Lock installation
Lock Installation in Bournemouth
Call with your postcode for a current arrival estimate.
- 24-hour emergency cover
- No call-out charge
- Price agreed before work starts
Need a New Lock Fitted in Bournemouth?
HD Locksmiths Bournemouth supplies and fits new locks on doors, windows, outbuildings and gates across Bournemouth, including British Standard and high-security locks for insurance compliance.
People come for four reasons: a door with no lock or only one, an upgrade to satisfy an insurer, a new or replacement door that needs locks, and an internal room, office, outbuilding or gate to secure. There is no call-out charge.
Fitting a New Lock or Replacing an Existing One?
If you need a lock fitted
Yes, if the door has no lock in that position or you want a different type or a higher standard. A replacement, by contrast, swaps an existing lock for a like-for-like model. Lock installation in Bournemouth usually covers: - doors with no lock, or with only a nightlatch where the policy also asks for a deadlock - upgrades to British Standard or anti-snap locks - newly hung, new or replacement doors - sheds, outbuildings, side gates, offices and internal rooms - additional locks on French or patio doors
A new lock may make sense when a door has no suitable locking hardware, needs one more lock, or requires access by key. Fitting a new door can mean it also needs a compatible lock, cylinder, handles or other hardware. Before discussing options, we look at the door, its position and how it will be used, then check the door and frame, which decides which lock types and fitting positions may be appropriate, and the specification rests on the material, thickness, construction and intended use. An additional lock may be added when the door's configuration allows it and another locking point is needed; the existing hardware, available space and any written security requirements are reviewed before a recommendation. Everything about the door and its locking arrangement is taken into account, not the lock alone.
When you need a lock replaced instead
Lost or stolen keys, a recent move, a worn lock or a forced door normally need a straight swap, handled by our lock replacement service.
BS 3621, BS 8621 and PAS 3621: Which Standard Applies to a Door Like Yours?
The standard that applies is decided by the door, the way people leave the building and the wording of your policy.
| Standard | How you get out | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| BS 3621 | With a key, the same as getting in | Timber final exit doors |
| BS 8621 | With a thumbturn, no key needed | Flats, HMOs and other escape routes |
| PAS 3621 | Equivalent standard for multipoint systems | uPVC and composite doors |
BSI certifies locks against these standards; insurers decide which one they want, so "insurance approved" is a shorthand rather than a guarantee. No single standard is used by every insurer. Many of the largest UK insurers take their lead from RISCAuthority guidance, but each sets its own policy conditions, which explains why two similar houses can have different requirements. Some policies specify a standard, others do not, so check your wording.
If the door is a fire door, flat entrance or communal door The lock has to be compatible with the door's fire-safety and escape requirements. It must not prevent the door closing correctly, and it must not affect the door's ability to resist fire and smoke. Specifically, the work must protect: - resistance to fire and smoke - the door, frame and essential seals - effective self-closing operation - keyless exit where it is required - safe access for other people in the building
Approval may be required for doors in rented or leasehold properties, flats in managed buildings, communal entrances and shared areas, and designated fire or escape-route doors. Where things are unclear, guidance from a competent fire-safety professional may be needed.
Is Your Lock Actually Meeting Your Insurance Requirements?
"Insurance approved" is a phrase people attach to their locks without ever checking it. Most believe they are covered, and a meaningful number are not.
Two quick checks you can do now
Mortice locks on timber doors. Read the faceplate on the edge of the door: a kitemark and BS number should be stamped on it. A five-lever description alone does not confirm that a mortice lock meets BS 3621, and lots of generic five-lever locks lack any certification, often fitted before you moved in. Trust the certification and product markings over the lever count; the number of levers alone does not confirm that a lock meets BS 3621.
Euro cylinders on uPVC and composite doors. Look at the cylinder face for a star rating or Diamond mark. A basic cylinder resists snapping poorly, and snapping is a common attack on these doors. Cylinders are produced in various sizes and security ratings, and depending on the product, certification may include a TS 007 star rating or an SS 312 Diamond rating. It must also be compatible with the lock and sized correctly for the door, with its security considered alongside the handles, protective hardware and the full locking system.
