Frequently Asked Questions
Pricing & payment
How much does a locksmith cost in the UK?
Emergency lockouts start from £69 (uPVC) and £89 (mortice). Lock changes from £99 + parts. Anti-snap cylinder upgrades from £129. Full pricing at /pricing/. Your final quote is always given before any work starts — no surprises on arrival.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
No. There's no call-out fee when we complete the job. The only exception: if you cancel after our technician has been dispatched from base, a £50 cancellation fee applies to cover the technician's time and fuel.
What payment methods do you accept?
Card (chip, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay), cash, and bank transfer. Payment is only taken after the job is complete. We never ask for deposits or card details over the phone.
Can I get a written receipt for insurance?
Yes. We provide itemised invoices, written incident reports (for burglary repair claims), and photographs of damage on request. We can email these directly to your insurance claims handler.
What is the £50 cancellation fee?
It only applies if you cancel after we've dispatched a technician to your address. Before dispatch: free. After dispatch but before work starts: £50. After work has commenced: full quoted price. If we can't complete the job through our own fault, there's no charge.
Response times & availability
How quickly can you reach me?
In central areas (Birmingham B1–B30, Manchester M1–M22, Peterborough PE1–PE9), typically 30–45 minutes. Outer towns and villages: up to 60 minutes. We always give an honest ETA on the phone — we don't promise 20 minutes if it's not realistic.
Are you really 24/7?
Yes. Same number, same response time — day, night, weekends, bank holidays. Out-of-hours (10pm–6am) attracts a £20 surcharge.
What if I'm in a small village?
Call us and we'll confirm whether we can attend. We cover a wide radius around each hub city, including many rural and semi-rural postcodes. If your location is outside our coverage, we'll tell you straight away and won't waste your time.
Do you charge more out of hours?
A £20 out-of-hours surcharge applies between 10pm and 6am. This is added on top of the standard job price. It exists to fairly compensate technicians for unsociable hours, not to inflate costs.
Services & lock types
What types of locks do you work with?
All major UK lock brands: Yale, Era, Avocet, ABS, Brisant Ultion, Mul-T-Lock, Chubb, Banham, plus all standard uPVC multipoint systems. If your lock isn't on this list, call us — we likely still work with it.
Will you damage my lock to get me in?
No — not if we can avoid it. 9 out of 10 lockouts are solved by picking, which leaves the lock fully functional. We only drill if the lock is already damaged internally and picking is impossible.
Do I need an anti-snap lock?
If you have a uPVC door, strongly recommended. Lock snapping is the most common burglary entry technique in the UK. Many home insurance policies now require BS TS007 3-star cylinders on the main door. Check your policy or ask us for a free survey.
Can you cut a replacement car key?
Often yes, but it depends on the make and year. Older cars (pre-2000 typically): straightforward, on-site, £30–£80. Modern cars with transponder chips: £120–£250 typically. Newer smart keys: £150–£400, sometimes requires dealer involvement. We'll quote on the phone.
Do you handle commercial locks?
Yes. Master key systems, access control, re-keying after staff changes, high-security commercial cylinders, and fire exit hardware. Commercial emergencies: same 30–45 minute response. Site survey usually free for jobs over £300.
Safety & trust
How do I know you're a legitimate locksmith?
We arrive in a marked van with uniformed, ID-carrying technicians. We give you a fixed quote before starting any work — walk away if you're not satisfied. We never pressure you into additional services. Real local phone lines (0121 Birmingham, 0161 Manchester, 01733 Peterborough) answered by actual technicians.
Do you check ID before unlocking a property?
For rental properties, shared accommodations, and commercial premises: yes. We'll ask for ID and confirmation that you're authorised to enter. For your own home, a verbal confirmation and a glance at post addressed to you is usually enough. This protects you, the property owner, and us.
Are you insured?
Yes. We carry public liability insurance covering damage to your property caused by our work. Details available on request.
What if something goes wrong after you leave?
Parts we fit carry a 12-month manufacturer warranty. Our labour is warranted for 6 months — if something we've installed fails under normal use within that window, we return free to fix it. Contact us at [email protected].