Lock Fitting
LOCK FITTING
What locks Do I Need?
Many houses in Birmingham
have a UPVC / plastic style door. If you have a UPVC or plastic door, then this means you will have a cylinder or barrel lock. If you have a wooden door, you probably have a mortice-type lock or nightlatch. Some more modern wooden doors that utilise multiple locking points up and down the door may be operated by a euro cylinder barrel instead of a smaller mortice lock with a single bolt.
See the ‘Lock Types’ page if you are unsure or get in touch with us for assistance. You can contact our team via phone and chat with us about your security needs. We provide a free locksmith security survey and free quotes in East Birmingham and Solihull, on scheduled daytime appointments (available Monday to Friday.)
"The work carried out was exceptional and was completed to a high standard. Ewan went the extra mile and I would not hesitate to call him again. I can not recommend him enough. It was a pleasure to meet him." Customer in Birmingham, July 2020
Why The Quality Of Your Locks IS Important
To make your policy valid, many home insurers insist upon the use of ‘British Standard’ locks that display the kite-mark logo. On wooden doors the relevant standard is British Standard 3621:2007 (where a mortice lock is fitted). They guarantee a minimum standard of locking security.
Cheap locks give little protection against a violent, physical attack and are often prone to mechanical malfunction. A failed lock will result in you being locked-out of - or into - your home at an inconvenient time (is there ever a convenient time?), or could even leave your home insecure whilst you arrange for it to be repaired.
Top quality locks will greatly exceed British Standard, offering increased protection against non-traditional threats such as lock snapping
- also known as cylinder snapping. Lock snapping allows criminals to very easily break the cylinder of a UPVC/plastic door in half and quickly and quietly gain entry to a property.
Here at CraftLock, we offer a variety of British Standard locks that are also anti-snap. The very best locks, however, which meet the 3 Star/ TS-007 standards, are generally not available in shops or DIY stores – and so difficult for the average homeowner to get. The highest technological standard at present is generally considered by locksmiths to be the Sold Secure 'Diamond' Standard. We can fit all of these for you.
There is no comparison between general DIY store locks and security equipment, and the items provided by a locksmith to secure your home. If you want to protect yourself and your family from intrusion and keep your valuables safe, your best bet is to use a locksmith.
GET SUPERIOR LOCKS
Our most basic locks up to the highest security premium items are all carefully chosen for reliability and robust security. There are many sub-standard products that do not last long once in use, but we take your safety and security seriously, we won't have our products letting you down.
Locks For Flats – Euro Cylinder Operated Mortice Deadlocks
Many flats - particularly around the City Centre and Edgbaston - are provided with only the most basic of locks, and often only one lock where the type of door really demands two locks to be adequately safe. Given the high level of insecurity - and subsequent abuse - of shared spaces in apartment buildings and complexes, many owners and tenants are keen to improve their current locks or install brand-new ones.
MAKE MY FLAT SAFE
Here at CraftLock Ltd, we have provided many additional locks as fresh installations to wooden doors for flats, only utilising items that conform to the British Standard 8621. This standard delivers maximum security from an insurance standpoint, but also allows for the critical safety aspect of security items fitted to single-exit dwellings in large buildings.
We recommend and fit BS8621 euro cylinder mortice deadlocks for your security and quick escape in the event of an emergency. We're also happy to carry out such work on behalf of landlords and estate agents and we will liaise with your tenants to get the job done. When changing a lock for your flat, our team will sometimes recommend the installation of fire-resistant styles and materials. This is case dependant, based on what is already in place and what your individual circumstances call for.
We recommend and fit BS8621 euro cylinder mortice deadlocks for your security and quick escape in the event of an emergency. We're also happy to carry out such work on behalf of landlords and estate agents and we will liaise with your tenants to get the job done. When changing a lock for your flat, our team will sometimes recommend the installation of fire-resistant styles and materials. This is case dependant, based on what is already in place and what your individual circumstances call for.
Birmingham landlords and tenants will also benefit from the extreme key-copy protection eurocylinder products available - these give peace of mind that no illicit copies of your keys can be in the wrong hands. As an Approved Company Member of the Master Locksmiths Association you can trust CraftLock Ltd to handle your keys and ensure that your high security system is safe from covert interference: https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/find-a-locksmith/craftlock-ltd/
MLA APPROVED LOCKSMITH BIRMINGHAM
CraftLock Ltd is an Approved Company of the Master Locksmiths Association and is also vetted by Checkatrade: https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/Craftlock/reviews
"From Ewan Clerk's initial visit to assess the job, until completion of the work, he was the complete professional. Easy to get on with, meticulous in his workmanship and a member of the Master Locksmith's Association. Nothing was too much trouble, and he was fully compliant with Covid-19 safety requirements. I now carry Ewan's business card with me at all times, safe in the knowledge that should any emergency with a lock occur in the future, help is at hand. I thoroughly recommend Ewan Clerk and Craftlock Ltd." Customer in Birmingham, August 2020
common questions about locksmith services
Do you have a call-out charge?