Before we suggest a lock
Which lock is right depends on the door's construction, location, intended use and how people need to come and go, so a lock that suits one door may not suit another. We take into account whether the door is timber, uPVC, composite or aluminium, whether it is external or internal, its thickness, frame and existing preparation, how users need to enter and leave, and whether an additional lock or a complete locking arrangement is required. Those details help establish which lock types, sizes and fitting methods may be suitable, and any written instructions from an insurer, landlord or managing agent should be reviewed before the product is chosen.
| Standard or rating | Broadly indicates | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BS 3621 | Tested, thief-resistant single-point lock using a key from both sides | Commonly connected with suitable external timber doors |
| BS 8621 | Tested, thief-resistant single-point lock using a key outside, with keyless exit inside | May be relevant where egress without a key is required |
| TS 007 / SS 312 | Ratings for cylinders and connected door hardware | The rating depends on the door and any documented requirement |
What applies depends on the complete door arrangement and how the property is used. The following section explains the extra consideration needed for fire doors, flat entrances and communal doors.
Have you received a security requirement in writing from someone? Send it to us before the installation. We can suggest options that may match what the specification states, and your insurer, landlord or managing agent must then confirm that the proposal meets their requirement. For more on cylinders, see our anti-snap locks guide and uPVC door locks page.
The Locks We Fit on Bournemouth Properties
From timber front doors to garden gates, the lock we suggest in Bournemouth homes is driven by the door material, fitting space, method of operation and any confirmed security requirement. Below are the main types we fit.
Anti-snap upgrades and euro cylinders
Common on uPVC, composite and some aluminium or timber doors, euro cylinders operate within compatible lock cases and multipoint systems, which secure the door at more than one position. The cylinder has to be correctly sized and compatible with the lock and protective hardware, with a range of security ratings where one is required. We can assess cylinders, handles and locking components used in an existing multipoint system; what can be done depends on the door's design and the compatibility of replacement components.
Mortice deadlocks
A mortice lock is set into the edge of a suitable timber door. Deadlocks and sashlocks are among the available options, with certified products also offered where a recognised standard is required. We check door thickness, construction, frame and fitting position before fitting, because forming the pocket is skilled work.
Nightlatch and rim locks
The familiar Yale-type nightlatch is surface-mounted inside the door. Models vary in entry, exit and deadlocking functions. Whether it is right as a primary or additional lock depends on the door, the product and its use; final exit doors usually have a mortice deadlock as well.
Internal and outbuilding locks, plus gate locks
Key-operated or privacy locks can go on bedrooms, offices, stockrooms and storage areas, depending on construction, frequency of use, privacy and who needs key access. Gates and outbuildings can screen a rear door, so they deserve a lock.
Window locks
Accessible windows, particularly on the ground floor, may need key-operated locks under some policies.
Tell us about the door, its location and what needs securing when you call; we discuss options and give a price from those details, which holds unless the job differs on site, with any change explained before any work begins. Visit window locks, compare common types of door locks or.
The Job: How It Works
Booking a lock fitting involves three simple stages.
- Let us know what the door is, where it sits, what you want to secure and whether your insurer has asked for anything specific, sending any written requirements you have.
- Together we choose a suitable lock and price the job during the call from your description; an inspection can follow if needed, and the price holds unless the job differs on site, with any change explained before work begins.
- Before we leave, you get the keys and a record of exactly what was fitted.
Cycling the lock in both positions is a deliberate check: it shows up alignment problems that could otherwise strain the lock from its first week.
Locksmith pricing
Proof of What We Fitted, for Your Insurer
Why a record matters
After a break-in, your insurer may ask what locks were on the doors and whether they met the policy. A spoken assurance proves nothing; a written record of the installation does. It also makes future maintenance, sourcing replacement parts and keeping property documents straightforward.
What you receive
- Lock details, being the available information about the lock, cylinder or hardware that was fitted
- Keys and operation, with the supplied keys handed over and the lock's operation checked on completion
Put it in the same place as your insurance policy.
Locksmith pricing
The Cost of Fitting a New Lock: What Affects It
Three things drive the cost of a new lock: the lock itself, the door it goes into, and the preparation that door needs. Whatever the job, the call-out is free and the price is given to you on the call. You pay for the work carried out, any parts needed, and VAT. Rates outside Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, are higher, but the call-out itself is never charged.
