Professional lock changes in Hampstead NW3. British Standard locks, anti-snap cylinders, UPVC specialists. Insurance-approved. Same-day service from £80.
Lock Change Services in Hampstead
Upgrading your locks is one of the most cost-effective home security improvements. Professional lock changes ensure your Hampstead property meets insurance requirements and protects against modern burglary methods.
Why Change Your Locks?
Moving into new property:
- Unknown who has keys
- Previous occupants, contractors, agents
- Essential security measure
- Cost: £80-180 per lock (usually 2-4 locks)
After burglary:
- Keys may have been stolen
- Existing locks compromised
- Upgrade to better security
- Insurance may require
- Cost: £150-400 for full property
Lost or stolen keys:
- Unknown who has access
- Cannot guarantee security
- Change all external locks
- Cost: £160-400 (2-4 locks)
Insurance requirements:
- BS3621 often required
- Anti-snap cylinders essential
- Five-lever mortice locks
- Cost: £100-150 per compliant lock
Security upgrade:
- Proactive security improvement
- Modern locks far superior
- Anti-snap technology
- Cost: £200-500 for full property upgrade
Types of Locks We Install
Cylinder locks (most common):
- Euro cylinder (UPVC doors, modern wooden doors)
- Anti-snap essential (£40-80)
- British Standard (£50-100)
- Restricted keyway (£60-120)
- Our recommendation: Anti-snap BS cylinder (£50-80)
Mortice locks (wooden doors):
- 5-lever minimum
- British Standard BS3621
- Insurance approved
- Deadlock or sash lock
- Cost: £80-150 installed
Rim locks (Yale-type):
- Common on older properties
- Auto-deadlocking versions available
- British Standard options
- Cost: £80-130 installed
Multi-point locks (UPVC doors):
- Multiple locking points
- Whole mechanism may need replacement
- Specialist knowledge required
- Cost: £120-250 installed
British Standard BS3621
What is it?:
- Kitemark standard for locks
- Required by most home insurance
- Police approved
- Significantly better security than standard locks
Requirements:
- 5-lever minimum (mortice locks)
- Anti-pick, anti-drill features
- Certified by British Standards Institution
- Kitemark visible on lock
Cost difference:
- Standard lock: £60-90
- BS3621 lock: £100-150
- Small premium for significant security improvement
Anti-Snap Cylinders
Why essential:
- Standard cylinders vulnerable to snapping
- Most common burglary method
- Takes seconds to snap standard cylinder
- Anti-snap prevents this attack
How they work:
- Sacrificial break points
- Even if snapped, lock remains secure
- Tested to TS007 3-star standard
Cost:
- Standard cylinder: £20-35
- Anti-snap cylinder: £40-80
- Small investment prevents common burglary method
Lock Change Process
1. Assessment:
- Inspect existing locks
- Identify lock types needed
- Measure cylinders/locks
- Recommend security level
2. Lock selection:
- Appropriate security level
- British Standard if required
- Anti-snap cylinders
- Finish/style to match property
3. Installation:
- Remove old lock
- Prepare door if needed
- Install new lock
- Test operation
- Adjust and align
- Provide keys (usually 3-4)
4. Completion:
- Test all keys
- Demonstrate operation
- Security advice
- 12-month guarantee
- Keys labeled discreetly
Time required: 20-40 minutes per lock
Hampstead Property Considerations
Period properties:
- Discrete security upgrades
- Modern locks behind period furniture
- Specialist locks for original doors
- Conservation area compliance
Listed buildings:
- Sympathetic installations
- Cannot alter external appearance
- Internal security upgrades possible
- We understand restrictions
Apartment blocks:
- Building management approval
- Consistent appearance often required
- Master key systems
- We liaise with management
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*Last updated: January 2025. Lock change costs include labor and standard lock. Specialist or high-security locks additional. All installations guaranteed 12 months.*