| Locksmith, typical UK daytime rate | |
|---|---|
| Cost | around £65 an hour |
| Checkatrade, May 2026. Emergency call outs add £50 to £150. Checkatrade's Leeds average for a locksmith job is about £149. | |
Most locksmith calls are one of three things: a lockout, a lock change, or a lock that has stopped working. This guide sets out what each costs in 2026, using two national cost guides, and what pushes the price up.
How much does a locksmith cost?
| Job | Typical UK cost | Average | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change a standard uPVC lock | £100 to £150 | £125 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Change an anti snap uPVC lock | £125 to £175 | £150 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Change a Yale lock | £90 to £120 | £100 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Replace a mortice lock | £115 to £165 | £140 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Replace a nightlatch | £85 to £95 | £90 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Patio door lock | £90 to £100 | £95 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Garage door lock | £80 to £90 | £85 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Change all locks (2 outside doors and windows) | £400 to £600 | £500 | Checkatrade, May 2026 |
| Key cutting | £5 to £20 a key | MyBuilder, October 2026 | |
| Lock repair | £50 to £100 | MyBuilder, October 2026 |
Locksmith hourly rates by time of day
Checkatrade’s guide shows how much the time of day matters:
| When you call | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 8am to 6pm | about £65 |
| 6am to 8am and 6pm to 8pm | about £75 |
| 8pm to midnight | about £85 |
| Midnight to 6am | about £120 |
MyBuilder gives a lower daytime range of £45 to £65 an hour.
Emergency locksmith costs
| Emergency job | Typical UK cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Out of hours call out fee | £50 to £150 (average £100) | Checkatrade |
| Regain entry to a property | £90 to £130 (average £110) | Checkatrade |
| Remove a broken key (labour only) | £80 to £100 | Checkatrade |
| Emergency boarding up | about £200 | Checkatrade |
| Total emergency job | £150 to £250 | MyBuilder |
Locksmith prices in Leeds
Checkatrade publishes average job prices for a handful of UK cities. For Leeds it gives about £149, compared with £135 in Sheffield, £140 in Bolton and £163 in London (May 2026). That is an average across all job types, so a simple daytime lock change is often cheaper and a night time lockout dearer.
What changes the price?
- Time of day and day of the week. Nights, weekends and bank holidays cost more.
- The lock. High security and anti snap cylinders cost more than basic ones, and MyBuilder puts replacement locks at £70 to £165 depending on type.
- Damage. If the lock has to be drilled, you pay for a new one.
- Travel. MyBuilder notes travel charges of about £20 to £50 if the locksmith comes a long way, which is a good reason to use a local locksmith.
Lock types and what they cost
| Lock | What it is | Typical replacement (Checkatrade) |
|---|---|---|
| Euro cylinder (uPVC and composite doors) | The barrel the key goes into | £100 to £150 |
| Anti snap euro cylinder | A cylinder designed to resist snapping, for example to TS007 3 star | £125 to £175 |
| Yale or nightlatch | A rim lock on many older timber doors | £85 to £120 |
| Mortice lock | A lock set into the door edge, often a 5 lever British Standard lock | £115 to £165 |
High security and British Standard locks cost more but are often required by home insurers. When you move house, changing the locks is one of the cheapest ways to improve home security.
Avoiding a rogue locksmith
Locksmiths are not regulated in the UK. Which? warns that some firms advertise at the top of search results, quote a low price on the phone and then charge hundreds more on the doorstep. Agree a total price including VAT and parts before anyone sets off, and check the firm on the Master Locksmiths Association register.
For checked local firms, see our list of locksmiths in Leeds, or read what to do if you need an emergency locksmith in Leeds.
Questions people ask
How much is a locksmith in the UK?
Checkatrade puts the typical daytime rate at about £65 an hour, while MyBuilder gives £45 to £65 an hour. Most simple jobs, such as changing a Yale lock, cost about £90 to £150 including the lock.
How much does a locksmith charge to open a door?
Checkatrade gives £90 to £130 to regain entry to a property, plus an out of hours call out fee of £50 to £150 at night or weekends.
How much should it cost to change a front door lock?
A standard uPVC lock change is about £100 to £150 and an anti snap uPVC lock about £125 to £175 (Checkatrade, May 2026). A Yale lock is about £90 to £120.
Is a locksmith more expensive at night?
Yes. Checkatrade's figures go from about £65 an hour in the day to £85 an hour from 8pm to midnight and £120 an hour from midnight to 6am.
Do locksmiths charge VAT?
VAT registered locksmiths add 20% VAT. Ask whether the price you are quoted includes it.
How much does a locksmith cost in Leeds?
Checkatrade's 2026 guide gives an average of about £149 for a locksmith job in Leeds, compared with about £135 in Sheffield and £163 in London.