How much is a locksmith?

[TheRealLillyAllenVerifiedAccount]

Our back door lock is stuck. It just wont turn. I've sprayed in some powder the DIY shop gave me but it's not budging. We need someone to unstick it and probably replace the lock. It's a UPVC door.

How much do you think that will cost roughly? Luckily it's locked shut and we have other exit routes so it's not an emergency call out charge.

I know it's a how long is a peice of string but I dont want to get ripped off because I dont know anything about locks.

I don’t think it should be a huge amount, but do be careful as there are lots of rogue companies around.

Google some recent news articles - I read a BBC one recommending using an MLA-approved company.

£100 for a locksmith in London, or if you know a general handyman, buy a lock yourself and get them to install it. Tool station or Screwfix

I just had my front door lock replaced. Price of lock, £95 labour. Circa £300 as I got a decent lock with five keys. London.

Please do not Google it. There are SO many rogue locksmiths that pay to be there. Look on the master locksmith association website at how to spot a rogue trader and they have a find a locksmith function also

We paid about 125 for a stuck.lock. they replaced the lock but we kept the keys. I called an actual lock shop. They were great.

It won't be less than £75
It might be more

Before going to the expense of a locksmith I’d recommend spraying a little WD40 in the lock as it can be very effective in releasing a sticky lock.

The man in the DIY shop said not to do that because it will make everything sticky. He said it can act like glue in a lock. That is why he sold me some powder. I cant remember what it's called. Now the powder is in there I cant put WD40 in because that will be a big mess.

Yeah that does sound like it’d be a bad mix. I’ve used it on locks a few times over the years and it’s always been helpful.

Its probably just the barrel. If your fortunate that its stuck open you can replace the barrel yourself easily and cheaply (£15 for a cheapie to suffice - or £40 to £60 for a higher end one). I watched my partner do it this year and it was ridiculously easy. If the door is stuck shut its more complex. £100 to £150 were the quotes we got before realising that we could do ourselves as it was stuck open.

Whilst wd40 may not work now you've put the powder in (although if you're going to need a locksmith anyway, you've got nothing to lose), for future ref i'd also recommend wd40, it's always worked for me in the past..

Our back patio door was stuck locked a couple of months ago. It wasn't actually the lock that had broken but the mechanism. We called out a locksmith and he charged £120 to change the mechanism.

I paid around £95 for a locksmith to come and fix the lock on the sliding patio door - he solved the problem by squirting a bit of WD40!

I have since bought some for future use

Also have a look on YouTube - so many hints on there on how to fix a stuck lock

My lovely dad taught me many useful things before I left home to live independently. One of them was never to be without a tin of WD40 in the house 😊

It’s useful in so many ways. My most recent success was removing a splash of superglue from the kitchen floor vinyl.

I paid £160 which was £90 call out and 70 for the lock. It was an internal door so I think a locking door will be much more. It only took 10 minutes but with all these things you pay for the expertise.

A stuck or sticking lock needs graphite powder. Puff it in, leave it for an hour and gently jiggle the key in the lock to spread it. I also puff some on the key.

If that doesn’t work the lock is internally broken

My locksmith told me never to use WD40 and I have seen that repeated numerous times on line. Apparently it might free the lock immediately but attracts dirt and will eventually lead to the lock seizing.

I’ve just had to call the emergency locksmith out as I couldn’t unlock my door to get in the house.
He had to change the barrel and I got 5 new keys. £85 (NW)

If you are looking for a locksmith be very careful.
Master Locksmiths Association - Locksmith Near Me (Fully Vetted)
The £49 ‘driller killer’: steps to avoid locksmith scams | Scams | The Guardian

I paid £65 last year for lock smith when tenants got their lock stuck. They gave us old lock and keys and put in new one £110. The old one worked again after dh cleaned it up.

No idea for one lock but I paid just under £200 for front door, back door, and conservatory doors with 5 extra keys for each when I moved house. Mine was a reputable locksmith approved by trading standards, E. Mids

I've always used WD40 for sticky locks and they still work fine decades later, whether it's doors, windows, cars or padlocks. Proper old fashioned WD40 and not the newer silicon based one.

WD40 is rarely good for anything other than removing water hence Water Dispersant no40, it leaves a sticky residue that soon gums everything up.The powder op has will be some form of graphite.

Have you tried a different key? Maybe it's a combination of a worn key and worn lock barrel. A locksmith will attempt to get the lock to turn, maybe using picks, failing that as the door is closed (you can't get to the screws), he will attempt to snap the barrel if that doesn't work it will need to be drilled out.

If it's one of those doors that you have to lift the handle up so it latches and then use the key then I found something really useful in a couple of rental properties I've lived in.
Lift the handle up as far as you can even further than you think is safe and then try and use the key. That's the only way I can lock or unlock my back door!
After that replace the lock or adjust the hinges etc to help it fit.
I snapped the key once in this back door until I realized the secret was slightly misaligned mechanism.

I've tried a couple of keys and from both sides.

It was a bloody expensive lock and we've had nothing but issues with it. It's meant to be super secure so I'm guessing it will need to be drilled.

Really cant afford this right now but I guess at least it is locked shut so it isnt an emergency call out. I've got a couple of recommendations so will call around today/tomorrow.