Home/Door won’t lock
Door won’t lock? Tell me what happens when you try
If your door closes but won’t lock, the problem isn’t always the lock itself. The door may be out of line, or a handle or locking part may be failing.
Google reviews5.0★★★★★Based on 55 reviewsWhat it usually costs
Door alignment£45–£65
Adjusting hinges and keeps, without replacement parts.
No call-out fee. Same price day or night. Cost agreed before I start.
Tell me what happens when you turn the key or lift the handle. I’ll inspect the door and agree the repair and cost with you.
What I need to know
Does the key turn at all? Does the handle lift normally? Has the door started catching, or has something suddenly changed? Tell me what you’ve noticed without forcing the handle or key to make it work.
You don’t need to decide whether it’s the cylinder, gearbox or alignment. That is what the inspection is for. If the door is already stuck shut, use the door-won’t-open page or ring me.
Which part has failed?
You don’t need to know before you ring. Tell me what the key and handle are doing; these are the usual prices for each part, and I check the door before recommending anything.
A recent job · Longton
Door wouldn’t lock in Longton: adjusted, no new parts
A real job from my records, start to finish. No names or addresses; the price is what the customer paid.
- 1
What was wrong
The homeowner could lock their uPVC door while it was open, but the key wouldn’t turn properly once it was closed. They were worried the locking mechanism needed replacing.
- 2
What I found
The door had dropped slightly, so the locking points no longer lined up with the frame. The mechanism itself was working correctly.
- 3
What I did
I adjusted the hinges and keeps, then tested the handle and key again and again with the door closed.
- 4
The result
The door closed and locked smoothly, without being lifted or pulled into place. No replacement parts were needed.
- 5
What this customer paid
Receipt · Longton
Alignment and checks.
Total for this job£55
Door alignment usually costs £45–£65. Your door is checked first, and the price agreed before I start. See all prices →
Does your door lock when it’s open but struggle when it’s closed? Tell me what happens and I’ll tell you whether an adjustment might sort it.
Questions about door won’t lock
Short answers here. Ring if yours isn’t covered.
Adjustment or replacement?
A door alignment job adjusts the hinges and keeps without replacing parts. The usual price is £45–£65. A very small fix may cost less or carry no charge; that depends on its complexity and the time involved, not simply whether parts are used. I’ll assess it when I arrive and agree the scope and price before working.
If a part has failed, I explain what it does and why it needs attention. A gearbox replacement is usually £150–£180; a full mechanism replacement is usually £180–£250, supplied and fitted.
Does it happen more in warm weather?
I’ve dealt with composite doors that start snagging as they move in hot weather. They may need an adjustment rather than a replacement lock. Weather is one possible factor, though; it doesn’t establish the cause of every stiff door.
Can I leave it until later?
If you can’t secure your home, ring me to discuss it. If the door still locks but has become difficult to use, arranging a check gives us a chance to find the problem before it becomes a lockout. I can’t promise how long a struggling part will keep working.
There’s no call-out fee, and prices are unchanged out of hours. All my work carries a 12-month parts-and-labour guarantee.
Call Brett on 07456 807068. Start with your location and whether the door is currently secure.
Other jobs I do
Every price is agreed with you before I start, with no call-out fee.
Gearbox replacementHandle spinning or the door won’t lock? It’s usually the gearbox.Typical price£150–£180
uPVC mechanismsWhen the whole multipoint lock has failed, a full replacement.Typical price£180–£250
Lock changesMoved in, lost a key or the lock is stiff. Cylinder and keys fitted.Typical price£80–£110Urgent
Locked out, or can’t lock up?
Ring me now. I’m open 24 hours, there’s no call-out fee, and getting you in is £65 at any hour.
07456 807068Urgent? Ring now Or WhatsApp me a photoCan wait
A repair, a lock change or a key safe?
Pick a day and a time that suits you, and I’ll ring you to confirm. The price is agreed before I start.
Plan a visitCan wait? Pick a day