Find a Locksmith Near You

Updated May 2026Prices verified 6 May 2026200 UK cities covered

A locksmith handles lockouts, lock changes, snapped keys and security upgrades. Locksmithing is not a licensed trade in the UK — anyone may advertise as one with no qualification or vetting — so Master Locksmiths Association membership, which requires exams, inspection and a criminal-record check, is doing the work a licence does elsewhere. It matters most on an emergency callout.

Emergency lockout services, lock changes and security upgrades. Compare quotes from vetted locksmith professionals across the UK. Typical cost: £80–£200.

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Professional locksmith at work in the UK

Quick answer

What does a locksmith do, and is the trade regulated in the UK?

A locksmith handles lockouts, lock changes, snapped keys and security upgrades, typically £80–£200 for domestic work. Locksmithing is not a licensed trade in the UK — anyone may advertise as one with no qualification or vetting. MLA membership, which requires exams, inspection and a criminal-record check, is the only widely recognised filter, and it matters most in an emergency callout.

Locksmith vs handyman vs door supplier

JobLocksmithHandymanDoor supplier
Emergency lockout, no damage✅ Recommended❌ No❌ No
Upgrade to TS007 3-star cylinder✅ Recommended⚠️ If competent✅ Yes
Change locks after losing keys✅ Recommended✅ OK⚠️ Sometimes
Insurance-spec BS 3621 lock✅ Recommended⚠️ Check spec✅ Yes
Whole door replacement❌ No❌ No✅ Recommended

Agree the price on the phone before an emergency callout, and ask whether they will drill. A skilled locksmith opens most domestic locks without damage; drilling first and charging for a replacement cylinder is the classic overcharge in an unregulated trade.

The Complete Guide to Hiring a Locksmith in 2026

A locksmith provides emergency lockout services, lock changes and security upgrades. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or a major installation project, a qualified locksmith has the skills, tools and experience to complete the work safely and to a high standard. On TradeMatch, every locksmith is vetted, background-checked, and holds verified public liability insurance — giving you peace of mind that your project is in safe hands.

When Should You Hire a Locksmith?

  • •You notice something that needs professional locksmith attention — don't wait for small issues to become expensive problems.
  • •You're planning a renovation or home improvement project that requires specialist locksmith skills.
  • •You need work that must comply with UK building regulations, safety standards, or manufacturer warranties.
  • •You want a professional assessment, survey or quote before committing to a larger project.
  • •You have an emergency that requires immediate professional locksmith intervention.

LocksmithQualifications & Credentials to Look For

When hiring a locksmith, always verify their qualifications. The following are the key credentials and trade body memberships regulated by Master Locksmiths Association (MLA):

✓MLA Approved (Master Locksmiths Association)
✓CRB/DBS Checked
✓Valid public liability insurance (minimum £1M)

On TradeMatch, we verify all of these credentials before any locksmith can quote on jobs.

Verified Credentials

UK accreditations every locksmith on TradeMatch is checked against

Every tradesperson is verified against the UK accreditation bodies that matter for the work — before they can quote.

Read the full UK accreditations guide →

Locksmith tools and workmanship — UK trade professional

Locksmith Hiring Checklist

Use this checklist before hiring a locksmith to ensure you get quality work at a fair price:

  1. 1Verify qualifications: MLA Approved (Master Locksmiths Association)
  2. 2Confirm valid public liability insurance (minimum £1 million cover)
  3. 3Check reviews from previous customers — look for consistent quality and reliability
  4. 4Get at least 3 written quotes that itemise labour, materials and VAT
  5. 5Ask for references and examples of similar completed work
  6. 6Agree a detailed scope of work and timeline in writing before work starts
  7. 7Confirm payment terms — TradeMatch escrow protects both homeowner and tradesperson
  8. 8Check whether Building Control notification or planning permission is required

Red Flags When Hiring a Locksmith

Watch out for these warning signs when getting quotes for locksmith work:

  • ✗No verifiable qualifications or trade body membership
  • ✗Requests full payment upfront before any work has started
  • ✗No public liability insurance or unwilling to provide proof
  • ✗Pressures you to make a quick decision without time to compare quotes
  • ✗Cannot provide references or examples of previous work
  • ✗Unusually low quotes that seem too good to be true

TradeMatch eliminates these risks — every locksmith is vetted, insured, and payments are escrow-protected.

Best Time to Hire a Locksmith

You can hire a locksmith at any time of year, but planning ahead and booking during off-peak months (typically late autumn to early spring) can help you get better availability and potentially lower prices. For emergency work, TradeMatch has professionals available for same-day callouts.

Looking for a Locksmith Near You?

Browse vetted locksmith professionals across 200 UK cities.

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Average Locksmith Costs in 2026

JobLowAverageHigh
Emergency lockout£60£100£180
Lock change (single)£50£80£130
Full house lock change£200£350£600
Security survey£50£100£200
UPVC lock repair£60£100£180

Prices are indicative UK ranges for 2026, not a survey. Actual costs vary by location, materials and scope of work.

