Replace door hinges & locks.

Replacing door hinges and locks in the UK typically costs £60–£250 depending on door type and lock complexity. Internal door hinge replacement runs £40-£90; external door lock changes are £80-£200; high-security locks (anti-snap, anti-bump) and multi-point locking systems can run £150-£400 fitted. Most jobs take 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The two reasons people most commonly book this work: hinges have failed (sagging door, won't close) or security concerns (lost keys, after a break-in attempt, moving in to a new home). Both are routine work for any locksmith or carpenter.

Typical UK costs

Hinge problems and fixes

• Sagging door (hinge dropping) — usually loose hinge screws into stripped wood, or worn pin/knuckle. Replace with longer screws, fit T-nuts, or replace the hinge entirely.
• Door catches frame at top corner — top hinge dropping. Tighten screws, or replace.
• Door catches at bottom corner — bottom hinge dropping or door swelling. Plane lightly, or replace bottom hinge.
• Squeaking — usually just lubrication. WD-40 or graphite powder. Replacement only needed if pin is visibly worn.
• Hinge damage from forced entry — replace hinges + repair frame splintering. Often time to upgrade to security hinges.

Lock types and what's appropriate

• Yale-style nightlatch — surface-mounted, on the latch side. Common UK front-door fitting. Replace if key is lost or worn.
• Mortice lock (5-lever, BS 3621) — set into the door edge, deadbolt operation. Insurance-approved standard for external timber doors.
• UPVC multi-point — multiple locking points (typically 3-5) along the door height. Standard for modern UPVC and composite doors.
• Euro cylinder — the cylinder itself is what's replaced (rather than the whole lock). Anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-pick variants matter for security.
• Smart locks — fitted to existing or new doors, electronic operation via keypad / phone / fingerprint. £120-£500 plus fitting.

Security upgrades worth considering

• Anti-snap cylinders — prevent the most common UPVC door attack (lock snapping). Typically £30-£70 to upgrade per door.
• Sash-jammer / hinge-side bolts — prevent doors being kicked open. £15-£35 each.
• Door chain or limiter — for answering the door without fully opening. £15-£40 fitted.
• BS 3621 mortice deadlock on timber external doors — required by most UK insurance policies; absent or non-compliant locks may invalidate cover.
• Letterbox restrictor — prevents key fishing through letterbox. £15-£40.

Things people often miss

• Insurance compliance — most UK home insurance policies require specific lock standards (BS 3621 for timber, anti-snap cylinders for UPVC). Check policy before specifying upgrades.
• Re-keying after moving in — when you buy a property, the previous owners' contractors, builders, cleaners may all have had keys. Re-keying or full lock change is a small price for security.
• Smart lock backup — most smart locks have a physical key backup. Make sure you keep this somewhere accessible — battery or system failure shouldn't lock you out.
• Sash-side fittings on UPVC — half of UPVC door security is in the multi-point lock; the other half is in the hinges and the way the door fits the frame. Bent or worn UPVC frames undermine even premium locks.
• Lost key vs broken key — broken keys stuck in a lock often need professional extraction without damaging the cylinder. £40-£90 callout typical.
• Period homes — listed buildings often need period-appropriate hinges and locks (Suffolk latches, butt hinges in cast iron, etc.). Specialist suppliers like Willow & Stone or Croft Architectural carry these.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A locksmith or experienced carpenter handles hinge and lock replacement quickly. For security-sensitive work (post break-in, after losing keys), a Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) certified locksmith provides assurance of quality and ethics.