Lock installation
Lock Installation in Boston
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 Boston?
Big Locksmiths Boston supplies and fits new locks on doors, windows, outbuildings and gates across Boston, including British Standard and high-security locks where an insurer asks for them.
Four situations bring most people here: a door with no lock or only one, an upgrade to meet an insurance requirement, a new or replacement door that needs locks fitted, and an internal room, office, outbuilding or gate that needs securing. There is no call-out charge.
Fitting a New Lock, or Replacing an Existing One: Which?
People often ask for a lock to be "changed" when they need a new one fitted. Fitting is adding a lock to a door that had none, or upgrading to a different type or standard. Replacing is swapping an existing lock for one of the same kind.
Needing a lock fitted
Common reasons to book one: - a secondary lock for a French or patio door - an internal room, office, shed, outbuilding or side gate that needs securing - a new, replacement or newly hung door - an upgrade to an anti-snap or British Standard lock - a door with no lock, or only a nightlatch where a deadlock is also wanted by the insurer
A new lock may be appropriate wherever a door lacks suitable locking hardware, needs another lock or calls for key control. New doors can need a compatible cylinder, lock, handles or other hardware too. We begin with the door, its setting and its everyday use, and both door and frame must be checked to see which lock types and fitting positions may be right. The door's material, thickness, construction and purpose decide the specification. Where the layout allows and a further locking point is needed, an additional lock may be fitted, with the existing hardware, fitting space and any written security requirements reviewed first. We assess the complete door and lock arrangement rather than the lock on its own.
Needing a lock replaced instead
Lost or stolen keys, moving house, a failing lock and forced entry damage are replacement work; see our lock replacement page for those.
Your Lock and Your Insurance Requirements: Does It Meet Them?
Plenty of locks that look strong would not satisfy the policy they are meant to meet. The owners usually have no idea, because they have never been told what to look for.
Does your mortice lock carry the standard?
Many people believe five levers means BS 3621. It does not: a five-lever description alone does not confirm that a mortice lock meets BS 3621, and generic five-lever locks are widely sold without certification, often inherited from a previous owner. On the edge of the door, check the faceplate for a kitemark alongside the BS number. Go by the certification and product markings, as the number of levers alone does not confirm that a lock meets BS 3621.
Does your cylinder carry a rating?
On uPVC and composite doors, a generic euro cylinder can be snapped, and that is a common line of attack. A range of sizes and security ratings is available for euro cylinders. Depending on the product, certification may include a TS 007 star rating or an SS 312 Diamond rating, so check the cylinder face for a star or Diamond mark. Rating aside, the cylinder must be compatible with the lock and correctly sized for the door, and its security depends on the handles, protective hardware and the whole locking system as well.
Does the lock suit the door?
A lock appropriate for one door may not be appropriate for another, because the right choice depends on construction, location, intended use and the required method of entry and exit. Before discussing options we establish: - the material: timber, uPVC, composite or aluminium - external or internal use - thickness, frame and existing preparation - how users come in and go out - whether the need is an additional lock or a complete locking arrangement
These details point to the lock types, sizes and fitting methods that may be suitable. Product selection should follow a review of instructions provided in writing by an insurer, landlord or managing agent.
| Standard or rating | What it usually indicates | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| BS 3621 | Tested thief-resistant single-point lock, keyed on both the inside and outside | Associated with suitable external timber doors |
| BS 8621 | Tested thief-resistant single-point lock, keyed outside, keyless exit inside | May be relevant to doors where keyless egress is required |
| TS 007 / SS 312 | Security ratings for cylinders and related door hardware | The required rating turns on the door and any written requirements |
The applicable option depends on the full door arrangement and how the property is used. There are further considerations for fire doors, flat entrances and communal doors, which the following section covers.
Have written security requirements? Send us the wording in advance of the installation. From that wording we can discuss products that may suit the specification, though confirmation that the proposed option satisfies the requirement must come from your insurer, landlord or managing agent. The anti-snap locks guide and our uPVC door locks page explain cylinders further.
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.
Locksmith pricing
What Affects the Cost of a New Lock Being Fitted
Two lock jobs can look similar and still cost different amounts, because the price follows the lock, the door and the preparation involved. We never charge a call-out, and we give you a price 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.
Lock selected. The cost takes account of the type and size, the security rating and any extra hardware.
Door preparation. Material, existing openings and any work on the door or frame matter here. A door with no existing provision for the lock takes longer than a swap, since it has to be prepared before anything is fitted.
Installation requirements. The number of locks and doors, the complexity of the fitting and the appointment conditions, such as the time of day.
For an accurate price, describe your requirements and, if you can, supply images showing the door and the hardware currently fitted. Here is what to expect from choosing the lock to testing the finished job: - Describe the door, its material, location and intended use. - Share photos of the door, frame and hardware, and any written requirements you hold. - We discuss suitable options and price the job on the call from your description. - An inspection follows if required. - The call price holds unless the job differs on site; before work starts, we explain any change and you approve all three: specification, work and price. - The lock is fitted where agreed, and the lock, keys, relevant hardware and door operation are tested.