Locksmith Services

Lock Change

Door lock replacement and upgrade to British Standard BS3621 insurance-approved locks

£60–£180

Emergency Lockout

24/7 emergency lockout service for homes, offices and vehicles with non-destructive entry

£80–£200

Security Upgrade

Window locks, deadbolts, smart locks and multi-point locking system installation

£100–£400

Find a Locksmith by Location

LondonGreater LondonBirminghamWest MidlandsManchesterGreater ManchesterLeedsWest YorkshireGlasgowGlasgow CityLiverpoolMerseysideNewcastleTyne and WearSheffieldSouth YorkshireBristolBristolEdinburghCity of EdinburghCardiffSouth GlamorganBelfastCounty AntrimNottinghamNottinghamshireLeicesterLeicestershireCoventryWest MidlandsBradfordWest YorkshireStoke-on-TrentStaffordshireWolverhamptonWest MidlandsPlymouthDevonSouthamptonHampshireReadingBerkshireDerbyDerbyshireAberdeenAberdeenshireSwanseaWest GlamorganOxfordOxfordshireCambridgeCambridgeshireYorkNorth YorkshireBathSomersetNorwichNorfolkPortsmouthHampshireBrightonEast SussexHullEast Riding of YorkshireSunderlandTyne and WearDundeeDundee CityMiddlesbroughNorth YorkshireExeterDevonPeterboroughCambridgeshireCheltenhamGloucestershireGloucesterGloucestershireLincolnLincolnshireSalisburyWiltshireChesterCheshireWorcesterWorcestershireInvernessHighlandLutonBedfordshireIpswichSuffolkBlackpoolLancashireBoltonGreater ManchesterWarringtonCheshireCrawleyWest SussexColchesterEssexBasingstokeHampshireMaidstoneKentBedfordBedfordshireNorthamptonNorthamptonshireSwindonWiltshireWiganGreater ManchesterMansfieldNottinghamshireWakefieldWest YorkshireBarnsleySouth YorkshireDoncasterSouth YorkshireRotherhamSouth YorkshireGrimsbyLincolnshireScunthorpeLincolnshireHarrogateNorth YorkshireScarboroughNorth YorkshireCarlisleCumbriaBarrow-in-FurnessCumbriaLancasterLancashireBurnleyLancashirePrestonLancashireStockportGreater ManchesterOldhamGreater ManchesterRochdaleGreater ManchesterBirkenheadMerseysideSt HelensMerseysideWalsallWest MidlandsDudleyWest MidlandsSolihullWest MidlandsTelfordShropshireShrewsburyShropshireHerefordHerefordshireKidderminsterWorcestershireStaffordStaffordshireTamworthStaffordshireNuneatonWarwickshireRugbyWarwickshireKetteringNorthamptonshireCorbyNorthamptonshireWellingboroughNorthamptonshireBanburyOxfordshireAylesburyBuckinghamshireHigh WycombeBuckinghamshireMilton KeynesBuckinghamshireStevenageHertfordshireWatfordHertfordshireSt AlbansHertfordshireChelmsfordEssexSouthend-on-SeaEssexGuildfordSurreyTunbridge WellsKentCanterburyKentDoverKentFolkestoneKentAshfordKentMargateKentDartfordKentHastingsEast SussexEastbourneEast SussexWorthingWest SussexChichesterWest SussexHorshamWest SussexWokingSurreySloughBerkshireMaidenheadBerkshireNewburyBerkshireBracknellBerkshireWinchesterHampshireAndoverHampshireFarehamHampshireGosportHampshireAldershotHampshireFarnboroughHampshireTauntonSomersetYeovilSomersetTorquayDevonBarnstapleDevonTruroCornwallTrowbridgeWiltshireChippenhamWiltshireDorchesterDorsetWeymouthDorsetBournemouthDorsetPooleDorsetKings LynnNorfolkGreat YarmouthNorfolkBury St EdmundsSuffolkLowestoftSuffolkHarlowEssexBraintreeEssexBasildonEssexGraysEssexHemel HempsteadHertfordshireHitchinHertfordshireWelwyn Garden CityHertfordshireLetchworthHertfordshireChesterfieldDerbyshireLoughboroughLeicestershireHinckleyLeicestershireGranthamLincolnshireBostonLincolnshireNewark-on-TrentNottinghamshireWorksopNottinghamshireBuxtonDerbyshireCannockStaffordshireLichfieldStaffordshireBurton upon TrentStaffordshireLeamington SpaWarwickshireStratford-upon-AvonWarwickshireRedditchWorcestershireBromsgroveWorcestershireGreat MalvernWorcestershireCreweCheshireMacclesfieldCheshireCongletonCheshireWidnesCheshireRuncornCheshireKendalCumbriaPenrithCumbriaAccringtonLancashireChorleyLancashireLeighGreater ManchesterSaleGreater ManchesterBuryGreater ManchesterAshton-under-LyneGreater ManchesterFleetwoodLancashireDarlingtonCounty DurhamDurhamCounty DurhamBishop AucklandCounty DurhamHartlepoolCounty DurhamBlythNorthumberlandHexhamNorthumberlandWhitbyNorth YorkshireRiponNorth YorkshireNorthallertonNorth YorkshireSelbyNorth YorkshireGooleEast Riding of YorkshireBeverleyEast Riding of YorkshireBridlingtonEast Riding of YorkshireNewportGwentWrexhamWrexhamLlanelliCarmarthenshireAberystwythCeredigionBangorGwyneddStirlingStirlingshirePerthPerth and KinrossFalkirkFalkirkDunfermlineFifeKirkcaldyFifeAyrSouth Ayrshire

