This locksmith cost guide explains Stride Lock & Key’s call-out fees, labour rates and how a bill is calculated. The total depends on the time band, the work required, chargeable labour and any parts. Knowing how these elements fit together helps you ask for a useful quotation before booking.
Our call-out charge is £50 between 08:00 and 20:00, or £150 between 20:00 and 08:00, seven days a week. Labour is additional at £30–£75 per hour, depending on the job, with a one-hour minimum. Parts are charged separately and no VAT is charged.
Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Card holders receive 10% off labour. This discount applies to the labour charge, not the call-out fee or parts. Mention your card when enquiring so the quotation can reflect the applicable labour discount.
Locksmith cost guide: our published rates
| Charge | Stride Lock & Key rate |
|---|---|
| Call-out: 08:00–20:00, seven days a week | £50 |
| Call-out: 20:00–08:00, seven days a week | £150 |
| Labour, depending on the job | £30–£75 per hour |
| Minimum labour charge | One hour |
| Parts | Charged separately |
| VAT | No VAT charged |
| Blue Light Card or Defence Discount Card | 10% off labour only |
The call-out fee covers attendance and is separate from labour. It is not an all-inclusive price for opening a door or replacing a lock. The same published time bands apply seven days a week; confirm the applicable band when arranging attendance, particularly around 08:00 or 20:00.
The labour range reflects differences between jobs. It is not a choice of rate to select yourself, and it does not mean every visit is charged at the highest rate. Ask which hourly rate applies to the proposed work and what information is needed to establish it.
What does the one-hour minimum mean?
A visit involving less than an hour of labour still carries a minimum charge of one hour at the applicable job rate. The call-out fee is then added, along with any parts. A quick opening therefore does not reduce labour below that minimum.
If the work requires more than an hour, additional labour can increase the total. Ask how time beyond the first hour will be charged and whether the expected duration is clear before work begins. This guide does not assume a particular billing increment beyond the minimum.
A time estimate is not a guarantee that every fault will be resolved within that period. Some damage only becomes apparent after access or inspection. Ask how any change in the scope or likely charge will be discussed before additional work proceeds.
Call-out plus the first hour: before parts
| Attendance time band | Call-out | One hour of labour | Total before parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00–20:00 | £50 | £30–£75 | £80–£125 |
| 20:00–08:00 | £150 | £30–£75 | £180–£225 |
These figures show the call-out plus one hour at the published labour range. They are not fixed prices for every lockout or repair. A job requiring parts or more labour will cost more, and the actual hourly rate depends on the work.
For example, daytime attendance with one hour charged at £30 comes to £80 before parts. Daytime attendance with one hour at £75 comes to £125 before parts. Overnight, those same labour amounts produce totals of £180 and £225 respectively.
Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Card: 10% off labour
Eligible cardholders receive a 10% reduction on the labour charge. At the published hourly rates, that reduces £30 to £27 and £75 to £67.50. The one-hour minimum remains, and the call-out fee and parts are unchanged.
| Attendance time band | Call-out | Discounted first hour | Total before parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00–20:00 | £50 | £27–£67.50 | £77–£117.50 |
| 20:00–08:00 | £150 | £27–£67.50 | £177–£217.50 |
Mention that you hold a Blue Light Card or Defence Discount Card when discussing the job. Ask for the labour discount to be shown clearly in the quotation or invoice so you can distinguish it from the attendance and parts charges.
For a simple example, £60 of labour becomes £54 after the discount. With a £50 daytime call-out, the total is £104 before parts. If parts are needed, their quoted cost is added separately without this labour discount.
Worked examples: how the total adds up
Daytime visit with one hour of labour
Suppose the agreed labour rate for a job is £50 per hour and the work falls within the one-hour minimum. The calculation is £50 call-out plus £50 labour: £100 before parts. For an eligible cardholder, the labour becomes £45, giving £95 before parts.
Overnight visit with one hour of labour
Using the same illustrative £50 hourly rate, the calculation is £150 call-out plus £50 labour: £200 before parts. The cardholder labour discount reduces this to £195 before parts. The £150 attendance fee is not discounted.
Daytime work requiring two chargeable hours
At an illustrative £60 hourly rate, two hours of labour cost £120. Add the £50 daytime call-out for £170 before parts. A 10% labour discount reduces £120 to £108, producing £158 before parts for an eligible cardholder.
The rates and durations in these examples illustrate the calculation, not a diagnosis or a promised price for a named repair. The formula is call-out plus chargeable labour plus parts, with the cardholder reduction applied to labour where eligible. No VAT is added.
Why different locksmith jobs cost different amounts
Access and the condition of the lock
A serviceable door that has latched shut can present a different job from a failed mechanism holding a door closed. Explain whether the key turns, whether the handle moves and whether another entrance is available. Those details help establish the work involved.
