Transparent, all-inclusive pricing.
Every locksmith in North London hides their prices behind a "call for a quote" button. We don't. Here's exactly what a call-out costs. The price you're quoted on the phone is the total.
| Time of day | Total price |
|---|---|
| 8am – 6pm 08:00 – 18:00 | £85 |
| 6pm – 8pm 18:00 – 20:00 | £110 |
| 8pm – 10pm 20:00 – 22:00 | £150 |
| 10pm – midnight 22:00 – 00:00 | £180 |
| midnight – 8am 00:00 – 08:00 | £220 |
| Bank holidays (all hours) | +£25 |
What's included
- ✓
No VAT to add
Under the threshold. The price is the price.
- ✓
No call-out fee on top
The quoted figure is the total for a standard non-destructive entry.
- ✓
Weekends same as weekdays
Saturday and Sunday are priced by time of day, not "weekend rate".
- ✓
Price confirmed before we leave
No surprises on the doorstep. If we can't confirm a price, we won't take the job.
- ✓
Non-destructive entry first
Around 80% of jobs open without damage.
- ✓
Payment on the doorstep
Card, cash or bank transfer, on the doorstep, after the job.
What if my lock has to be drilled?
In our experience, around 80% of locks open without any damage at all. We pick them using standard locksmith tools. No drill, no broken cylinder, no replacement.
If a lock is genuinely unpickable (typically a high-security cylinder with anti-bump pins, a lock that's already been tampered with, or a cheap worn-out cylinder that simply won't hold pressure), the only way in is to drill.
We won't drill anything without asking you first. We'll explain why picking has failed, tell you the drill job is a flat £120 including a new 3★ anti-snap cylinder, and only proceed with your verbal consent. You end up with a better lock than you started with, plus a 12-month warranty on the new cylinder and fitting.
Three worked examples
Locked out at 9pm on a Wednesday
Standard Yale night latch, opened without damage
£150
£150 (8pm–10pm rate)
Locked out at 2am on a Saturday
Broken key extracted non-destructively
£220
£220 (midnight–8am rate, weekends same as weekdays)
Locked out at 11pm on Boxing Day
Cylinder had to be drilled and replaced with 3★ anti-snap
£325
£180 (10pm–midnight) + £25 bank holiday + £120 anti-snap cylinder
Bank holidays
A £25 premium applies on top of the relevant time-band rate, all hours of the bank holiday. This covers Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the two May bank holidays, the August bank holiday and any others set by the UK government.
Pricing FAQs
Do you really charge no VAT?
Is there a call-out fee on top?
Do weekends cost more?
What if the lock has to be drilled?
What's a BS Kitemark 3★ anti-snap cylinder and why does it matter?
When do I pay?
Got your postcode ready?
Call with your time of day and a rough idea of the lock. We'll give you the total there and then.