Locked out or a broken lock? A locksmith from your area, fast

Opening a door after a lockout costs € 75 to € 175 during the day, including call-out costs. Replacing a cylinder costs € 65-180 per cylinder, a complete lock € 95-250, burglary damage repair € 150-450. In the evening, at night and at weekends a surcharge of roughly 50-100% applies. Always ask for the total price upfront.

Before the locksmith sets off, ask for one fixed total price: including call-out costs, labour, surcharge and VAT. A reliable company simply states it on the phone and sticks to it. Be wary of prices that are only set 'on site' and of pressure to pay cash immediately. We expect affiliated locksmiths to give a total price upfront — companies that fail to do so are removed from the platform.

There is no legally protected quality mark for locksmiths — anyone may use the title. Product certifications do exist: SKG stars on locks and hardware, and the Police Quality Mark for Safe Living (PKVW) for the home as a whole. So check the company itself: Chamber of Commerce registration, insurance and a total price upfront. That is exactly the check we run before a locksmith receives requests.

For a lockout or a home that no longer locks, affiliated locksmiths give your request priority and respond as soon as possible. For planned work — lock replacement, an upgrade — professionals also respond as soon as possible with a price indication, and you schedule the job at a time that suits you (day rate).

That depends on the situation. A slammed door (not locked) is usually opened without damage. If the deadbolt is on or the key has snapped off, the cylinder often has to be drilled open and then replaced. An honest locksmith tells you beforehand which method is needed and what the new cylinder costs.

A serious locksmith only opens doors for someone who can show they live there or are entitled to access — for example with ID, post in your name or a rental contract. Being asked for this is a good sign. If you cannot prove it on the spot, discuss beforehand what confirmation afterwards will suffice.

Outside office hours a surcharge of roughly 50-100% on the day rate applies; at night you are at the top of that range. Even then, always ask for the total price upfront. And honest advice: if you can safely sleep elsewhere, waiting until morning is sometimes tens of euros cheaper — a reliable locksmith will tell you so themselves.

Yes. Submitting a request costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Up to 3 locksmiths respond and you decide who to talk to — or no one, which is fine too. Prices and payment are arranged directly with the company.

Yes. We verify Chamber of Commerce registration and business liability insurance before a company receives requests, and we expect a total price upfront on every job. Companies with recurring complaints are removed from the platform.

For burglary damage, buildings or contents insurance often covers the repair — file a police report, take photos and keep the invoice. A lockout usually falls outside cover, though some home or assistance packages include a key service. Policies differ: check your terms before incurring costs.

SKG is the Dutch product certification for locks and hardware: 1 star stands for basic resistance, 2 stars for heavy and 3 stars for extra-heavy burglary resistance. For exterior doors, SKG** with anti-snap protection is the common advice; the Police Quality Mark for Safe Living (PKVW) sets SKG requirements for the home's whole shell. The stars are stamped on the lock or cylinder.

Your details are shared only with the (up to 3) locksmiths matched to your request. We never resell your data and automatically delete requests after the legal retention period. See our privacy policy.