Find a locksmith near you

Searching for locksmiths near me? Post your job for free and locksmiths who cover your area get an alert. Say what is wrong, add the postcode and a photo of the lock, and compare the replies you get before you choose who to hire.

Common locksmith jobs

A locksmith opens, repairs, fits and upgrades the locks in your home or business. These are the jobs people post most often, and what is worth saying about each one.

Lock changes and replacements

Locks wear out, keys go missing and new homes come with unknown keys, so changing a lock is one of the most common jobs. Say which door it is, what kind of lock you have now, such as a night latch, a mortice lock or a euro cylinder, and how many keys you want. A photo of the lock on the door and one of the edge of the door both help.

uPVC and composite door lock repairs

If the handle feels loose, the key is stiff, or the door will not lock unless you lift it and push, the mechanism or the cylinder may need repair or replacement. Tell the locksmith the make of the door if you know it, and add photos of the handle, the lock and the strip along the edge of the door.

Lockouts and emergency entry

Being locked out of your home, a car park gate or a shed is stressful. Describe the situation plainly, including the postcode, the door type and whether it is a front door, back door or a communal door. The next section explains how to mark a job urgent.

Key cutting and spare keys

Many locksmiths cut keys for standard locks and can make a replacement when you have lost the original. Restricted keys usually need proof that you are allowed to copy them. Say what kind of key it is, how many copies you want, and whether you still have a working original.

Window locks

Window locks can be added to windows that have none, or replaced when a lock has broken or the key has been lost. Say how many windows, whether they are uPVC, aluminium or timber, and add a photo of the handle and the frame.

Security upgrades and anti-snap locks

After a break-in, a move or a change of tenant, many people upgrade the locks on their external doors. This can mean fitting anti-snap cylinders, adding a thief-resistant lock to a wooden door, or fitting door chains and bars. A locksmith can look at the doors you have and suggest what suits them.

Safe opening

Many locksmiths open safes when a key or code has been lost. Say the make and model if you know it, whether it is fixed to a wall or floor, and be ready to show that the safe is yours.

Other lock jobs

Gates, garage doors, patio doors, cabinets and communal doors have locks too. If your job does not fit the list above, choose Locksmith anyway and describe it in your own words, with a photo.

Locked out? Marking an emergency job

When you post your job, tick the box that says it is urgent, and say clearly that you are locked out right now. Traders who are available now see urgent jobs first, and you do not need to phone around. No reply in 4 hours? We'll step in.

We cannot promise how quickly a particular locksmith will answer, because that depends on who is working near you. If someone is in danger inside a property, call 999. After a break-in, report it to the police and your insurer first. A locksmith can then make the door secure.

How uPVC door mechanisms work

Most uPVC and composite doors are locked by a multipoint mechanism. When you lift the handle, a long strip inside the door edge throws hooks, rollers or bolts into keeps on the frame, and the key turns a cylinder that locks the handle in place. Many different parts can fail, and the symptoms are often similar.

• A handle that is loose or does not spring back usually points to a worn handle or gearbox.
• A key that is stiff or will not turn may mean a worn cylinder, or a door that has dropped so the bolts bind.
• A door that has to be lifted and pulled to lock often needs the hinges adjusting as well as the lock checked.
• A key that has snapped in the cylinder needs the broken piece removed and usually a new cylinder.

The right repair depends on which part has failed. Photos of the handle and the edge of the door give the locksmith a head start, and a good locksmith will tell you what they found before they start work.

Anti-snap locks and lock standards

Standards help you compare locks. For euro cylinders on uPVC, composite and many wooden doors, look for the TS 007 standard, which is aimed at resisting snapping and other common attacks. For night latches and mortice locks on wooden external doors, look for BS 3621. Some home insurers ask for a lock that meets a particular standard on external doors, so check your policy before you buy.

You can ask the locksmith which standard the lock they are fitting meets, and ask to see it marked on the lock or its packaging.

What affects the cost of locksmith work

No two locksmith jobs cost the same, which is why we do not publish a single price. These are the things a locksmith takes into account when they quote:

• The time of day and how urgent the job is: evenings, weekends and emergencies take a locksmith away from other plans.
• The type and quality of the lock, since a basic lock and a high-security cylinder are very different products.
• The type of door and its condition, including whether the door itself needs adjusting.
• How many locks, doors or windows are involved, and how many keys you want.
• How hard it is to get in, and whether the lock can be opened without damage or has to be replaced.
• How far the locksmith has to travel, and any parking or access problems.

Ask for the call-out charge, the labour and the cost of any parts, and ask for a total before work starts.

