Lock Change in Brixton

When should you change your locks?

Moving into a new home is the most common reason. The previous owner, their tenants, their cleaner and their dog walker may all hold keys, and there is no way to know how many copies exist. A fresh lock ends the question.

Lost or stolen keys are the next reason. If a key is gone and you cannot be sure where, changing the lock is cheaper than worrying about it. The same applies after a break-up or a falling-out with a housemate.

Worn locks are the quieter reason. A lock that sticks, grinds or needs a jiggle to turn is a lock on its way out. Changing it before it fails is cheaper than an emergency callout after it seizes shut. If the lock is stiff rather than broken, a lock repair may be the better spend.

Which locks can you fit on my door?

Most Brixton front doors take one of three locks. Euro cylinders sit in uPVC and composite doors and can be swapped quickly — an anti-snap cylinder is the usual upgrade when the old one comes out. Five-lever mortice locks sit inside timber doors and are the standard insurers look for. Nightlatches — the Yale-type lock above the handle — close the door behind you.

We can also fit British Standard locks (BS3621) and anti-snap cylinders rated to TS007. If your insurer has asked for a particular standard, mention it when you call and we will confirm what fits your door.

If your insurer has asked for BS3621, the five-lever mortice is the usual answer.

Lock change vs rekeying — what's the difference?

A lock change replaces the whole lock, so the old keys stop working and you get a fresh set. Rekeying keeps the lock body and changes the pins inside, so the old key stops working and a new key takes over. Both end with keys only you hold. The choice is cost, and whether the old hardware is worth keeping.

Rekeying suits a sound lock that works well but has too many keys in circulation — a flat you have just moved into, a lock that is nearly new. A full change suits a worn lock, a lock that has been forced, or a door that needs a different type of lock altogether.

British Standard locks and your insurance

A British Standard lock carries the BS3621 mark, which means it has been tested against drilling, picking and forced entry. Many home insurers ask for BS3621 locks on external doors, and some policies will not pay out after a break-in if the locks do not meet the standard.

If your insurer has asked for a particular standard, mention it when you call. We can fit BS3621 mortice locks on timber doors and TS007-rated cylinders on uPVC doors, and we leave the packaging and receipt with you so you have proof of the rating. To check a locksmith before booking, the Master Locksmiths Association explains what to look for in a local locksmith.

What happens during a lock change

First we check the door and the existing lock, and confirm the quote you were given on the phone. Then the old lock comes out and the new one goes in, aligned and tested so the key turns smoothly and the bolt throws fully.

We test the lock from both sides with you, check the door closes and latches properly, and hand over the new keys. If the household needs more, we can cut spare keys during the same visit. Old keys are left with you or taken away for disposal — your choice.

Lock change for landlords and tenants

Landlords change locks between tenancies as a matter of course, and tenants change them after moving in. Both are straightforward jobs, and both are usually done in one visit.

Tenants should check their tenancy agreement first: some agreements ask you to tell the landlord or hand over a spare key. If you are unsure, we can explain the usual practice when you call.

What a lock change costs

The price turns on three things: the lock, the door, and the time of day. A standard euro cylinder is the cheapest change, a five-lever mortice on a timber door costs more, and a night callout adds to the total. Our locksmith prices page explains the four factors behind every quote.

Whatever the lock, the quote comes on the phone before any work starts, and the price agreed is the price you pay. If the door needs extra work once we see it, we explain the change and agree a new price before going ahead.