Cost guide
Emergency locksmith prices in the UK
A lockout where the lock has to be drilled and replaced costs £180 to £300 or more on MyJobQuote's September 2026 figures, against £90 to £160 for a daytime lockout opened without damage (MLA, MyJobQuote). MyJobQuote adds £50 to £100 out of hours. Some locksmiths charge a separate call-out fee of £50 to £150 (Checkatrade, 2026); the MLA says most do not.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A price depends on the lock, the door and the hour.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Daytime lockout, opened without damage (MLA, MyJobQuote) | £90 to £160 |
| Out-of-hours surcharge, nights and weekends (MyJobQuote) | £50 to £100 on top |
| Lockout where the lock is drilled and replaced (MyJobQuote) | £180 to £300 or more |
| Separate call-out fee, where one is charged (Checkatrade) | £50 to £150 |
| Locksmith's hourly rate, daytime (MLA, Checkatrade, Bark) | £65 to £85 |
| London hourly rate, daytime (MLA) | from £95 |
Figures from the MLA's 2026 price list, MyJobQuote (updated 14 September 2026), Checkatrade (2026) and Bark (2025), checked 2 October 2026; they are ranges, not quotes.
What moves the price
- Time. MyJobQuote puts the out-of-hours surcharge at £50 to £100; Bark's 2025 hourly guide gives £90 an hour from 8pm to midnight and £125 after midnight.
- The lock. A nightlatch or a pulled-shut uPVC door is usually opened without damage; a locked deadlock or high-security cylinder takes longer.
- Drilling. If a lock has to be drilled, a new lock is added: MyJobQuote's £180 to £300 or more includes it.
- Call-out fee. Most emergency locksmiths charge none, the MLA says; where one is charged, Checkatrade puts it at £50 to £150.
- London. The MLA's list starts at £95 an hour in London against £85 elsewhere, and £153 an hour after midnight.
Who quotes for it
189 of the 1,224 locksmiths listed on this site take on emergency locksmith.
Where they are: Birmingham (6), Chester (5), Edinburgh (5), Hillingdon (4), Leeds (4).
Questions about emergency locksmith
How much does an emergency locksmith cost?
£90 to £160 for a daytime lockout in the Master Locksmiths Association's and MyJobQuote's 2026 guides. MyJobQuote adds £50 to £100 out of hours, and puts a lockout where the lock has to be drilled and replaced at £180 to £300 or more.
Do emergency locksmiths charge a call-out fee?
The MLA says most do not charge a separate one. Where a fee is charged, Checkatrade's 2026 guide puts it at £50 to £150, and Fantastic Services at £80 to £200. Ask whether it is included in the total before anyone sets off.
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