Lock Change London
Professional lock change and replacement service across London. All lock types, all door types. From £69 labour with 25-minute response.
Lock Change & Replacement Services
A lock change in London costs from £69 labour plus the new lock, or from £55 to re-key an existing lock so old keys no longer work. Each lock typically takes 15-30 minutes to change, we cover all door types (wooden, uPVC, composite and aluminium), operate 24/7 with no call-out fee, and give you a fixed quote before any work begins. Before you book, it is worth reading what you need to know before you change your door lock to make sure you are choosing the right option.
Whether you have moved into a new property, lost your keys, or simply want to upgrade your security, our professional lock change service provides fast and reliable results. Our locksmiths carry a comprehensive range of high-quality locks in their vans, meaning we can usually complete the job in a single visit. View our lock change prices for a full breakdown of costs.
Yale & Night Latch Lock Change
We replace all types of Yale and night latch locks with modern, high-security equivalents. Upgrade to anti-snap, anti-pick cylinders for maximum protection.
From £69 (labour)
Mortice Lock Change
Five-lever mortice deadlocks changed and replaced to BS3621 standard. Essential for home insurance compliance and effective against forced entry.
From £69 (labour)
Euro Cylinder Lock Change
Euro cylinder replacement for uPVC and composite doors. We fit anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-pick cylinders that meet the latest security standards. See our dedicated uPVC locksmith services page.
From £69 (labour)
Multi-Point Lock Change
Complete multi-point locking mechanism replacement for uPVC and composite doors. We carry gearboxes and mechanisms for all major door manufacturers.
Curious how long each job takes? Our guide on how long a locksmith takes to change a lock breaks down timings by lock type.
How Much Does a Lock Change Cost in London?
The cost of a lock change has two parts: the labour (from £69) and the price of the new lock itself. Because lock prices vary widely by type and security grade, the realistic total is best given as an estimate and then confirmed by a free upfront quote before any work starts. The table below shows the labour anchor for each common job alongside a typical total range, including a mid-range lock.
| Job | Labour from | Typical total (labour + lock) |
|---|---|---|
| Euro cylinder change (uPVC/composite) | £69 | Estimate confirmed on quote (basic cylinder) up to more for a 3-star anti-snap upgrade |
| Night latch / rim cylinder | £69 | Estimate confirmed on quote, depending on the night latch chosen |
| 5-lever mortice deadlock (BS3621) | £69 | Estimate confirmed on quote, kitemark insurance-grade lock |
| Multi-point mechanism (gearbox) | £99 | Estimate confirmed on quote, mechanism priced by manufacturer |
| Lock re-key (existing lock kept) | £55 | No new lock needed in most cases |
Prices shown are starting prices and exclude VAT. There is no call-out fee. Your exact price is always agreed before work begins.
Several factors move the final price: the lock type and security grade you choose, the number of locks being changed, and the door type (uPVC and composite doors need specialist cylinders and mechanisms). The time of day also matters for emergencies - we run a 24/7 service, so out-of-hours and same-day call-outs are available across London. London call-outs can carry a small premium for travel and parking, but we never hide it: you get one clear quote, with no call-out fee and no surprises.
For a full breakdown of every service, see our lock change price list. If you are shut out right now, our locked out of house page covers emergency lock opening before a change, and you can read more on the average cost to replace a door lock.
Re-key vs Replace: Which Do You Need?
Re-keying - from £55
Re-keying changes the internal pins of your existing lock so old keys no longer work, while keeping the lock body in place. It is the cheaper option and ideal when the lock is in good condition and you simply need old keys voided - for example after losing a single key or following an ex-partner moving out.
Full replacement
A full lock change is the right choice when the lock is worn or damaged, is not a recognised British Standard, or you want to step up the security grade - for instance moving to a 3-star anti-snap cylinder or a BS3621 deadlock. Our locksmith will tell you honestly which option fits your door.
When you move home we recommend re-keying or replacing all external locks, because you can never be sure how many key copies the previous occupants made. Our guide on whether to change locks when moving into a new house explains the reasoning, and the signs you need to replace your locks guide helps you spot a lock that is past saving.
Insurance-Approved Locks & British Standards
BS3621 - the insurer's benchmark
BS3621 is the kitemark British Standard that most home insurers require on final-exit doors, typically a 5-lever mortice deadlock or a British Standard rim automatic deadlatch. Fitting a non-compliant lock can leave a contents-insurance claim disputed after a break-in. We fit to BS3621 as standard wherever your policy or door calls for it.
TS007 3-star & Sold Secure anti-snap
Lock snapping is the most common forced-entry method on uPVC and composite doors. We fit TS007 3-star and Sold Secure SS312 Diamond euro cylinders, engineered to resist snapping, picking, bumping and drilling. These are the cylinders behind many Secured by Design, police-approved installations.
