Locksmith in London (51)

On average, locksmiths charge £65–£120 per hour in London. Changing multiple locks or upgrading to higher security systems will cost more.

Prices depend on the job and time of day. In London you can expect to pay around:

• Emergency lockout: £80–£150
• Replace standard lock: £100–£150
• Anti-snap uPVC lock: £125–£175
• Car key programming: £150+
• Late-night callout: from £120 per hour

Always get 2–3 quotes if you can.

If you’re on a quest to find local locksmiths who can provide a reliable, professional service, we’ve put together some tips to help you find the locksmiths working in your area.

1. Use Checkatrade search

We have thousands of tradespeople registered on Checkatrade and all of them have been checked and verified by us – so you can trust that each locksmith you find has passed our checks.

2. Ask other reliable tradespeople

Good tradespeople like to work with other reliable professionals, so ask any tradespeople you know or have worked with before if they can recommend locksmith services in London. It’s highly likely that they’ll be able to help you find a good locksmith in the area.

Want to know more about locksmith services in London?

Sometimes it helps to have a quick chat to understand what locksmith services are available in your local area and how much they’ll cost.

If you’re ready to reach out to locksmiths, you’re in the right place. Use this page to find locksmiths near you, or request a quote and we’ll get multiple locksmiths working locally to contact you directly.

A locksmith is a skilled tradesperson who works with keys and locks or all kinds. There are no official requirements for a locksmith to have formal qualifications to carry out their work, as many locksmiths learn on the job or through an apprenticeship.

That said, there are a range of training courses that locksmiths can take to build up their skills and experience. There’s currently only one nationally recognised locksmithing qualification, which is the Master Locksmith Association apprenticeship that leads to a Level 2 Certificate in Locksmithing

If you need specialist locksmith services in London, we recommend speaking to locksmiths in your local area to see what specialist services they offer – as each locksmith has their own experience and skillset.

Need to find a local locksmith?

Whether you need a new key cut or you plan on installing new locks throughout your home, it’s always helpful to get advice from locksmiths working locally before you get started.

Find the locksmiths working near you with our online search. Or request a quote and we’ll reach out to multiple locksmiths for you and they’ll get in touch with you directly.

Yes, many locksmiths will offer 24/7 services to cover emergencies – such as being locked out of your home.

Some locksmiths even specialise solely in emergency work and will typically be available through the night to the early hours.

It’s worth noting that locksmiths usually charge a higher callout fee and hourly rate for jobs outside of standard working hours.

When contacting locksmiths working locally in London, it’s worth asking what their charges are for 24/7 services before hiring them.

Need help finding a 24/7 locksmith service? Check out our top tips on how to find emergency locksmiths near you.

Local locksmith services in London will perform a range of tasks dealing with locks. Some of the most common locksmith services include:

• Key cutting (including keys for garage door locks, window locks and padlocks)

• Cutting, programming and repairing car keys

• Fitting, opening and repairing safes

• Installing access control systems

• Door unlocking/lock open service

• Emergency car opening

• Lock repair service

• Lock fitting

• Emergency lock replacement

• Advising on security options

If you have any specific locksmith needs, or want advice on the best locks for your home or ways to improve the security for your property, speak to local locksmiths for their advice.

Want to know more? Check out our guide on what locksmiths do.

There’s no fixed time that a job being completed by a locksmith will take. It will depend on various factors, including:

• Time of day

• Your location

• The complexity of the job (getting you access back into your home or changing the locks on your door)

• Traffic and weather conditions

To get more accurate timing, call your local locksmiths and ask them when they will be available.

They’ll also be able to estimate how long the job might take based on your specific situation.

How long will the locksmith be at my home?

As a general rule, an emergency locksmith will usually aim to arrive within 30-60 minutes after you contact them.

For standard non-emergency locksmith jobs, you’ll most likely need to book an appointment with the locksmith.

Yes, many reputable locksmiths will offer a guarantee for their work. It shows that they’re confident in the quality of their work.

A locksmith’s guarantee or warranty will typically cover the labour and any parts they install.

It’s worth checking the details of any guarantee offered, as the terms and conditions can vary between locksmiths.

Here are some questions to consider when checking a locksmith's guarantee or warranty:

• What does the warranty cover – labour, parts, or both?

• How long is the warranty valid?

• Are there any specific exclusions that aren’t covered by the warranty?

• How do you make a claim, if needed?

By understanding the terms of the warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that you're protected in case of any issues with the locksmith's work.

Good news if you hire a locksmith through Checkatrade - We guarantee all our members’ work up to £1,000 – find out more.

Many locksmiths in London will accept a range of payment options, including

• Debit or credit card – Many locksmiths will accept card payments (although American Express isn’t always accepted by tradespeople in the UK)

• Bank transfer – As an alternative to cash or card, many locksmiths will be happy for you to do a direct bank transfer

• Digital payments – Some locksmiths may offer digital payment options like PayPal or Apple Pay

Always check which payment methods a locksmith will accept before hiring, to make sure you will be able to pay them using an appropriate method.

And make sure you get a detailed invoice that includes details of the locksmith services they provide, the parts they use, and the total cost.

Most locksmiths working in London will be able to open the majority of standard domestic and commercial door locks. But not all of them.

Some high-security or digital locks may need specialist tools or be impossible to open without causing damage to the lock or the door.

Experienced locksmiths will typically use several techniques to gain access to a property, such as lock picking, key extraction, and drilling.

When hiring a locksmith, it’s important to choose a tradesperson with experience in dealing with a variety of locks. They’ll be able to assess your lock and advise on the best solution.

Getting locked out of your home can be a stressful experience, but it’s important to remain calm. Help is available to get you back inside.

If you find yourself locked out, here are the steps to take:

1. Check for spare keys in case you left one in a safe place outside your home or with a neighbour, friend or family member

2. Try gaining entry without damaging your property such as through an alternative door that might be open

3. Avoid forceful entry or picking the lock yourself as you could damage the lock and door which will cost more to repair

4. Contact a locksmith – we have plenty of locksmiths here at Checkatrade, so see who works locally to you and check out their reviews to see if they're the right choice for you

5. Contact your home insurance policy to see if it covers the cost of emergency lockout services (they may reimburse you for the cost of a locksmith)

If you hire a locksmith when locked out, make sure you get proper documentation for any work done – especially if you plan on making a home insurance claim.

Yes — most locksmiths can open standard locks without damage using specialist tools. In more complex cases, like high-security or digital locks, drilling may be needed. Always check if they offer non-destructive entry first.

How can a locksmith open a locked door?

They’ll use tools like tension wrenches and pick sets to open the door. If it’s an emergency or the mechanism is faulty, they might need to drill the lock and replace it.

Yes, experienced locksmiths can remove and replace locks without the original key. Depending on the type, they might need to drill the old lock to access the mechanism.

You can find emergency locksmiths near you right now. Many offer 24/7 callouts and fast response in areas across London — from Ealing to Enfield, Walthamstow to Wimbledon.