Lock Installation and Replacement Guide

o3 / AI Assistant

02/07/25, 14:04

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Survey door & frame – check thickness, material, existing mortice or cylinder size and British‑Standard compliance.
Isolate and remove old lock – extract cylinder or mortice case, remove strike plate, assess damage.
Prepare aperture – chisel or route as needed, drill bolt holes, repair splintered wood.
Fit new lock – align latch/bolt, secure with through‑bolts; set cylinder cam or smart‑lock module.
Adjust strike plate & test smooth key turn, latch engagement and dead‑bolt throw.
Issue keys & paperwork – hand over new keys, BS3621 stickers, and Minor Works/receipts for insurance records.

Charge type	Low £	High £	Notes
Call‑out / minimum	70	120	Standard daytime attendance fee Checkatrade
Labour per hour	40	60	Average 2025 locksmith rate Master Locksmiths Association
Materials	15	60	Euro cylinder £15–£35; BS mortice £45–£60 Master Locksmiths Association
Disposal	0	20	Old lock recycled; small waste bag fee
Extras (out‑of‑hours / high‑security)	100	150	Evening call‑out or smart/anti‑snap upgrade Keytek Locksmiths
TOTAL (most jobs come in here)	180	260	Like‑for‑like swap, single external door

Typical: 30 – 90 minutes for a straightforward cylinder or night‑latch change.
Up to 2 hours: mortice lock chiselling, tight screws, or UPVC mechanism adjustments.
Half‑day: multiple doors, smart‑lock programming, or drilling hardened security plates.

What lock grade & brand will you supply – is it BS3621 for insurance?
Is your quote fixed‑price or hourly after the first 60 minutes?
Will you reuse the existing aperture or enlarge the mortice – any carpentry extra?
How many keys are included and can you cut matched spares on site?
Do you guarantee the lock and labour, and for how long?
What’s the surcharge for evening/emergency call‑outs?
Are you MLA‑approved and DBS‑checked to work on residential security?

Send door photos & thickness so the locksmith brings the right backset and cylinder length.
Clear the doorway & hallway for tool access and to keep screws from getting lost.
Reserve parking near the entrance for quick unloading of drills and stock locks.
Check insurance wording for required lock standards before the visit.
Agree on key security (no key‑code stickers left on cylinders).
Confirm VAT inclusion and ask for a receipt listing lock model for warranty.