If you want to understand the difference between a 1-star and a 3-star cylinder, or which lock your door actually needs, see our guide to door and window lock types in London and the explainer on what lock snapping is and how to prevent it. For our recommendations on the strongest front-door options, read the best front door locks in the UK.
Changing All the Locks in Your Home
Most homes have two or more external doors, and sometimes window locks too, so changing a full set is best handled as a single scheduled visit. The per-lock cost comes down when several locks are done together, and you receive one upfront quote for the whole job rather than a charge per door.
Common triggers for a full-house change include moving into a new home, the end of a tenancy, a relationship breakdown, or simply upgrading security across the property. If you are renting, our guide on whether a tenant can change locks in England explains the permissions involved. Our residential locksmith service handles the whole property in one appointment, and if you are adding locks to doors that do not yet have them, see our door lock installation page. After a burglary, our break-in repair team can secure and re-secure the property the same visit.
When Should You Change Your Locks?
Moving Into a New Property
You never know who has copies of the existing keys. A full lock change gives you complete control over who can access your property.
After a Break-In
Compromised locks should be replaced immediately with higher-security alternatives to prevent repeat burglaries. Our emergency locksmiths respond within 25 minutes.
Lost or Stolen Keys
If your keys are lost or stolen, changing the locks is the only way to ensure your property remains secure.
Worn or Damaged Locks
Old locks can become stiff, difficult to operate, or vulnerable to forced entry. Replacing them restores both convenience and security. Not sure if yours has reached that point? See our guide to 5 signs of a broken door lock and what to do.
Why Choose City Locksmith for Your Lock Change
No call-out fee, upfront quote
You get a clear price before any work begins, and the price we agree is the price you pay. No call-out charge, no hidden extras, and none of the bait-and-switch some firms rely on.
Non-destructive lock change
Wherever possible we change your lock without damaging your door, using non-destructive methods to remove the old lock and fit the new one cleanly.
24/7 cover, 25-minute target
We work day, night, weekends and bank holidays with a 25-minute target response across Greater London and the outer boroughs. Our emergency locksmiths are always on call.
Stocked vans, one-visit jobs
Our vans carry locks for every door type - 15+ years of experience means most lock changes are finished in a single visit. See the full range of locksmith services.
Why Londoners trust our lock change service
Fully insured, DBS-checked engineers with 15+ years securing London homes and businesses - no call-out fee, with the price agreed up front.
Non-destructive entry
We open without damage where possible
DBS-checked engineers
Background-vetted technicians
Fully insured
Comprehensive public liability cover
15+ years
Serving London since 2008
24/7, 365 days
Day, night, weekends, bank holidays
No call-out fee
Free quotes, price agreed up front
Every job is carried out by an insured, DBS-checked engineer, with a fixed, all-inclusive price agreed before any work begins - no call-out fee and no surprises on the doorstep.
Lock Change FAQ
Find answers to common questions about our locksmith services.
How much does a lock change cost in London?
How long does it take to change a lock?
When should I change my locks?
What type of lock should I choose?
Can you change locks on any type of door?
Do you charge a call-out fee for a lock change?
Should I re-key or replace my locks?
Can you change a lock without the original key?
How much does it cost to change all the locks in a house?
Are your lock changes insurance-approved?
Can a tenant change the locks?
Do I need to change my locks after a break-in?
What our customers say
Real jobs, real Londoners. A few words from people we have helped.
Changed three locks across my flat in one visit. Booked it for a time that suited me, turned up bang on, very tidy. The little things like hoovering up the shavings made a difference.
Asked them to rekey rather than replace to save money and they were happy to do it. A lot of places would have just sold me new locks. Honest outfit, that's why I'd recommend them.
Had a relationship break down and needed the locks changed quick and discreetly. They were really understanding about it, came same day and sorted everything. Can't thank them enough for the speed.
Old mortice lock was getting stiff and I worried it would seize completely. They upgraded it to a BS3621 deadlock for the insurance and showed me how it worked. No fuss, fair price.
Just moved into a rented flat and wanted all the locks changed before the first night. Booked for the next morning, two locks done in under an hour, British Standard ones fitted. Felt safe straight away. Polite and clean work.
Wanted anti-snap cylinders after a neighbour got burgled. The locksmith explained the difference between the cheap and the proper ones honestly, fitted decent ones and didn't try to flog me anything I didn't need.
Old school service with a modern setup. Booked easily, kept me updated on timing, and did a thorough job. The sort of tradesman you actually want to come back.
Quick to answer, quick to arrive, and the engineer clearly took pride in the job. Explained everything in plain English without talking down to me. Hard to find these days.
Reliable from the first phone call to the finished job. No drama, no mess, fair money. Recommended them to two neighbours already and both were happy too.
Second time I've used City Locksmith and same good experience both times. On time, polite, knows their trade and charges fairly. Saved their number in my phone now.
Need a lock change? Call now
Our locksmiths carry a full range of locks and can change your locks today. 24/7 service, from £69 labour.
Call 020 4524 6667