CraftLock Ltd locksmiths does not operate a call-out charge for private customers, meaning there is no hidden extra charge just for turning up. In most cases we offer free quotation visits too. We usually have a minimum labour charge of £70 for when we have visited and carried out any form of work. Some commercial invoices are broken down into a call-out charge based upon location plus an hourly labour rate but this amounts
to roughly the same as it would otherwise be for private customers. We will however charge commercial customers a call-out where an appointment has failed but it is not the fault of the locksmith (e.g. an agent of the commercial client has failed to turn up). Some locksmith companies will quote prices over the telephone but may not tell you of very significant call-out charges or add on VAT when you did not expect it. CraftLock Ltd does not charge VAT. We are always open and honest about the prices you should expect to pay.
What is your response time?
As a small independent company, we cannot be in two places at once. We can usually fit in your emergency at some point in our day so please do get in touch, leave a detailed message and we will always get back to you. CraftLock Ltd is based in Yardley, Birmingham and can offer a swift response time to the surrounding area. We can usually be in Olton or Solihull within 30-40 minutes of your call if we are not already at work elsewhere. Please remember that some unscrupulous locksmith companies will promise to be with you very quickly in order to get your business, even when they are in reality too busy to see you. You are likely to wait just as long if not longer for national call-centres as they still rely on only one or two local sub-contracted maintenance workers. If you make an arrangement with CraftLock Ltd you can rely on us to look after you and not mess you around.
Are your parts guaranteed?
We work extremely hard to test out and source the best lock products. It can sometimes be extremely difficult to find quality and durable locks to fit every situation, but we know how important your security is and we do everything we can to give you safe security items that you can rely on. All products come with a 2 year guarantee, some with longer than that. We intend to look after you.
How much does a locksmith in Solihull cost?
CraftLock Ltd's basic locksmith services start at £70 with no VAT chargeable and no call-out chargeable - prices offered are all-in with no hidden extras (remember to ask when comparing quotes if there is an additional call-out charge or VAT to be added). A written quote will be provided to you before beginning any work. Average jobs including parts are around £120, up to around £250 for some of the most complex uPVC door repairs. Rogue locksmiths will offer very cheap prices online and over the telephone but you may end up paying ten times as much, see the guidance from the MLA: https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/red-flags-hiring-a-locksmith/
CraftLock Ltd's basic locksmith services start at £70 with no VAT chargeable and no call-out chargeable - prices offered are all-in with no hidden extras (remember to ask when comparing quotes if there is an additional call-out charge or VAT to be added). A written quote will be provided to you before beginning any work. Average jobs including parts are around £120, up to around £250 for some of the most complex uPVC door repairs. Rogue locksmiths will offer very cheap prices online and over the telephone but you may end up paying ten times as much, see the guidance from the MLA: https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/red-flags-hiring-a-locksmith/
How much do anti-snap locks cost?
Sold-Secure Diamond Standard anti-snap locks cost £59 each from CraftLock Ltd (about the same or less than trade discount stores, which order to store from central warehouses) plus the cost of visiting you and fitting them which may be between £70 and £130 depending on the size of your house. The labour charge is a single charge to visit and carry out work at your house, not an extra charge on top of every lock. Anti-snap locks are also sometimes known as 'snap-proof' or 'snap-safe' locks.
Sold-Secure Diamond Standard anti-snap locks cost £59 each from CraftLock Ltd (about the same or less than trade discount stores, which order to store from central warehouses) plus the cost of visiting you and fitting them which may be between £70 and £130 depending on the size of your house. The labour charge is a single charge to visit and carry out work at your house, not an extra charge on top of every lock. Anti-snap locks are also sometimes known as 'snap-proof' or 'snap-safe' locks.
How do I look after my locks?
To maintain most locks CraftLock Ltd locksmith in Solihull and Birmingham recommends that you use WD40 Specialist Silicone Spray oil. For maintaining some high security anti-snap locks Birmingham residents should use microfine graphite powder. Not sure what to do? Just ask and we can have a chat about what you need help with and whatever you have in mind for improving security. See our dedicated page for maximum detail on lock maintenance: Lock Maintenance Page
To maintain most locks CraftLock Ltd locksmith in Solihull and Birmingham recommends that you use WD40 Specialist Silicone Spray oil. For maintaining some high security anti-snap locks Birmingham residents should use microfine graphite powder. Not sure what to do? Just ask and we can have a chat about what you need help with and whatever you have in mind for improving security. See our dedicated page for maximum detail on lock maintenance: Lock Maintenance Page
We are a local locksmith company serving Solihull & East Birmingham.
The Company goal is to provide quality workmanship alongside excellent customer service.
If you have any comments or would like more information, please get in touch. CraftLock Ltd are an Approved Company Member of the Master Locksmiths Association https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/find-a-locksmith/craftlock-ltd/
CONTACT
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9am- 5pm Monday-Sunday
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CraftLock Ltd. All rights reserved. Reg. No. 9346538. All content is original and copyright to CraftLock Ltd.