Cost of emergency lock change on bank holiday?
Hello,
I was wondering if you could help me, I live locally in Buckhurst hill near the underground station.
I had an unfortunate event recently with a locksmith that I believed to be local but turns out it was a sponsored ad on google to appear to be local. On new years morning when I returned home my key (that had been playing up) wouldn’t go into the lock and open the door.
I called out a locksmith and I was charged the following:
Call out fee £139 (Sunday Morning 3am bank holiday)
Opening door £189
New lock £79
VAT £81.40
TOTAL £488.40
Labour time 15-20mins
When I queried the cost, he became very aggressive and in a vulnerable position I paid the services.
I wanted to ask you, does the above services sound correct for a call out Sunday Morning?
Could you give me an estimate on your services would have been if I had called you out for the same service.
Kind Regards,
Jenna
8 Answers
Locksmiths do tend to have high prices and like any call out service, a premium would have been added with it being NYD. That said it does sound a little steep but I'm a joiner not a locksmith
17th Apr 2023
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High spec/building
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It looks like you have paid far too much
Yes some locksmith will invoice you a call out fee on top of job
My invoice would be
Call out 3am £80
Take out old lock replaced with new one £190
So bill will be £270 + vat
Yes some locksmith will invoice you a call out fee on top of job
My invoice would be
Call out 3am £80
Take out old lock replaced with new one £190
So bill will be £270 + vat
24th Jan 2023
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William Hatt & Sons Locksmiths
0 Reviews
Hi, I would have charged £125 to open the door and for new cylinder it would have been £20
18th Sep 2023
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Lock-Man Mobile Locksmith
0 Reviews
As a Locksmith based in South Wales, my costs are not directly comparable to the Buckhurst Hill area, but saying that most reputable mobile locksmiths do not have a callout fee.
When it comes to unlocking a door, i would always try to open it using non destructive techniques first. Only as a last resort would i open the door using destructive methods on the lock cylinder.
The cost for out of hours, bank holidays, would normally be charged at time and a half.
In the South Wales area a door opening with replacement lock would come in around £120 to £140.00 depending on the type of lock being fitted. There are no hidden extras and no hidden fees.
In truth the £488.40, in my opinion is well over priced. Unfortunately like many trades you will always get the rip off merchants.
When it comes to unlocking a door, i would always try to open it using non destructive techniques first. Only as a last resort would i open the door using destructive methods on the lock cylinder.
The cost for out of hours, bank holidays, would normally be charged at time and a half.
In the South Wales area a door opening with replacement lock would come in around £120 to £140.00 depending on the type of lock being fitted. There are no hidden extras and no hidden fees.
In truth the £488.40, in my opinion is well over priced. Unfortunately like many trades you will always get the rip off merchants.
26th Oct 2023
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Hi Jenna,
Seems on the dearer side but without seeing the job it would be hard to say.
I’d say £75 call out charge to be more reasonable and anywhere from £168 to £228 for lock supplied and fitted to a standard pvc/composite door
I love to help people out when they’re in a vulnerable position, not see the £ signs.
Hope this helps
Seems on the dearer side but without seeing the job it would be hard to say.
I’d say £75 call out charge to be more reasonable and anywhere from £168 to £228 for lock supplied and fitted to a standard pvc/composite door
I love to help people out when they’re in a vulnerable position, not see the £ signs.
Hope this helps
2nd Oct 2023
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C.Jones Locksmiths
0 Reviews
It would vary on a few aspects but I would be charging the call out fee but £85 entry and then the price of the lock on top which is variable
3rd Nov 2023
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Oak Locksmiths
0 Reviews
The price is a little bit excessive but not surprising consider the time of the day and it being a bank holiday. The locksmith should have stayed professional and done the job as quick and as efficiently as possible. As a company I would simply charge for the call out and the gain entry which would have been around £220 and any additional work like a lock change would of been charged at normal price for parts and labour.
7th Nov 2023
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The Locksmith
0 Reviews
Hi. I'm not agree with the call out fee. As a trade person once you do the job you should not charge a call out fee. If the customer refuse the job price then a call out fee is charged giving the time.
29th Dec 2023
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