When the old keys are the problem
Moving into a house on Southborough Common and wondering who else still has a key. A tenant moved out of your rental in Pembury and handed back one set, but you're not certain that's the only set. You've lost your keys somewhere between the high street and home. These situations don't feel like emergencies, but they do mean anyone with a copy of your old key can walk in. That's worth sorting properly.
Post-burglary is another common reason we get called out across the TN4 area. Once a door has been forced, even if the frame is repaired, the lock itself may be damaged internally in ways that aren't visible. Fitting something new gives you a clean start and, in many cases, satisfies your insurer at the same time.
What we actually do
We remove the old cylinder or multipoint gearbox, fit the replacement, check the door aligns and locks smoothly, and hand you the new keys. That's the job. We don't rekey existing hardware because a fresh cylinder with a known history is simply the better option.
On cylinders, we carry anti-snap, anti-bump and anti-pick options from Yale, ERA, Avocet ABS, Ultion and Mul-T-Lock. For most Southborough homes with uPVC doors, we'd look at a TS007 3-star rated cylinder as a minimum, which combines the cylinder itself with a hardened escutcheon and handle to earn the star rating your insurer may be asking for. If you need SS312 Diamond accredited products, we stock those too.
For uPVC doors with multipoint locking, gearbox failure is a separate issue from the cylinder. If your door isn't latching or the handle feels stiff, it's often the gearbox that needs replacing rather than, or as well as, the cylinder. We'll diagnose it on arrival.
The old keys are destroyed in front of you before we go. Not taken away, not disposed of later. Done there and then.
Pricing and how to book
We quote on the phone. Labour rate plus the cost of parts plus VAT, no hidden call-out fee layered on top. Parts vary depending on the cylinder grade and door type, so it genuinely helps to know your door material and whether you've had any trouble with the lock recently. Ultion and Mul-T-Lock cylinders sit at the higher end of the price range; ERA and Yale options are more modest. We'll tell you which fits your situation and what each will cost before we book anything in.
Most straightforward cylinder swaps on a single door take under an hour. We work across Southborough, High Brooms, Langton Green, Speldhurst, Hildenborough and into Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Same-day appointments are often possible for non-urgent work. Call us on 01892 575491 and we'll give you a straight answer on timing and cost.
What we cover
- Anti-snap, anti-pick cylinders supplied
- We fit while you watch
- Insurance-grade TS007 3-star options
- Old keys gone before we leave
How a typical job goes
You ring us
Tell us what's happening, what door, what brand of lock if you know. We'll give you our labour rates, estimated parts pricing and VAT on the call.
We turn up
We aim for under 30 minutes inside Southborough where possible. The engineer confirms what's needed and what it'll cost before any work starts.
Job done
Receipted with a breakdown of pricing and parts, and a 12-month guarantee on any parts we supplied and fitted.