Locksmith — Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a locksmith cost in the UK?▾
The typical cost for a locksmith in the UK ranges from £80–£200. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials needed, your location and the tradesperson's experience. Get free, no-obligation quotes on TradeMatch to compare prices in your area.
How do I find a reliable locksmith near me?▾
On TradeMatch UK, every locksmith is vetted, background-checked and reviewed by real homeowners. Simply post your job, receive up to 5 quotes from local professionals, then compare reviews, qualifications and pricing before choosing who to hire. All payments are escrow-protected.
What qualifications should a locksmith have?▾
A reputable locksmith should hold: MLA Approved (Master Locksmiths Association), CRB/DBS Checked. They should also carry public liability insurance. The relevant regulatory body is Master Locksmiths Association (MLA). On TradeMatch, we verify these credentials before any tradesperson can join the platform.
How long does it take to get a locksmith on TradeMatch?▾
Most homeowners receive their first quote within a few hours of posting a job. Depending on demand in your area, you can typically have a locksmith booked within 1–3 days for standard work, or same-day for emergencies.
Are locksmith professionals on TradeMatch insured?▾
Yes. Every locksmith on TradeMatch must hold valid public liability insurance before they can quote on jobs. We verify insurance documentation as part of our vetting process, and payments are escrow-protected — your money is only released when you confirm the work is satisfactory.
How much does a locksmith charge per hour?▾
Hourly rates for a locksmith in the UK typically range from £60 to £180 depending on the job complexity and location. Many locksmith professionals prefer to quote per job — post on TradeMatch for accurate fixed-price quotes.
What guarantee should a locksmith offer?▾
A reputable locksmith should offer a written guarantee of at least 12 months on labour. For larger projects, look for guarantees backed by Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) or an insurance-backed warranty. On TradeMatch, all payments are escrow-protected and every tradesperson is vetted.
Is it worth hiring a locksmith or doing it myself?▾
For small cosmetic tasks you may be able to DIY, but for anything requiring mla approved (master locksmiths association) it's safer to hire a qualified locksmith. Incorrect work can void insurance, fail inspections, or cause expensive damage. Compare free quotes on TradeMatch before deciding.
Can I find an emergency locksmith on TradeMatch?▾
Yes. TradeMatch has locksmith professionals available for emergency and same-day callouts across the UK. Post an urgent job and you'll typically receive quotes within minutes. Emergency locksmith rates are usually higher than standard rates, so comparing quotes helps you avoid overpaying.
What locksmith services can I book on TradeMatch?▾
Locksmith services on TradeMatch include: Lock Change, Emergency Lockout, Security Upgrade. Each service has vetted specialists. Post your specific job to get quotes from professionals who specialise in exactly what you need.

How to Hire a Locksmith on TradeMatch

1

Post Your Job

Tell us what locksmith work you need — it only takes 2 minutes.

2

Get Free Quotes

Receive up to 3 quotes from vetted locksmith professionals near you.

3

Hire & Review

Compare reviews, choose the best quote, and leave a review when the job is done.

LocksmithQuestions & Answers

Browse questions from homeowners about hiring a locksmith, costs, and what to expect.

Browse LocksmithQ&A →LocksmithCost Guide →How to Hire a Locksmith→Emergency Locksmith→
Compare Platforms

How TradeMatch wins for Locksmith work

Side-by-side with the four most-searched UK trade platforms. No subscription fees, up to 5 competing quotes, escrow-protected payments — three things every other platform misses.

FeatureTradeMatchCheckatradeMyBuilderBarkRated People
Up to 5 quotes✓BrowseUp to 5VariesUp to 3
Escrow payment protection✓✗✗✗✗
No tradesperson subscription✓£50+/mo✓Credits£15+/mo
Verified reviews (live)✓5-day delay✓Mixed✓
Background + qualification checks✓✓LightBasic ID✓
Dispute resolution team✓✗✗✗✗
See full platform comparison →Post a locksmith job free