Most locksmiths set an hourly rate and stop there. The ones who earn well treat pricing as a strategy: they know what each job is worth, they charge differently for urgency, and they never argue about money on a doorstep. Here is how to build a pricing approach that is fair to customers and profitable for you.
Know your numbers
Before you change anything, work out what a job actually costs you:
- Your callout covers travel time, fuel and the chance you get there and the customer changes their mind.
- Your hourly rate has to cover your van, tools, stock and insurance, not just your time.
- If a job takes an hour but uses £40 of parts, your hourly rate alone is not the price; the total is.
A common UK baseline is £50 to £80 per hour in the day with a £30 to £60 callout fee, and £90 to £120 per hour for night and weekend work. Your area and your costs decide where you sit in that range, and our pricing guide walks through setting it.
Price the job, not the hour
Hourly billing punishes you for being fast. The better approach for most locksmith work is a fixed price for common jobs:
| Job | Fixed-price approach |
|---|---|
| Standard lockout (house) | Callout plus one flat rate for a straightforward open |
| Euro cylinder swap | One price including the cylinder, with like-for-like and 3-star options |
| uPVC gearbox replacement | One price including the part, quoted after you identify the mechanism |
| Night emergency | Your day price plus a clear night premium, stated up front |
Fixed prices mean the customer hears a total before you start, and you keep the upside when you work fast.
Charge for urgency honestly
Night and weekend premiums are normal and fair: you are working when most people are not, and your costs are higher. What customers hate is a premium that appears after the fact. State your night rate when you quote, on the phone and again on arrival. Customers compare prices, and the locksmith who is upfront wins the call.
Raise your average job value
Lockouts are how you meet customers; upgrades are how you earn. When you finish a job, you are in the customer’s home with their locks in front of you. A quick, honest look can spot a cylinder that is vulnerable to snap attacks or a worn uPVC mechanism that will fail soon. Mentioning it, with a price, costs nothing. The guide to recommending upgrades covers how to do this without the hard sell.
Never negotiate on the doorstep
Agree the price before you leave for the job, and hold it when you arrive. If the job turns out bigger than expected, stop, explain what changed, and agree the new price before continuing. Customers respect a locksmith who is firm and clear about money. That discipline is what keeps your prices honest and your reputation strong. Set your prices with confidence, then list your business so local customers can find you.