The cost factors
- The lock you choose, including its type, size, security rating and any additional hardware.
- The door, meaning its material, the openings already in it and any work on the door or frame. Fitting where nothing existed before takes longer than swapping a lock, since the door must be prepared first.
- The installation, covering the number of locks and doors, the complexity of fitting and the appointment time.
How a fitting is priced and done
Here is the path from first call to tested lock. Describe the door, its material, where it is and how it is used, and send photographs of the door, frame and current hardware where possible, together with any written requirements. We discuss options that may suit and price the job on the call from the details you give. If needed, an inspection follows; the price holds unless the job differs on site, with any change explained and the specification and work agreed before work starts. The lock goes into the agreed position, and the lock, keys, relevant hardware and door operation are tested at the end.
Already purchased a lock? Tell us what it is.
Lock Fitting Across Bournemouth
Locks are fitted for homeowners, landlords, letting agents and business premises across Bournemouth, by appointment, with a visit that can include a look at the security already on the door.
Appointments cover Boscombe, Springbourne, Winton, Pokesdown, Charminster and Moordown, and every postcode in the BH1 to BH11 districts and the parts of BH13 around Bournemouth. Owners are 55.4% of Bournemouth households, with 33.5% renting privately and 10.4% from a social landlord (Census 2021, ONS), so landlord and agent bookings are common.
See all areas we cover.
Emergency and planned locksmith services
Book a Lock Fitting in Bournemouth
Ring 01202 935089 to arrange a time, and the technician can check the locks already on the door against what your insurance policy asks for. There is no call-out charge, and the price is given before work starts.
- Phone: 01202 935089
- Booked work: Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm
01202 935089
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my lock meets my insurance policy?
Check the markings, not the look of the lock. On a timber door, the faceplate on the door edge should show a kitemark and a BS number; on a uPVC or composite door, the cylinder face should carry a star rating or Diamond mark. With no marking, you cannot treat the lock as meeting the standard. Then read the security section of your policy to see what it actually asks for.
I have a five-lever lock. Is that enough?
It may not be. A lock described as five-lever does not automatically meet BS 3621, because the lever count does not confirm certification. Generic versions sold for DIY fitting frequently lack the kitemark, and a lot of homes inherited one from a previous owner. The faceplate on the door edge is where to look: the kitemark and BS number are what matter.
Can you fit a lock to a door that does not have one?
We can. The door has to be prepared before the lock goes in, which normally means cutting a mortice pocket or boring holes for a cylinder, depending on the lock chosen and the door. That makes it a longer job than a straight swap. It is skilled work, especially on composite doors, which can be damaged easily if cut carelessly.
What is the difference between BS 3621 and BS 8621?
The difference is how you get out. A BS 3621 lock needs a key from inside and outside; it covers thief-resistant single-point locks keyed on both sides. A BS 8621 lock is keyed from outside but has keyless exit from inside, typically a thumbturn, suiting flats, HMOs and escape routes. PAS 3621 applies to multipoint locks on uPVC and composite doors. Which applies depends on the door, how the property is used, its fire strategy and means of escape.
Why do different insurers ask for different locks?
Because there is no single standard every UK insurer follows. Many of the largest insurers take guidance from RISCAuthority, but each one sets its own policy conditions, so two similar houses can be asked for different locks. Read the security section of your policy wording, and if anything is unclear, ask your insurer to confirm in writing. Send us that wording and we can discuss products that may match it.
Will you give me proof of what was fitted?
Yes, in writing.
Should I buy the lock myself and just pay you to fit it?
You can ask, but it often works out as a false economy. We would rather advise on the right lock for the door and your policy before anything is bought.
How much does it cost to have a new lock fitted in Bournemouth?
It depends on whether the door is already prepared or needs cutting, the lock type and security rating, the door material, how many doors there are and the time of day. Fitting where there was no lock takes longer than swapping like for like. Each job is priced on the call from what you describe, and if anything on site changes that price you are told before any work begins.
Still have a question or need urgent assistance? Call 01202 935089, tell us what has happened and receive a current arrival estimate.