How much is a locksmith call out charge in the UK?

Most emergency call-outs cost £80–£200 in 2026, or £120–£250 in London and the South East. Many locksmiths charge no separate call-out fee and bill for labour instead.

How much does it cost to get back into your house?

A standard-hours lockout typically costs £60–£150, rising out of hours.

Are locksmiths more expensive at night?

Yes. Evening, overnight, weekend and bank holiday work usually costs more — for example, the Master Locksmiths Association gives example rates rising from £80 an hour before 6pm to £145 an hour after midnight.

Guide · Trades

Locksmith Call Out Charge UK 2026: What Emergency Locksmiths Charge

By Future Momentum Systems · Updated September 2026

Most people pay £80–£200 for an emergency locksmith in the UK in 2026, rising to £120–£250 in London and the South East. Many reputable locksmiths don't charge a separate call-out fee at all — instead they charge for labour, with higher rates in the evening, overnight and at weekends.

Emergency locksmith prices (2026)

Service	Typical price
Emergency call-out (UK)	£80–£200
Emergency call-out (London & South East)	£120–£250
Standard-hours lockout	£60–£150
Lock replacement, supplied and fitted	£75–£170
Lock repair	£70–£150
Broken key extraction	£60–£150

Source: Fantastic Services, 2026, including VAT.

Do locksmiths charge a call-out fee?

It depends. The Master Locksmiths Association says many emergency locksmiths offer free call-outs and simply charge an hourly labour rate, while some aggregator guides quote call-out fees of around £50–£150. Always ask for a fixed price before work starts.

Locksmith hourly rates by time of day

Time	Example hourly rate
Before 6pm	£80
6pm–8pm	£90
8pm–midnight	£100
After midnight	£145

Example rates from the Master Locksmiths Association.

What affects a locksmith's price?

Time of day and day of week
Location (London typically 20–30% higher)
Non-destructive entry vs drilling
Lock type and parts needed
VAT (many locksmiths aren't VAT registered)

How to avoid being overcharged by a locksmith

A reputable locksmith will be happy to explain their charges up front. If a price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Ask for a total price before the locksmith sets off, including call-out, labour, parts and VAT
Check whether the price changes after 6pm, at weekends or on bank holidays
Look for a locksmith who is vetted by the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA)
Be cautious of very low advertised prices that rise once the locksmith arrives
Ask whether they can open the door without drilling, which is often cheaper
Get a written receipt that shows what was done and what you paid

For locksmiths: the hidden cost of a missed call

For locksmiths, almost every call is urgent. Someone locked out at 11pm won't wait for a callback. Most callers won't leave a voicemail — they ring the next locksmith on Google.

That's why more trades businesses use a call answering service that picks up every call, takes the job details and texts them straight to you. See how FMMS answers calls for trades →

Need a website that wins more jobs? See our websites for trades →

Locksmith call-out FAQs

Sources

Figures are published averages as of September 2026 and are for guidance only.