TL;DR — Key Safe Installation At A Glance
- Most people pay £60–£150 inc VAT to have a key safe supplied and fitted in the UK, rising to £80–£180 in London and the South East.
- Labour alone is usually £40–£90; the key safe unit itself adds £20–£120 depending on its security rating.
- A police-approved (Secured by Design / LPCB certified) key safe costs more but is the type insurers and care providers prefer.
- The price depends on the key safe model, the wall material, mounting height and access.
- Installation is quick — a wall-mounted key safe typically takes 30–60 minutes to fit.
- A good locksmith quotes a fixed price up front with no call-out fee covering both the unit and the fitting.
Get a fixed price for key safe installation with no call-out fee — check prices and book a vetted locksmith or call to choose the right rated unit.
How Much Does Key Safe Installation Cost In 2026?
A key safe supplied and installed in the UK costs £60–£150 inc VAT, rising to £80–£180 in London and the South East. The fitting labour is usually £40–£90 for a straightforward wall-mounted unit, with the key safe itself adding £20–£120 on top depending on how secure and well-rated it is.
The main driver is the key safe's security rating. A basic combination box for holding a spare key sits at the low end. A police-approved unit — certified under Secured by Design or tested to LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) standards — costs more but resists attack and is the type insurers, care agencies and the NHS key-safe schemes expect. The wall material matters too: fixing into solid brick is quick, while cavity walls, rendered surfaces or hard stone can add time.
Here is what key safe installation typically costs across the UK:
| Option | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Basic key safe supplied and fitted | £60 – £100 | £80 – £130 |
| Police-approved key safe supplied and fitted | £100 – £150 | £130 – £180 |
| Fitting only (you supply the unit) | £40 – £80 | £60 – £110 |
| High-security / multiple units | £150 – £250+ | £190 – £320+ |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the unit and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Key Safe Cost By Type
Key safes range from simple spare-key boxes to certified, attack-tested units. This breakdown helps you match the model to the job:
| Key safe type | Unit cost (supply) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic push-button box | £20 – £40 | Holding a spare key, low risk |
| Standard combination key safe | £40 – £70 | General household use |
| Police-approved (Secured by Design) | £60 – £120 | Insurer and care-scheme requirements |
| LPCB / high-security rated | £90 – £180 | Higher-value or vulnerable properties |
| Fitting labour | £40 – £90 | Added to any supplied unit |
For care and mobility use — letting carers or family reach an elderly resident — a police-approved unit is the recommended choice, and some local authority and NHS schemes require one.
What Affects The Cost Of Key Safe Installation?
1. The Key Safe's Security Rating
The biggest single factor. A basic box is cheap; a police-approved or LPCB-certified unit costs more but resists drilling, prising and hammering, and is what insurers and care schemes look for.
2. Wall Material
Fixing into solid brick or blockwork is quick. Cavity walls, rendered or pebble-dashed surfaces, hard natural stone or concrete lintels take longer and may need specialist fixings, adding to the labour.
3. Supply-And-Fit Vs Fit-Only
Having the locksmith supply the unit is convenient and often keyed to the right rating. Supplying your own unit lowers the parts cost but you carry the risk of buying an under-rated box.
4. Mounting Position
A key safe fitted at a sensible height on an accessible wall is fast. High mounting, awkward corners, or positions that need discreet siting can add a little time.
5. Number Of Units
Some properties — HMOs, holiday lets or care situations — need more than one key safe, which multiplies both the units and the fitting time.
6. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour rates.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in an installation quote:
- Advice on the right rating for your needs
- Supply of the key safe (on a supply-and-fit booking)
- Secure fixing into the wall with appropriate fixings
- Setting the initial combination and showing you how to change it
- A test that the door and keypad work correctly
Usually charged separately:
- Upgrading to a higher-rated unit than first quoted
- Additional key safes at the same property
- Making good rendered or decorative surfaces where drilling is needed
- Relocating an existing key safe to a new position
Can You Do It Yourself?
Fitting a key safe is one of the more DIY-friendly locksmith jobs. Most units come with a fixing template and screws, and if you are confident with a masonry drill and can fix securely into solid brick, self-installation saves the labour cost.
The catches are getting the fixing right and choosing the right unit. A key safe screwed into soft mortar, rendered board or a cavity without proper fixings can be prised off the wall — defeating the point. And a cheap, under-rated box offers little real security; if an insurer or care scheme is involved, it may not be accepted. A professional fits into solid substrate with the correct fixings, positions the unit discreetly, and can supply a police-approved model. For a certified unit, or a wall you are unsure about, professional fitting is the safer choice.
How To Save Money On Key Safe Installation
- Choose the rating you actually need — a police-approved unit for insurance or care use, a standard unit where risk is low.
- Book fitting alongside other work — combine it with a lock change or lock repair in one visit to make the most of the call-out.
- Fix into solid wall where possible — it is quicker and more secure than cavity or rendered surfaces.
- Ask your insurer whether a police-approved key safe affects your cover before buying, so you fit the right unit once.
- Get a fixed price up front covering both the unit and the fitting, with no call-out fee.
- Avoid over-cheap units — a box that fails on the wall costs more to redo than fitting the right one first time.
How To Hire A Good Locksmith
Even a small job like this benefits from a vetted tradesperson. Choose a locksmith who is a member of, or approved by, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) — MLA-approved locksmiths are vetted, qualified and insured. Confirm public liability insurance, ask for reviews or references, and insist on a fixed price up front with no call-out fee covering both the unit and the fitting.
A good locksmith advises on the right security rating for your situation — particularly where an insurer, care agency or NHS scheme is involved — and fits the unit into solid substrate so it cannot be pulled off the wall. With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured locksmiths, a fixed price agreed up front and online booking, so the key safe is the right spec and securely fitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Key Safe?
A key safe supplied and fitted costs £60–£150 inc VAT in 2026, or £80–£180 in London. Labour alone is usually £40–£90, with the unit adding £20–£120 depending on its security rating.
Are Police-Approved Key Safes Worth The Extra Cost?
For most people, yes. Police-approved (Secured by Design) and LPCB-certified units resist drilling, prising and hammering, and are the type insurers, care agencies and NHS schemes expect. A basic box is cheaper but offers little real security.
Does A Key Safe Affect Home Insurance?
It can. Some insurers require a police-approved key safe if you use one, and using an under-rated unit could affect a claim. Check with your insurer before buying so you fit an accepted unit the first time.
Where Should A Key Safe Be Fitted?
On a solid, accessible external wall, ideally out of direct sight from the street and fixed at a comfortable height. Solid brick or blockwork gives the most secure fixing; cavity, rendered or stone walls need appropriate specialist fixings.
How Long Does Key Safe Installation Take?
A wall-mounted key safe fixed into solid brick typically takes 30–60 minutes. Cavity walls, rendered surfaces or hard stone take longer, and fitting several units multiplies the time.
Can A Key Safe Be Fitted To Any Wall?
Most walls can take a key safe, but the fixing method matters. Solid brick and block are straightforward; cavity walls, render, pebbledash and natural stone need the right fixings to stop the unit being prised off. A locksmith will assess the wall and fit accordingly.
