Lockouts & emergency entry
| Job | Typical Cornwall price |
|---|---|
| Lockout — daytime non-destructive entry | £65–£95 |
| Lockout — evening / weekend / bank holiday | £90–£150 |
| Snapped key extraction | £60–£90 |
| Entry requiring the lock to be drilled | Entry price + replacement lock (£15–£60 standard parts) |
| After-burglary emergency boarding | £90–£150 per opening |
Around 9 in 10 lockouts are opened without damage using picking or bypass techniques — see our emergency locksmith page for how it works. Drilling is a last resort and always explained first.
Lock changes & upgrades
| Job | Typical Cornwall price |
|---|---|
| Single lock change (labour) | £75–£120 + parts |
| Standard euro cylinder (part) | £15–£40 |
| TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder, fitted | £100–£180 |
| BS3621 5-lever mortice, fitted | £120–£200 |
| uPVC multipoint mechanism replacement | £90–£180 + mechanism (£60–£150) |
| Full lock change, 3-bed house | £300–£600 all-in |
Moving house, lost keys or post-burglary? Insurance usually requires BS3621 mortice locks on wooden doors and TS007/anti-snap cylinders on uPVC — see the lock changes page for when a change is worth it and what insurers ask for.
Car keys, key cutting & commercial
| Job | Typical Cornwall price |
|---|---|
| Car lockout (roadside) | £75–£120 |
| Spare car key cut + programmed | £100–£250 |
| Lost car key replacement (no original) | £150–£400 |
| Standard house key cut | £3–£10 |
| High-security / restricted-profile key | £15–£60 |
| Commercial callout / survey | from £120 |
| Keypad lock for a holiday let, installed | £150–£300 |
| Smart lock, installed | £300–£800 |
What moves the price up or down
- Time of day. The single biggest factor. Out-of-hours, weekend and bank-holiday callouts carry a £30–£50 premium over the daytime rate. A lockout at 2pm Tuesday is the cheap version; the same lockout at 2am Saturday is not.
- Lock type. A standard euro cylinder is quick and cheap. BS3621 mortice cases, anti-snap cylinders, multipoint gearboxes and restricted-profile systems all cost more in parts and time.
- Urgency. "Right now" jobs pay emergency rates. Anything that can wait 24–48 hours books at the standard rate — and gives the locksmith time to bring the exact parts.
- Where you are. Travel time matters in Cornwall. A locksmith based in your town beats one driving 45 minutes from up the A30 — which is why it pays to find one by postcode.
- Who you call. National "locksmith" call-centres subcontract to locals and add a markup, often with a doorstep price far above the phone quote. Our guide to spotting dodgy locksmith services covers the warning signs.
How to pay less (honestly)
- Book, don't beg. If it isn't an emergency, book a daytime appointment — you'll save the out-of-hours premium and often get a better parts price.
- Get the price before work starts. A reputable locksmith quotes on arrival, before touching the door. If anyone won't give a price, stop.
- Upgrade once, properly. Fitting a TS007 3-star cylinder or BS3621 mortice now is cheaper than a budget lock plus the burglary it fails to stop — and it keeps your insurance valid.
- Skip the middleman. A genuinely local locksmith has no call-centre commission to recover.
Frequently asked questions
Is the price different across Cornwall?
The baseline is similar county-wide, but travel-heavy addresses (Bodmin Moor, the Lizard, far-west Penwith) tend toward the top of the ranges. See your local page for detail: Truro, Falmouth, Bodmin, Launceston, Liskeard, St Austell, Redruth, Penzance, Helston, St Ives, Newquay, Wadebridge and Camborne.
Does the quote include parts?
Entry-only jobs, yes — the price is the price. Lock changes are usually quoted as labour plus the specific lock you choose; the locksmith carries common options in the van and tells you the part price before fitting.
Are these prices guaranteed?
They're honest 2026 ranges for Cornwall, not binding quotes. A locksmith should confirm a firm price for your exact door, lock and timing before any work starts. If anyone won't give a price, don't let them start.
Why do quotes vary between companies?
Travel distance, parts stocked, and how busy they are. Ring two or three locksmiths based near you (the Master Locksmiths Association directory lists members by postcode) and compare. For a deeper dive, read our full locksmith cost guide.
How much does a locksmith cost in Cornwall?
A straightforward daytime lockout in Cornwall costs £65–£95 for non-destructive entry. Evening, weekend and bank-holiday callouts run £90–£150. Lock changes start from £75–£120 labour plus parts, and uPVC multipoint mechanism replacement runs £90–£180 plus the mechanism. Specialist work is quoted on survey.
How much does it cost to get back into my house if I'm locked out?
Daytime non-destructive entry in Cornwall typically costs £65–£95. If the lock has to be drilled (a last resort, roughly 1 job in 10) add the cost of a replacement lock — £15–£60 for standard parts. Out-of-hours entry runs £90–£150.
How much does a lock change cost in Cornwall?
Labour for a single lock change is £75–£120, plus parts: £15–£40 for a standard euro cylinder, £40–£90 for an anti-snap TS007 3-star cylinder, £30–£70 for a BS3621 mortice case. A full lock change on a 3-bed home typically lands at £300–£600 all-in.
Do locksmiths charge a callout fee in Cornwall?
Most local Cornwall locksmiths quote a single job price rather than a separate callout fee, and confirm the price before starting work. Be wary of anyone quoting a suspiciously low callout fee on the phone — that is the classic call-centre pattern where the real charge appears on the doorstep.