FAQs

Subject to our availability and the call-out area, we aim to respond within 4 hours of being alerted to an issue (Mon – Fri 08:30 -17:00)

Contact [email protected]. Please note we do not quote for repairs.

Of course, once we have an idea of your requirements, we can talk you through the options.

No, we only install products that are supplied by us.

08:30 – 17:00, Mon -Fri. Unfortunately, we do not operate out of hours.

Name, address, contact telephone number, email. Plus, as much detail of the issue as possible. Photos /videos are great too.

Name, address, contact telephone number, email.

Whether you are the owner, landlord, or tenant of the property.

What the issue with the lock is. For example, is a key stuck in the lock, broken, not turning?

What kind of door and lock do you have? If you are uncertain then describing them as best you can or sending us photos and videos of the door and lock will help.

The more information you can provide us before we get to you the better, as it will speed up the process of fixing or replacing your lock.

A photo id with the same address as the property needing a locksmith,

Or a bank statement or other official letter with your name and matching address on/proof of ownership.

Subject to our availability and the call-out area, we aim to respond within 4 hours of being alerted to an issue (Mon – Fri 08:30 -17:00)

Wait times are unique to each call out and can vary depending on many factors, for example;

Where you are located and how long it takes to drive to you,

How busy we are that day,

What kind of lock and door you have and whether the locksmith has all tools and equipment necessary on hand or if they need to resupply. Our locksmith’s keep well equipped vans but they can’t carry everything all the time, there may be times when the locksmith will arrive, assess the situation and need to leave to go get something before coming back.

Depends entirely on the kind of lock, the door, and what the issue is. Euro profile locks can take as little at 10 minutes to change-out with a new one, however more complicated locks can take significantly longer.

New keys generally start from £6 upwards, depending on the brand of key, what the key is for, how it is cut. It’s always best to give us a call or email to get a quote for a new key as they are all tailored to specific requirements, and more specialised keys will cost more.

There are many reasons a lock may stop working. Some common issues include:

Weathering – rain, cold, heat, dust and debris can cause issues in a lock, especially for ones exposed to outside elements.

Infrequent use – Locks that sit unused for months or years may jam or stick from lack of lubrication or rust.

Wear and tear – High usage locks may encounter issues from failing mechanisms, debris being introduced by keys, or simply wearing down over time.

Ensuring a clean and well lubricated Lock is essential for its continued performance and security. Door locks are made up of many intricate moving parts such as springs, tumblers, and pins. The movement of these small elements creates friction against one another, overtime leading to sticking, corrosion and wear, which can be made worse by the introduction of dust and debris.

In order to keep locks in optimum working order, it’s best practice to clean and lubricate them every 3-6 months. For the lock itself this can be done with a can of compressed air and a lubricant designed for locks. This will help with rust and corrosion prevention as well as allowing for smooth operation and usage. Simply spritz into the lock a couple times, put the key in and out to ensure everything gets evenly coated and you’re done.

If a clean and spray of lubricant doesn’t solve the issue of a sticky lock, it’s best to get it checked out by a locksmith before it gets worse.

There are many different kinds of lubricant out there labelled as being great for locks, some we recommend and some we don’t, each with its own pros and cons. Our locksmiths often use Prosolve silicone spray.

Silicone based

Pros: Water resistance and corrosion protection helping to reduce risk of rust, ideal for moisture prone locks especially in coastal areas. Doesn’t attract dust and debris, works in wide range of temperatures, long lasting.

Cons: Can be messy and stain clothes.

Graphite powder

Pros: Dry lubricant that leaves no sticky or oily residue for debris to be drawn to. Long lasting durability, works well in extreme temperatures, and is resistant to moisture, helping to reduce rust.

Cons: A little messy to apply and can clump up mechanisms if you use too much. Also Isn’t great for electric locks

Not recommended Lubricants

Oil based

Pros: Good friction reduction

Cons: Dries out to a sticky residue that dust and debris will be drawn to and is difficult to clean, gumming up locks and making maintenance worse in the long run.

WD-40

Pros: Great cleaner and can help get a stuck lock moving in a pinch

Cons: Isn’t designed for use as a lasting lubricant as it dries far too quickly and can attract more dirt in the long run.

Doors can sometimes have alignment issues; they can drop or move with use making it hard or impossible to lock. To test if this is the case, try locking and unlocking your door while its open. If the key is able to turn the lock properly while its open but not when it’s closed it’s likely the door has dropped slightly out of alignment and may be as simple as tightening the screws of the hinges back into place to fix it.

If the key can’t turn the lock whilst it’s open then there is likely an issue with the locking mechanism or key, and will need to be checked out by the locksmith.

If you have a UPVC door then the mechanisms of the lock can sometimes get jammed or break internally. Look at the shiny strip along the edge of the door, the brand name is often engraved on it, this can help your locksmith diagnose the issue and know which lock is needed for a replacement.

If a key breaks in a lock and the broken half of the key is able to be removed then the entire lock may not need to be replaced, but cleaned and a new key provided. This, however, will be determined on a case-by-case basis as a broken key could have caused damage to the cylinder.

Yes, we offer impartial security advice for domestic and commercial premises. Our quotations are free with no obligation and total confidentiality.

We can offer advice over the phone if you are uncertain on whether you need a locksmith to come out to you or not. Some problems are easily fixed with the right know-how, such as tightening loose screws, giving the lock a spritz of lubricant, or even just cleaning the key.

When in doubt, give us a ring and ask to speak with a locksmith for advice.

No, we can make you a new standard car key but we don’t do electronic keys.

In compliance with the Distance Selling Regulations, goods may be returned for credit at your own expense within 30 days of supply, but only after application to the Company for such permission to return the goods. Please email us at [email protected] with details of the order, including order number and date. Goods that have been specially manufactured will not be considered for return. Any offer of credit will be subject to the condition and re-saleability of the goods and their packing on arrival at the Company’s premises for subsequent inspection. Where goods are claimed as faulty, we will test the returned items or return to our supplier for testing. If goods are found to be faulty, we will refund the reasonable return carriage cost you may have incurred.

Door furniture is anything that is attached to a door for functionality or aesthetic purposes, such as hinges, handles, knobs, locks, bolts, kick and push plates, door knockers, closers, chains, letter boxes and more.

The post goes out twice a day, if you need to amend your order please contact us as soon as possible after ordering. During working hours, we often process orders as soon as they come through so they’re ready and waiting for dispatch the same day.

If you are local to the area then why not save some carriage and collect your goods from the store!

To ‘Click & Collect’ simply complete your purchase as normal, then select ‘Store Collection’ as the postage option, and make the required payment. It’s that simple

For special orders that contain out of stock items we will contact you when your order is ready for collection.

The Click & Collect feature is only available for people that have an SA post code.

Go to the front counter when you enter the shop and ask a member of counter staff about your click and collect order. You’ll need you name and confirmation email, as well as ID if it’s an age restricted product.