£1000+ to drill out jammed Yale lock and replace with new security lock

[limetrees32]

Does this sound within the realms of reasonable ?

Total bloody rip-off if you ask me - you could get a whole new door for that.

That's what I am thought . Though I suppose there would be a call out charge and labour.

That’s sounds outrageous tbh, I’d just have a go myself for that sort of money. How long does he think it’ll take to drill out and fit a new lock, several days?!

I'd buy a new door, honestly. Pay a handy person (in case you are not handy!) to remove existing door via hinges and put the new one on.

It depends what the replacement is and how urgently it needs to be done.

I replaced the key cylinder, like for like, on a Yale lock for about £10 in materials and a YouTube DIY video.
But it was safe to leave the door unlocked (cellar) and I doubt we’re talking about the same job.

Nope. Outrageous.

even with call out during anti social hours that is a total rip off.
I seriously hope this is not a real instance.

There's a scam about people advertising online as emergency locksmiths with a low call out fee and then charging people astronomical sums once they’ve got people over a barrel - is it a situation like that?

I googled the name of a firm and it had example prices so I went with them.
But now I can't find the page again.

I'm afraid it is a real instance.
I was panicking because I had to get a friend with dementia to a GP appointment.
I'm totally cross with myself , feel such a fool. Keep thinkinhg back to the conversation and what an idiot I've been.

I'm sorry you were taken advantage if. Don't beat yourself up, you were clearly stressed at the time & looking after someone vulnerable.

I got taken for a bit of a ride recently over a small plumbing job, but I'm recovering from a medical event & feel quite vulnerable & neeeded the job done. He seemed really nice & hellful, but the ££££ stung.

shit happens, I just keep trying to remind myself I'm glad the job is done .

bd kind to yourself!!

Oh that's so kind of you @AutumnCosy2025 and good advice.
I hope you're on the mend and feeling more confident.

That image looks well dodgy to me. Apart from the sheer cost, the fact that they use the word 'tax' and are adding on 20%.

They are supposed to be using the word 'VAT' and should be providing you with their VAT registration number. If they don't do that, then they cannot charge you 20% extra and call it 'tax'. Nor should they be using the words 'untaxed amount' - it should say 'net'.

Is this a business with a proper business name or just an individual bloke?

How have you received the demand for payment, and have you actually paid it already? Have you been given a proper invoice?

Does that invoice have the business name, his name, an address, phone number, email address, registered Company name, or VAT registration number on it?

Because in my professionally trained opinion, that invoice is not a legally binding document.

I had my locks changed ( not just the barrel) and it cost less than £100.

That’s disgusting. How can the sum total of this ever be more than about £350? Unless you live in the absolute middle of nowhere.

Drilling out a lock is a DIY job.
as is replacing a Yale barrell.
and also the Yale drop latch thing.

Hardware is about £70 max.

In future I highly recommend airtasker, it will put you in touch with people who want to earn fair money for smaller jobs. Never had a bad experience.

Also yes, what the person above said about tax. Ask them for a VAT receipt and proper invoice. Many, many, many small businesses under declare so they don’t have to register for VAT. The guy who did my extension for £130k in 2018 is still not VAT reg’d…. 🤦‍♀️

It cost me £65 to have someone out to do the same job so you’ve been totally scammed sadly.

I paid under £200 and this included him sourcing a rare piece of kit because the spaces between all the screw holes and lock are non-standard.

Saw something on TV a wee while ago about this.It was to do with Google and firms that came up first and they were charging the earth just as op has been.
Iirc it was London it focused on but daresay it happens in all major cities.
Op sorry you went through this,I don't know how these scum sleep at night.

So sorry op 😔. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002fkzx
Someone above referred to this scam and it was featured on You and Yours which you can listen to on BBC iPlayer. I don't think there is much you can do other than try Trading Standards

Report them to trading standards and HMRC

The uncropped photo has vat and reg company number.
@TheExcitersblowingupmymind that's so interesting . I'm in London and it was the Google search where I made my costly mistake.
I googled a particular firm and saw reasonable prices and went for it .
But it wasn't the firm I thought it was and looking again I eventually found the misleading page with reasonable prices .
But on closer inspection ( how stupid I am ) I see that they are all followed by a tiny " starts from"

Of course I can't even leave a bad review. This Romanian guy has my address ,a bag of tools that are both menacing and powerful, and probably a key to my door.

I would report to trading standards. There is no way a Yale lock costs £326 . Hopefully they will take this seriously.