Removing a broken key from a lock without replacing the cylinder - £90

• Regain entry to a property - £110

• Emergency boarding up following a burglary - £200

Emergency locksmiths will charge for their labour, plus any replacement parts that are needed. The cost of hiring an emergency locksmith will be determined by the type of work needed, type of lock/key and the extent of the damage.

Avoid unexpected costs by asking for a detailed price breakdown before agreeing to hire an emergency locksmith. Read our locksmith cost guide for a closer look at current call out fees and lock repair prices.

Traffic conditions, availability and your location can impact how long it takes for an emergency locksmith to reach you. The majority of emergency locksmiths will aim to arrive at your home within 30 minutes.

You can expect a simple lock fix to take approximately 15 minutes. Gaining entry to your home may take longer if the damage is severe or more complex replacement parts are needed.

Many emergency locksmith services in Reading are available 24/7. Whether it is 3am on a Saturday or 5pm on a bank holiday, emergency locksmiths will be able to help you gain entry to your home.

Locksmiths are not required to be licensed in the UK. The UK Government does not regulate the locksmith industry and tradespeople can legally provide locksmith services without any official registrations or licences.

While there is no ‘locksmith licence’, we recommend only hiring an emergency locksmith with the relevant qualifications and experience.

It is advisable to ask the following questions to make sure you are hiring a reputable emergency locksmith in Reading:

• What insurance cover do you have?

• What are your qualifications?

• Are you a member of any industry organisations, such as the Master Locksmith Association (MLA)?

• Is your work covered by any warranties or guarantees?

  Asking questions before hiring is an effective way to find qualified emergency locksmiths near you. Avoid hiring a tradesperson who is unable to provide proof of insurance and lacks the experience needed to successfully complete the work.

Emergency locksmiths have the tools and skills necessary to unlock a door without causing damage. Locksmiths can safely pick a lock, allowing you to gain entry to your home without breaking the lock mechanism or damaging the key in the process.

Qualified emergency locksmiths are trained how to use various non-destructive unlocking methods. However, occasionally things can go wrong and that is why it is important to hire a locksmith with up to date insurance cover.

Finding a reliable emergency locksmith in your local area doesn’t need to be difficult. We have taken all of the hard work out of hiring tradespeople committed to quality.

Follow our expert tips to find high quality emergency locksmith services in Reading:

• Read online customer reviews

• Check ratings and feedback

• Ask friends, family and local tradespeople for recommendations

• Ask about experience, qualifications, insurance, guarantees and services provided

• Request quotes from multiple emergency locksmiths to compare prices and find the best tradesperson for your budget

• Search the Checkatrade online directory

Use our online search tool to find checked, vetted and guaranteed emergency locksmiths near you. All of our tradespeople have passed multiple quality checks and we guarantee their work up to £1000* - T&Cs apply.

No time to browse our directory? No problem. Fill out our Post a Job form and Checkatrade approved emergency locksmiths in Reading will contact you directly.