The Master Locksmiths Association puts a standard euro cylinder change from £105 across the UK, an anti snap cylinder from £137 and a mortice lock from £148, including VAT. London prices typically run higher, and evenings and nights cost more. Check whether the quote includes the lock itself.
Those are published starting prices, not quotes. The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) says London is typically 20 to 25% above its national figures. One London price list shows a lock change at £109 labour per lock, and a new cylinder supplied and fitted at £56 to £124, which shows how much the part can move the bill. A standard cylinder change takes from about 20 minutes, a mortice lock from 30.
The lock you choose moves the price. The MLA lists a budget euro cylinder from £27 without labour and an anti snap one from £64, and warns that basic cylinders are not tested against snapping. A mortice lock can need work on the door to fit, because sizes vary. Some insurers insist on BS3621 locks, so check your policy before you choose.
Time of day matters too. The MLA lists out of hours work as a price factor, and published London prices step up in the evening and again after midnight, so a lock change that can wait until morning usually costs less. If the door cannot be secured tonight, it cannot wait. Either way, ask for the total, including the lock and VAT, before anyone sets off.
As a worked example of a fixed price: our standard euro or rim cylinder change is £85 by day, £120 evening and weekend and £150 at night, plus the cylinder, which is £25 for a standard one or £60 for a TS007 3 star anti snap one, so a daytime change with an anti snap cylinder comes to £145.
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