If you are locked out of your house, tell us whether a separate lock was secured and whether anyone is inside. Opening the door and repairing the cause may be separate parts of the job.
The component that actually needs attention
A cylinder, handle, gearbox and complete locking strip are different components. A fault may require an adjustment or a replacement part, depending on the assessment. Our Euro Cylinder Locks Explained guide describes why a cylinder change does not repair every mechanism problem.
Damage discovered during inspection
Previous forced attempts, damaged fittings or an underlying alignment problem can affect the required work. Tell us what has happened, including anything already tried. An accurate description helps avoid an estimate based on an incomplete picture.
How parts are charged
Parts are additional to call-out and labour. Their cost depends on the actual component and specification required. This guide does not assign a universal parts price because an appropriate cylinder, handle or mechanism must suit the particular installation.
Ask for the proposed make or model, relevant specification and parts cost before agreeing to replacement. Clarify whether associated furniture or fixing components are included. If options are available, compare what each achieves rather than choosing solely by appearance.
Our Lock Upgrades service covers improvements where appropriate. A higher-security component may be an option, but a repair enquiry should not automatically become an upgrade. Ask which work is needed to restore operation and which is optional.
Repair or replace: consider the reason for the work
Our Lock Repairs service can help assess whether existing hardware can be retained. A replacement may be sensible if a component is damaged or unreliable, but changing sound parts without a reason can add unnecessary cost.
Equally, removing a broken key or gaining entry does not necessarily resolve an existing operating fault. If the door was stiff beforehand, mention it. Our guide to uPVC doors that are hard to lock explains why alignment can be relevant.
After work, ask for normal opening and locking to be demonstrated. Keep the invoice and any supplied product information. If further work is advised, ask what problem it addresses and whether it is urgent or suitable for a planned appointment.
What to ask before booking
Confirm the time band, call-out fee, applicable hourly rate and one-hour minimum. Ask whether the likely parts and duration are known or require inspection. If you hold an eligible discount card, mention it during this discussion.
Also ask how additional labour, replacement parts or a change in scope will be agreed. A clear breakdown is more useful than a single low headline figure that does not explain what is included. Do not assume that attendance alone includes the completed repair.
Provide the address, access situation, visible lock details and any safety concerns. An overall photograph may help identification if requested. Avoid sharing detailed key-blade images or security codes publicly, and do not dismantle the lock just to obtain a model number.
If your visit is planned close to a change in time band, ask which call-out fee will apply. If the job may run beyond the initial estimate, agree how you will be kept informed. Clear expectations before attendance make the final breakdown easier to understand.
For independent advice on comparing quotations and choosing a locksmith, read the Master Locksmiths Association’s guidance.
Can you wait for daytime attendance?
If access and security are dependable, a planned daytime visit may be appropriate and carries the lower published call-out fee. Discuss the circumstances when enquiring. Do not delay essential help solely to move into a cheaper band if the property cannot be secured or an important exit is unusable.
Our Emergency Locksmith page explains how to seek urgent lock assistance. If someone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services rather than waiting for a routine locksmith visit. Availability and an attendance estimate should be confirmed when booking.
Locksmith cost guide FAQs
Is the £50 daytime call-out the full price?
No. Labour is additional at £30–£75 per hour with a one-hour minimum, and parts are separate. Call-out plus the first hour therefore totals £80–£125 during the daytime band before parts, without the cardholder discount.
Do you charge VAT?
No VAT is charged. The published figures are not prices to which VAT is then added. Your total still depends on the applicable attendance fee, chargeable labour and any separately quoted parts.
Does the cardholder discount apply to the whole bill?
No. Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Card holders receive 10% off labour only. Call-out and parts remain at their quoted amounts. The one-hour labour minimum still applies.
What if the job takes less than an hour?
The minimum labour charge is one hour at the applicable job rate. The eligible cardholder discount can reduce that labour amount by 10%, but it does not remove the minimum or discount attendance.
Are the published call-out bands different at weekends?
The £50 daytime and £150 overnight call-out bands apply seven days a week. Confirm the applicable band and any job-specific details when booking rather than assuming a particular total from the day alone.
Will my insurer pay the bill?
That depends on your policy and any assistance arrangements. Ask the insurer what is covered and whether it requires authorisation or a particular booking route. Keep an itemised invoice, but do not assume reimbursement is automatic.
Request a quotation from Stride Lock & Key
For lock work in Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley and surrounding areas, contact Stride Lock & Key with your door details and preferred attendance time. Mention any eligible discount card. For a wider planned review, consider our Home Security Check or browse the Knowledge Centre.