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Service

Lock repair

Lock repairs are usually charged by time, at £65 to £85 an hour in daytime across the Master Locksmiths Association's 2026 list, Checkatrade and Bark, plus parts. A lock that sticks, a key that will not turn, or a garage, shed or gate lock that has stopped working can often be repaired rather than replaced.

Illustration: a padlock

What this covers

Typical price. Lock repairs are usually charged by time, at £65 to £85 an hour in daytime across the MLA's 2026 list, Checkatrade and Bark, plus any parts.

What the job covers

  • Freeing a lock that sticks or a key that will not turn
  • Replacing the lock on an up-and-over or roller garage door
  • Fitting a hasp and staple and a padlock to a shed door
  • Repairing a gate lock that no longer meets its keeper
  • Repairing a worn mortice lock or nightlatch instead of replacing it

What is involved

Many locks fail slowly. A key that needs jiggling, a latch that sticks, a deadbolt that has to be forced: these usually mean dirt, wear, or a door that has moved, and a repair now costs less than a lockout later. A locksmith cleans and lubricates the lock with a product made for locks, adjusts the keep so the bolt meets it squarely, or replaces worn parts such as levers and springs. If the key itself is worn, a new one cut to code can bring a tired lock back.

Garage door locks are a large share of this work. Up-and-over doors from makers such as Henderson, Garador and Cardale use a handle lock that drives rods or cables out to the sides of the frame; when the key turns but the door will not open, the cables or the lock are usually at fault. Replacement locks are made to fit many models, and a garage door key can often be cut to the code stamped on the lock. Roller doors use different locks again.

Sheds and outbuildings are usually secured with a hasp and staple and a padlock. The hasp should be fixed with coach bolts or security screws that cannot be undone from outside, and the padlock and hasp should be of similar strength; Sold Secure grades both.

Gate locks fail when a gate drops on its hinges, so the latch misses its keeper. Rehanging or adjusting the gate is often part of the repair, and a lock that has rusted inside may need replacing with one made for outdoor use. Whatever the lock, a careful locksmith says when it is past repairing, and what the replacement costs, before fitting one.

Choosing someone for the job

Ask for the total before work starts, or the hourly rate and a likely number of hours, with parts and VAT. Describe what the lock does: it sticks, the key will not turn, or it turns but the door will not open. For a garage door, give the maker and any code stamped on the lock or key. Ask whether the lock can be repaired, or whether a replacement is cheaper in the end, and what that would cost. For sheds and gates, ask whether the fixings will be tamper-proof. And ask what guarantee covers the repair.

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Common questions

Can a lock be repaired, or does it need replacing?

Many can be repaired: cleaned, lubricated, adjusted to the keep, or given new springs or levers. A lock with a broken case, a cylinder that has been attacked, or one that no longer meets the standard your insurer asks for is usually better replaced. A locksmith should explain which before starting.

Why is my key hard to turn?

Usually dirt or wear in the lock, a worn key, or a door that has moved so the bolt rubs on the keep. Do not force the key, which can snap it. A locksmith can clean and adjust the lock, or cut a new key to code if the old one is worn.

Can a locksmith replace a garage door lock?

Yes. Most up-and-over garage doors from makers such as Henderson, Garador and Cardale take a replacement handle lock, and many garage door keys can be cut to the code on the lock. If the door still will not open, the rods or cables to the frame may need adjusting too.

How should a shed door be locked?

With a hasp and staple fixed by coach bolts or security screws that cannot be undone from outside, and a padlock of similar strength. Sold Secure grades padlocks and hasps, so look for a matching grade. The shed door's hinges and frame are often the weak point, so check those too.

Why won't my gate lock?

Gates drop on their hinges over time, so the latch or bolt misses its keeper. Adjusting or rehanging the gate, and moving the keeper, usually fixes it. A lock that has rusted inside may need replacing with one made for outdoor use.

Can a locksmith fix a door that has stopped locking?

Usually. On a uPVC door the cause is often a dropped door or a failed gearbox; on a timber door, a worn lock or a keep out of line. A locksmith can often tell which on the phone from what the handle and the key do.

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