Locksmith prices: what to agree before booking

Before the visit is booked

Ask the business to publish its call-out charges or confirm an estimated call-out cost before you book. Ask what that covers and what you could owe if you decline the proposed work. A headline starting price is not the total job price.

• Check any attendance or assessment fee, minimum labour charge and out-of-hours rate.
• Ask whether labour, parts, travel, parking and VAT are included.
• Clarify cancellation charges and any deposit before agreeing the visit.

Before work starts

Ask for an estimate for the work, with the intended repair or replacement explained. Confirm whether the figure is an estimate or a fixed quote: an estimate can change; a quote is an agreed price for its stated scope, subject to relevant exceptions.

• Agree extra work or charges first, including drilling, higher-cost parts or a return visit.
• If inspection changes the diagnosis, ask for a revised total before continuing.
• Request written confirmation by text or email and an itemised invoice afterwards.

If there is a disagreement

Keep the advert, messages, job record and invoice. Raise the issue with the contracting business and seek Citizens Advice help if unresolved. An estimate is not automatically a legal price cap, and a short job is not automatically an overcharge.