Frequently Asked Questions

Average response across our UK coverage is 15-20 minutes, day or night. We have engineers based in every postcode area we cover, not driving in from miles away. The closest available engineer is dispatched, so the average holds across our 144 UK locations.

Yes. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year — including weekends, bank holidays, Christmas Day, and New Year. The same number routes to the closest available engineer regardless of time.

We cover 99 main UK cities and 45 surrounding towns — 144 locations total across England, Scotland, and Wales. Check our Service Areas page or just call 0800 048 5569 with your postcode.

Most quotes take under 2 minutes on the phone. Tell us the lock type, what's failed, and your postcode — we'll give you a fixed price. No commitment to book.

No. We do not charge a callout fee under any circumstances. The price quoted on the phone is the only thing you pay. No surcharge for evenings, weekends, or bank holidays either.

Most home lockouts are between £39 and £250, depending on the lock type. Standard Yale-type cylinders are at the lower end. Anti-snap cylinders or BS3621 deadlocks push it higher. We confirm the exact price before sending an engineer.

Card (debit, credit, contactless), Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, or cash. Payment is taken when the work is complete — never in advance.

If we arrive on site after assessment and you cancel the job (changed your mind, found another solution), the £49 fee covers the engineer's time. It's never charged if we cancel or can't help. See our pricing page for full details.

No. Same price 24/7, including bank holidays and Christmas Day. We never apply unsocial-hours surcharges.

Non-destructive entry uses lock-picking, bumping, or letterbox tools to open the door without damaging the lock or door frame. We use it on 95% of lockout jobs. Drilling is a last resort, only when the lock is internally damaged or seized.

In over 95% of jobs the door and lock stay intact — same lock can be used afterward. Damage only occurs when the cylinder is already snapped, the deadlock is engaged with no inside key, or the lock has internal failure. If we have to drill, a new cylinder is included in the job.

Yes. Key extraction is one of our standard services. We use specialist tools to remove the broken pieces without damaging the cylinder. Usually takes under 15 minutes on site, and the lock typically survives without replacement. Costs £39-£99.

Call us immediately and tell us about the children or pets inside. We prioritise these calls and dispatch the absolute closest engineer. Average response in this case drops to 10-15 minutes.

No. We're domestic and small commercial only. For vehicle lockouts you need a specialist auto locksmith. We can suggest a recommendation if you call.

Most common reasons: moving into a new home, losing keys, splitting up with a partner, after a break-in, or to upgrade older locks. Standard practice for new homeowners is to change at least the front and back door cylinders.

BS3621 is the British Standard for thief-resistant locks. Most UK home insurance policies require BS3621 deadlocks on final-exit doors. We carry these as stock items — fitted in 30-45 minutes typically. Always tell us when booking if you need insurance-compliant locks.

Standard euro cylinders can be "snapped" — broken in two with simple tools — bypassing the lock. Anti-snap cylinders (TS007 3-star or SS312 Diamond) have a sacrificial section that breaks off if attacked, leaving the working part intact. Recommended for any home with a euro cylinder, especially after 2010-era housing.

We focus on traditional mechanical locks and BS3621 systems. We don't fit smart locks (Yale Conexis, August, etc.) — they require specialist installation we don't currently offer. We can replace the cylinder of a hybrid smart lock if it's a standard euro size.

Most likely cause: the multipoint mechanism (the long metal strip running the height of your door) has failed. The handle still moves but the bolts don't engage. We replace the gearbox without removing the door — usually 60-90 minutes on site.

Yes. Hinges have worn or the panel has shifted. We re-align the hinges and adjust the keeps in under an hour. If the panel itself has warped, that's a separate (and rarer) issue.

Yes. We carry mechanisms for the most common brands — Yale, Mila, Avocet, Roto. If your door has a rare brand, we identify it on site and either fit a compatible mechanism or order the exact part.

8-15 years of daily use is typical. Conservatory doors and patio doors with heavy traffic wear faster. UK damp winters don't help. If your door is over 10 years old and starting to feel "stiff", that's the gearbox warning you.

Yes. Every engineer we send is DBS-checked, fully insured, and trained in non-destructive entry. We can show ID before any work. References available on request.

Yes. Full public liability insurance covering all work. Documentation available on request. We work directly with home insurers on burglary repairs and provide receipts with serial numbers for insurance claims.

Membership of associations like the MLA (Master Locksmiths Association) is voluntary in the UK and not a legal requirement. Our credentials are: DBS checks, insurance, training, and 3,421 verified Google reviews at 4.9★.

UK locksmith industry has a known fraud problem. Three things to check: (1) Phone number works — yours does. (2) Address or company verifiable — see our About page. (3) Reviews are real and recent — 3,421 verified Google reviews. We confirm the price on the phone before dispatching, never on-site upsell.