How to Spot a Rogue Locksmith in London
A rogue locksmith usually gives a very low price on the phone, then a much larger bill at the door. Warning signs include no clear quote, pressure to agree immediately, and drilling a lock that could have been picked. Always ask for the full price before work starts, and say no if the answers are vague.
London has good locksmiths and bad ones, and the bad ones are easy to find: they advertise the lowest prices, answer the phone fastest, and charge the most at the door. This guide explains how to tell them apart before anyone touches your lock.
The locksmith trade in the UK is not licensed, which means anyone can call themselves a locksmith. That makes it more important, not less, to know what to check.
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The low-price trap
It usually begins with an advert: a locksmith for a suspiciously low fixed price, sometimes under thirty pounds. The phone is answered quickly, the quote sounds friendly, and the locksmith turns up fast.
Then the price changes. The lock turns out to be more complicated, the parts are extra, the labour is hourly, and the total lands several times higher than the quote. By then your door is open and the locksmith is in your hallway, and most people simply pay.
A fair locksmith quotes the whole job on the phone — the visit, the labour and the parts — and sticks to the figure agreed. If a quote sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
Warning signs before you book
No clear quote is the first warning sign. If a locksmith will not give a price on the phone, or gives a range so wide it means nothing, be careful. A genuine locksmith can quote most jobs from a description and a photo. You can also check whether a locksmith is listed with the Master Locksmiths Association.
No local identity is the second. A real local locksmith has a local number, a named area, and a website that says where they work. A national call centre that sends whoever is nearest is not a local locksmith, however local the advert looks.
Pressure is the third. A locksmith who says the price is only valid if you agree now, or who rushes you into a decision, is not acting in your interest. A fair locksmith explains, quotes, and waits.
Warning signs at the door
Drilling first is the biggest warning sign at the door. Most locks can be opened without damage, and a competent locksmith tries non-destructive entry first. Drilling is a last resort, used only when the lock is broken or seized — and only with your agreement.
A locksmith who starts work without confirming the price is another warning sign. Nothing should happen until you have agreed the price, and if the job changes, the new price should be agreed before the extra work starts.
A locksmith who cannot show you what was done, or who leaves without testing the lock with you, is cutting corners. Every job should end with the lock tested and working keys in your hand.
Questions to ask before anyone starts
Ask for the total price, including the visit, the labour and the parts. Ask what happens if the job needs more than expected. Ask whether the lock can be opened without damage, and what happens if it cannot.
Ask for the business name and a number you can call back. A genuine locksmith is happy to be identified. A rogue trader prefers to stay anonymous.
If the answers are clear and the price is fair, go ahead. If the answers are vague, the price keeps changing, or you feel pressured, say no. You can always call someone else — and a locked door can wait for the right locksmith.
What to do if you have been overcharged
Keep the receipt and any messages about the price. Note the business name, the number you called, and what was agreed on the phone versus what was charged.
You can report the trader to Trading Standards through Citizens Advice, and to Action Fraud if you believe you were deliberately misled. A written complaint to the business itself is also worth making, even if you expect no reply — it creates a record.
For the lock itself: if a rogue locksmith fitted a poor-quality lock, have it checked by a reputable locksmith. A bad lock is a security risk, and it is worth fixing properly.
Frequently asked questions
Are locksmiths licensed in the UK?
No. There is no legal licence for locksmiths in the UK, which means anyone can call themselves a locksmith. That is why it matters to check the signs in this guide: a clear quote, a local identity, and honest answers before any work starts.
What is the most common rogue locksmith trick?
The low-price trap. A very low price is advertised, then the bill at the door is several times higher, with parts and labour added that were never mentioned. A genuine locksmith quotes the full job on the phone, and the price agreed is the price you pay.
Should a locksmith drill my lock to open it?
Only as a last resort. Most locks can be opened without damage, and a competent locksmith tries non-destructive entry first. Drilling is used only when the lock is broken, seized, or damaged, and only with your agreement after the reason is explained.
What should I ask a locksmith before booking?
Ask for the total price including the visit, labour and parts. Ask what happens if the job needs more than expected. Ask whether the lock can be opened without damage. Clear answers mean a fair trader, and vague answers mean you should call someone else.
I was overcharged by a locksmith. What can I do?
Keep the receipt and any messages about the price, and note what was agreed versus what was charged. You can report the trader to Trading Standards through Citizens Advice, and to Action Fraud if you believe you were deliberately misled. Have the lock checked by a reputable locksmith afterwards.
Last updated: 5 November 2026.