Things to know
Show the call-out or emergency fee as its own line, always. It's the first number a stressed-out customer standing outside their own front door is going to look at. Showing it transparently, instead of folding it into a single lump sum, builds more trust in the moment and protects you if the total is ever questioned afterwards.
Non-destructive entry and destructive entry are different jobs with different justified prices, and the invoice should say which one happened. If a lock had to be drilled instead of picked, list that separately along with the replacement lock. It explains to the customer exactly why the total is higher than a straightforward pick-and-open would have been.
Anti-snap and security ratings, with BS 3621 the common UK reference, are worth naming on the invoice when you fit them, particularly for insurance purposes. Many home insurance policies require a specific lock standard to be valid. A customer with the rating documented on their invoice has exactly what they need if their insurer ever asks for proof.
Note the property address on the invoice, beyond the customer's billing details, especially for landlords or letting agents managing several properties. It turns a generic invoice into a proper record they can match against the right tenancy. It's also the detail most often asked for afterwards if a dispute over which property was serviced ever comes up.
Typical locksmith line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Lockout call-out (daytime) | per visit | £70–£130 |
| Lockout call-out (evening/night/weekend) | per visit | £120–£200 |
| Anti-snap euro cylinder (TS 007 3-star), fitted | per cylinder | £70–£140 |
| BS 3621 mortice deadlock, fitted | per lock | £120–£220 |
| uPVC multipoint mechanism replacement | per door | £150–£300 |
| Rekey / cylinder change after tenant move-out | per door | £60–£120 |
| Window lock fitting | per window | £20–£45 |
Common locksmith jobs and how to price them
- Lockouts
- Fixed call-out by time band, with non-destructive entry where possible and parts extra.
- Lock upgrades
- Per lock, specifying the standard (BS 3621, TS 007 3-star) the customer’s insurer may require.
- uPVC door mechanisms
- Per door, parts identified on the first visit.
- Landlord changeovers
- Per door, invoiced to the agent with property address.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- No statutory licensing — locksmithing is not licensed in England, so voluntary vetting matters — Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) approval is the best-known. Name it if you hold it.
- BS 3621 and TS 007 / SS312 cylinders — many home insurers require BS 3621 locks on final exit doors, and anti-snap cylinders rated TS 007 3-star or SS312 Diamond are the common upgrade. Name the standard of anything you fit.
- Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 — urgent repairs the customer called you out for are exempt from the 14-day cancellation right — but non-urgent extras sold on the visit are not.
- Proof of residency — check ID or proof of address before gaining entry, and record what you checked.
Payment terms locksmiths commonly use
- Payment on completion, before leaving site — state it when booking, including the call-out band.
- Agent work: 14 days, with property address and works order reference.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for locksmiths
VAT
Standard-rated at 20% once registered.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Lock changes and repairs for homeowners and landlords are outside CIS.
Fitting locks and door hardware as part of a building project for a contractor is within CIS: HMRC says locks are not a security system, so the security-systems exclusion doesn't apply. Installing burglar alarms and other security systems is excluded.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Call-out / emergency fee separated
- Lock cost + labour split
- Out-of-hours premium as own line
- Key cutting / spare keys row
- Address of service in notes
Full guide
How to Start a Locksmith Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Give the call-out band and a likely total range on the phone, then confirm the full price on arrival before starting. Unexpected locksmith bills are a common consumer complaint.
TS 007 3-star or SS312 Diamond cylinders are tested against snapping and other attacks. Many insurers expect them, so name the standard on the invoice.
No. Urgent repairs the customer specifically requested are exempt. Extra work sold during the visit, such as upgrading every lock in the house, may not be.
Yes. Note what ID or proof of address you checked before gaining entry. It protects you and the customer.
Always — it's the line customers look at first. Showing it transparently builds trust and protects you in disputes. Don't bury it in your labour rate.
Non-destructive picking is typically billed at standard labour. If the lock has to be drilled, list it separately so the customer sees why the lock had to be replaced.
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