What affects the cost?
Service required, time of attendance, lock and door type, labour and parts.
Locks We Fit on Boston Properties
Lock installation covers far more than front doors. In each case the appropriate lock depends on what the door is made of, how much fitting space there is, how it needs to be operated and whether any security requirement has been confirmed.
The mortice deadlock
Set into the door edge, mortice deadlocks and sashlocks suit suitable timber doors, and certified versions exist where a recognised standard is required. Initial checks are needed to establish the door's thickness and construction and assess its frame and the fitting position. Fitting one where there was none means cutting the door, which is skilled work.
Nightlatches and rim locks
Fitted to the surface on the inside of a suitable door, nightlatches (the Yale-style lock) come in models with different entry, exit and deadlocking options. Whether one should be the primary or additional lock depends on the door, product specification and intended use; on final exit doors, a mortice deadlock usually goes alongside it.
Euro cylinders and upgrading to anti-snap
These work within compatible lock cases and multipoint systems, which lock uPVC, composite and some aluminium or timber doors at several points. Correct sizing and compatibility with the lock and protective hardware are essential, and various security ratings can be supplied where required. We can assess compatible cylinders, handles and locking parts in an existing multipoint system, with the scope set by the door design and component compatibility.
Gate, outbuilding and internal locks
Key-operated or privacy locks can be fitted to bedrooms, offices, stockrooms and stores. The right one depends on construction, frequency of use, the privacy needed and who should have a key. A locked side gate or shed also protects a rear door that is out of sight.
The window locks
Under some policies, accessible windows need key-operated locks.
Give us the door details, its location and what needs securing on the call, and we will discuss options and price the job. The price stays as given unless the work differs on site; we explain any change before work starts. See window locks, compare common door lock types and.
Locksmith pricing
How Does the Job Work?
Every installation follows the same three steps.
The closed-door part of the test stops an unnoticed alignment issue from straining your new lock. To begin, contact us.
Start with the door.
Tell us what kind of door it is, where it is and what you are trying to secure, along with any written requirements you have received.
Choose and price.
We explain the options and price the job on the call using your description; any inspection follows, and that price holds unless the job differs on site, with changes explained before any work begins.
Keys and record.
You are given the keys and a record of what was fitted, ready to file with your policy.
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.
Lock Fitting Across Boston
Locks are fitted for homeowners, landlords, letting agents and business premises across Boston, by appointment rather than as an emergency response.
Booked visits cover Skirbeck, Wyberton, Trinity, Bargate, Staniland and Haven Village, with every postcode in PE21 and the parts of PE20 around Boston included. Where an insurance policy sets requirements, the visit can start with a look at the locks already on the door. About 46% of Boston households rent, 25.2% privately and 20.9% from a social landlord (Census 2021, ONS), so many jobs are for landlords and agents fitting locks to a standard.
See all areas we cover.
Emergency and planned locksmith services
Book a Lock Fitting in Boston
Ring 01205 601044 to book a time that suits you, and while the technician is there they can check the existing locks against what your policy asks for. There is no call-out charge, and you are given the price before work starts.
- Phone: 01205 601044
- Booked work: Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm
01205 601044
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my lock meets my insurance policy?
It comes down to two things: what is stamped on the lock and what your policy says. A certified mortice lock carries a kitemark and BS number on its faceplate, and a rated cylinder shows a star or Diamond mark on its face. If neither is present, do not rely on the lock meeting the standard. Then compare it with the security conditions in your policy.
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?
Yes. The main difference from a replacement is preparation: the door has to be cut for a mortice lock or bored for a cylinder, depending on what is being fitted and what the door is made of. That adds time compared with swapping an existing lock. Composite doors need particular care, as they are easy to damage, which is why this is not a DIY job.
What is the difference between BS 3621 and BS 8621?
Think of it as key-in, key-out versus key-in, free-out. BS 3621 is the standard for thief-resistant single-point locks operated by key from both sides. BS 8621 is for thief-resistant single-point locks operated by key from outside, with keyless exit from inside, important where people must escape a flat or HMO. PAS 3621 is the equivalent for multipoint locks on uPVC and composite doors. To establish which one is suitable, consider the door and how it is used, together with the fire strategy and means of escape.
Why do different insurers ask for different locks?
Insurers are not bound by one shared standard. Many of the largest UK insurers take guidance from RISCAuthority, yet each sets its own policy conditions, which explains why the same house could face different requirements with different insurers. Look at the security section of your policy, ask your insurer to confirm anything you are unsure about, and pass the wording on so we can discuss products that may match.
Will you give me proof of what was fitted?
If you ever have to claim, the insurer may ask what locks were on the doors and whether they met the policy, and being able to show a written record is far better than relying on memory.
Should I buy the lock myself and just pay you to fit it?
We would usually advise against it. Share the door details and any policy wording, and we can recommend a lock that may meet the requirement before you buy anything.
How much does it cost to have a new lock fitted in Boston?
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 a lock into a door with no existing provision takes longer than swapping like for like. Every 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 01205 601044, tell us what has happened and receive a current arrival estimate.