What to include when you post a job

• The postcode of the property
• Whether you are locked out right now, and if the job is urgent
• Which door or window it is, and whether the door is wood, uPVC or composite
• The type of lock if you know it, or a clear photo of the lock and the door edge
• How many locks or keys are involved
• Anything the lock must meet, such as an insurer’s requirement

How to choose a locksmith

Compare the replies you get rather than picking the first one. Look for a locksmith who asks sensible questions about your door and lock, and who gives you a price before they start. These are the things worth checking:

• Ask for photo ID when they arrive, and check that the name matches the business they gave you.
• Ask for the price in writing, such as a message or a quote, before any work starts.
• Ask whether they can open the lock without damage, and what it will cost if they cannot.
• Ask whether they carry insurance, and ask to see the certificate.
• A fixed price or call-out charge confirmed before any work starts
• A business name and address shown on their vehicle or invoice
• Public liability insurance, with the certificate shown before work starts
• Lock standards for new locks, such as BS 3621 or TS 007
• Ask for a written invoice with the business name and address on it once the work is done.

You can also see the checks our team has made on each tradesperson profile, and read reviews written after real jobs.

How we check traders Browse locksmiths

How it works

1. Describe the job and choose the trade it needs.
2. Add the postcode of the property, and photos if you have them.
3. Tradespeople who cover that trade and area are alerted to your job.
4. Reply to the people who get in touch, and choose who to hire.

Up to 3 locksmiths per job

Only up to 3 tradespeople can respond to each job you post, so you get a few good quotes, not a flood of calls.

If no trader responds to your job within 24 hours, we'll step in. We'll contact matching traders ourselves and keep you updated by email, phone or WhatsApp.

Locksmiths by area

Post from anywhere in the UK. These pages describe how posting works in each area, and link to the other trades you may need:

• Locksmiths and other trades in Manchester
• Locksmiths and other trades in London
• Locksmiths and other trades in Birmingham
• Locksmiths and other trades in Leeds
• Locksmiths and other trades in Liverpool
• Locksmiths and other trades in Bristol
• Locksmiths and other trades in Bolton
• Locksmiths and other trades in Edgbaston
• Locksmiths and other trades in Sutton Coldfield
• Locksmiths and other trades in Sale
• Locksmiths and other trades in Wylde Green
• Locksmiths and other trades in Rubery
• Locksmiths and other trades in Bournville
• Locksmiths and other trades in Kings Heath
• Locksmiths and other trades in Harborne
• Locksmiths and other trades in Selly Oak
• Locksmiths and other trades in Kings Norton
• Locksmiths and other trades in Northfield
• Locksmiths and other trades in Moseley
• Locksmiths and other trades in Erdington
• Locksmiths and other trades in Solihull

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a locksmith near me?

Post your job for free with the postcode and a description of what you need. Locksmiths who cover that trade and area get an alert, and you compare the replies you receive before choosing who to hire. If it is an emergency, tick the urgent box so traders who are available now see it first.

What should I do if I am locked out?

Check for another way in that is safe and legal, such as a key held by a neighbour, a family member or your landlord. If you need a locksmith, post the job and say you are locked out now. Give the postcode, the type of door and whether it is wood, uPVC or composite. If anyone inside is in danger, such as a child or someone unwell, call 999 instead of waiting for a reply.

Can a locksmith get me in without damaging the door?

Often, yes. Many standard locks can be opened without damage, but it depends on the lock, the door and its condition. Some locks have to be drilled or replaced. Ask the locksmith to explain the options and the likely result before they start, and agree the price for each option.

Why will my uPVC door not lock, or the handle feels loose?

uPVC and composite doors use a multipoint mechanism, where lifting the handle drives hooks and bolts into the frame. The cause can be a worn gearbox, a faulty cylinder, a handle that has come loose, or a door that has dropped slightly on its hinges so the bolts no longer line up. A locksmith can usually tell which by looking at the door. Photos of the handle, the edge strip and the gap round the frame help.

What is an anti-snap lock?

It is a euro cylinder lock designed to resist a method of attack where the cylinder is snapped to reach the mechanism. Many older cylinders have no such protection. A locksmith can tell you whether yours is vulnerable and fit a replacement. Cylinders that meet the TS 007 standard are made to resist this, so ask for one that does.

Should I change my locks when I move in or lose my keys?

It is a common precaution. You cannot know how many keys exist for a home you have just moved into, or who holds them. If a key has been lost or stolen, changing the cylinder or lock removes the risk. Say in your post which doors are involved and how many keys you want.

How do I avoid being overcharged?

Ask for the total price, including any call-out charge, labour and parts, before the locksmith starts work, and ask for it in writing, such as a message or a quote. Be wary of anyone who will not give a price until the work is done, or who quotes a low figure on the phone and a much higher one on the doorstep. You are always free to say no.

Does it cost anything to post a locksmith job, and how many will reply?

Posting is free. You agree the price directly with the locksmith you choose. Only up to 3 tradespeople can take up each job, so you hear from a few locksmiths who want the work rather than a crowd.

Can I get a spare key cut?

Many locksmiths cut keys for standard locks, and some can make a replacement when the original is lost. Restricted or high-security keys usually need proof of ownership. Say what type of key it is and bring or photograph the lock.

Ready to post your locksmith job?

Posting is free. Describe the problem, add the postcode and a photo, and the locksmiths who cover your area can get in touch.

Post a locksmith job for free See tradespeople available now