Guide
Questions to Ask a Locksmith Before They Set Off
Before a locksmith sets off, ask who will come and where they are based, what the total price will be, whether a night or weekend rate applies, whether the lock will be opened without damage, and what standard any new lock meets. The answers take a few minutes and tell you more than the headline price does.
Who will come, and where are you based?
Ask this first. A locksmith based near you can tell you their name, or the name of whoever attends, and roughly where they are coming from. A call centre usually cannot, because the job has not been passed to anyone yet.
Also ask:
- Is this your business? If the answer is 'we send one of our engineers', you are dealing with a network, and the person who arrives may set their own price. - What is the business's full name? It should match the website, the van and the invoice.
None of this needs a long conversation. A local locksmith answers it in a sentence.
What will the total cost be?
Ask for one figure that covers call-out, labour, parts and VAT. For a plain lockout or a standard cylinder change, a locksmith based near you can usually give a firm price or a narrow range.
Useful follow-ups:
- Does a night or weekend rate apply at the time you will arrive? - If you replace a part, which part and what does it cost? - How do you take payment, and will I get an itemised invoice?
For context, a daytime lockout opened without damage costs about £90 to £160 (MLA, MyJobQuote), and MyJobQuote puts out-of-hours surcharges at £50 to £100. Write down the figure and the name of the person who gave it.
Will you open the lock without damage?
For most lockouts the answer should be yes. Most nightlatch and uPVC door lockouts are opened without drilling, and the lock keeps working. Ask the locksmith how they expect to get in, and what happens if that does not work.
Agree in advance that nobody drills or replaces anything without telling you why and what it costs first. Drilling turns a lockout into a lock replacement: MyJobQuote prices a drilled-and-replaced lockout at £180 to £300 or more. A locksmith who expects to open the door cleanly will happily agree to this.
What standard is the new lock?
If a lock is being changed or upgraded, ask for the standard by name and ask for it on the invoice. The usual ones:
- Euro cylinders on uPVC and composite doors: TS 007 3 star, or Sold Secure SS 312 Diamond, which resist snapping. - Mortice deadlocks and nightlatches on timber doors: BS 3621.
Insurers usually name one of these in the policy, though wording varies by insurer, so check yours. A cheaper unrated cylinder may work, but it may not meet your policy, and it is the part burglars attack. The insurance-approved locks guide explains the standards.
What should you ask about credentials and insurance?
Ask what they can show you, then check it yourself.
- MLA membership: search the business on the MLA's own site, locksmiths.co.uk. UK locksmiths are not licensed, so the MLA's voluntary scheme is the main trade check. - Public liability insurance: ask whether they hold it and for how much. - ID: a locksmith who arrives should be able to show who they are.
Then ask what they will need from you. A careful locksmith asks for proof that you live at the address, or that the car is yours. If they never ask, they would open the door for anyone.
Common questions
What is the most important question to ask a locksmith?
What the total will be, including call-out, labour, parts, VAT and any night or weekend rate. A figure agreed before anyone sets off is the best protection against a bill that multiplies on the doorstep.
Should a locksmith give a price over the phone?
For a plain lockout or a standard cylinder change, yes, a firm price or a narrow range. For a fault they have not seen, a range with an explanation of what moves it is reasonable.
How do I check a locksmith's MLA membership?
Search the business by name or postcode on the MLA's own website, locksmiths.co.uk. Approved companies are listed there. Do not rely on a logo on a website or van alone.