TL;DR — Lock Replacement Cost At A Glance
- Most people pay £75–£170 inc VAT to replace a single lock, supplied and fitted, rising with lock type and location.
- Changing the locks on a whole 3-bedroom home typically costs £260–£450, with London and the South East running 20–30% higher.
- The price depends on the lock type, its security rating, how many locks you change and the time of day.
- Standard daytime labour runs around £65–£95 per hour; out-of-hours call-outs add roughly £40–£90.
- Upgrading to anti-snap, anti-pick "3-star" cylinders costs a little more but resists common break-in methods.
- A good locksmith quotes a fixed price up front with no call-out fee, covering both the new locks and the fitting.
Get a fixed price for lock replacement with no call-out fee — check prices and book a vetted locksmith or call to change one lock or the whole house.
How Much Does Lock Replacement Cost In 2026?
Replacing a single lock in the UK costs £75–£170 inc VAT supplied and fitted, while changing the locks across a typical 3-bedroom home runs £260–£450. London and the South East add roughly 20–30%. The figure covers the new lock, the fitting labour and a test that the door works properly afterwards.
The main driver is the lock type and its security rating. A standard euro cylinder in a uPVC door is the cheapest to swap. A high-security anti-snap, anti-pick "3-star" cylinder, a British Standard mortice lock (BS 3621, often required by insurers on wooden doors), or a full uPVC multi-point mechanism costs more. How many locks you change then scales the total — a single lock after a lost key is far cheaper than re-securing every external door after moving house.
Here is what lock replacement typically costs across the UK:
| Job | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Single euro cylinder, supplied and fitted | £75 – £140 | £95 – £180 |
| Single mortice or night latch replacement | £90 – £170 | £120 – £220 |
| Anti-snap "3-star" cylinder upgrade | £110 – £200 | £140 – £260 |
| Whole 3-bed home (multiple doors) | £260 – £450 | £320 – £580 |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the locks and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Lock Replacement Cost By Lock Type
Lock prices vary widely by type and security rating. This breakdown shows typical supply-and-fit costs:
| Lock type | Typical supply-and-fit (rest of UK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard euro cylinder (uPVC) | £75 – £140 | Most common uPVC door lock |
| Anti-snap "3-star" euro cylinder | £110 – £200 | Resists snapping, insurer-friendly |
| Night latch (Yale-type) | £80 – £150 | Common on wooden front doors |
| Mortice lock (BS 3621) | £120 – £220 | Often required by insurers |
| uPVC multi-point mechanism | £150 – £350 | Full mechanism, not just cylinder |
| Whole 3-bed home | £260 – £450 | Several doors, mixed lock types |
If a lock is only worn or jammed rather than broken, a repair may cost less than a full replacement.
What Affects The Cost Of Lock Replacement?
1. The Lock Type
A euro cylinder swap is quick and cheap. A full uPVC multi-point mechanism, a British Standard mortice lock or a rim automatic deadlock takes more time and a pricier part.
2. Security Rating
Standard cylinders are the cheapest. Upgrading to anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-pick "3-star" (TS007 or Sold Secure) cylinders adds cost but resists the methods burglars use most, and can help satisfy insurers.
3. Number Of Locks
One lock after a lost key is inexpensive. Re-securing every external door after moving in, a break-in or an eviction multiplies the parts and labour — though doing them together in one visit is cheaper than separate call-outs.
4. Keyed-Alike Requests
Matching several new cylinders to a single key (keyed-alike) is convenient but the matched cylinders can cost a little more than standard ones.
5. Time Of Day
Standard daytime labour is around £65–£95 per hour. Out-of-hours, weekend and bank-holiday work rises to roughly £110–£130 per hour, adding about £40–£90.
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 a replacement quote:
- Attendance and advice on the right lock and rating (no call-out fee with a fixed-price provider)
- Supply of the new lock or cylinder
- Removal of the old lock and fitting of the new one
- New keys for each lock changed
- A test of the door and lock before sign-off
Usually charged separately:
- Higher-security upgrades over the standard quoted lock
- Extra doors beyond the agreed scope
- Repairs to a damaged door or frame
- Any out-of-hours premium
Confirm the lock type, rating and number of doors in writing, so the quote matches the finished job.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Swapping a euro cylinder is one of the more achievable DIY jobs — measure the existing cylinder accurately (both sides from the central screw), buy a matching size, undo the single fixing screw and slide the new one in. Done right, it is quick and saves the labour cost.
The pitfalls are measurement and security. A cylinder that sticks out past the handle is a snapping risk, and buying a cheap, low-rated cylinder undoes the point of changing it. Mortice locks and uPVC multi-point mechanisms are harder: they must match the existing case size and backset exactly, and a poor fit leaves the door insecure or hard to close. If insurers require a British Standard lock, or you want anti-snap protection fitted correctly, a locksmith gets the spec and fit right first time. For a single, simple cylinder a confident DIYer can manage; for anything else, or a whole-house change, professional fitting is the safer route.
How To Save Money On Lock Replacement
- Change all the locks in one visit after a move or break-in, rather than paying separate call-outs.
- Ask about repair first — a jammed or worn lock may be repairable for less than a full replacement.
- Choose the right rating, not the highest — anti-snap "3-star" cylinders suit most homes; specialist high-security locks cost more than many properties need.
- Request keyed-alike locks to carry one key instead of several, arranged in a single visit.
- Book in standard hours where it is safe to wait, to avoid the out-of-hours premium.
- Get a fixed price up front covering both the locks and the fitting, with no call-out fee.
How To Hire A Good Locksmith
Getting the right lock, correctly fitted, is what you are paying for — so choose a vetted professional. Look for a locksmith who is a member of, or approved by, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) — MLA-approved locksmiths are vetted, qualified and insured, and will advise on ratings insurers accept. Confirm public liability insurance, ask for reviews or references, and insist on a fixed price up front with no call-out fee covering the locks and the labour.
A good locksmith explains the difference between a standard and an anti-snap cylinder, checks what your insurer requires, and fits the new lock so the door works smoothly. With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured locksmiths, a fixed price agreed up front and online booking, so your locks are the right spec and properly fitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Change A Lock?
Changing a single lock costs £75–£170 inc VAT supplied and fitted in 2026, or 20–30% more in London. Changing the locks across a 3-bedroom home typically costs £260–£450, depending on lock types and security ratings.
How Much Does It Cost To Change All The Locks In A House?
Re-securing every external door in a typical 3-bedroom home costs £260–£450 inc VAT, rising to £320–£580 in London. The total depends on how many doors there are, the lock types and whether you upgrade to higher-security cylinders.
Should You Change The Locks When Moving House?
It is strongly recommended. Previous owners, tenants, tradespeople and estate agents may still hold keys. Changing the external locks — or at least the cylinders — when you move in is an inexpensive way to know exactly who has access.
What Is An Anti-Snap Lock And Is It Worth It?
An anti-snap "3-star" euro cylinder is designed to resist lock snapping, one of the most common uPVC door break-in methods. It costs a little more than a standard cylinder but adds real security and can help satisfy insurers, making it worthwhile for most homes.
Can You Change Just The Cylinder Instead Of The Whole Lock?
Often, yes. On uPVC and many wooden doors, the euro cylinder can be replaced on its own without changing the whole mechanism — cheaper and quicker. The full mechanism is only replaced if it has failed or the door won't lock.
Does Lock Replacement Cost More At Night Or On Weekends?
Yes. Out-of-hours, weekend and bank-holiday work carries a premium of roughly £40–£90 over the standard daytime rate. Non-urgent lock changes cost less booked during normal working hours.
