24/7 · EX1 · DBS checked engineers
Lock Installation in Exeter
Need lock installation in Exeter? We dispatch day and night, 365 days a year and aim to reach you within 28 minutes. Fixed quote before work begins.
Other locksmith services in Exeter need lock changes, repairs, upgrades or commercial help instead?
All services in Exeter →The access-point count on an HMO property is not the same as the door count: shared bathrooms may not need cylinders, but separate bedsit access points and any communal fire-escape doors do. We walk the property on arrival to confirm the full access-point list before specifying cylinders — particularly on converted houses where the internal layout has been modified and the original door placement no longer maps cleanly to the tenancy structure.
On the day
Fitting day in Exeter — the five-step sequence
New locks go in against a defined sequence, not ad-hoc. Here's the order each of our engineers works through on a typical Exeter installation — the same on a terraced front door as on a new-build UPVC back door.
- 01
Confirm parts and measurements
Before any tools come out we walk through the hardware that's been ordered for your Exeter property — cylinder sizes, gearbox type where relevant, strike plate dimensions, and any fire or insurance ratings. If something's a size off, we reschedule rather than force the fit.
- 02
Prep door and frame
Existing furniture is removed, the door checked for square and for any swelling or drop on the hinges. On older EX1 stock the frame often needs a chisel adjustment at the keep; on new-build doors it's usually a clean lift and drop. Anything structural that's out of scope is flagged before we go further.
- 03
Fit the hardware
Cylinder, gearbox, multipoint strip, or mortice case goes in against the manufacturer's template. Fixings match the frame material — steel screws into softwood, self-tappers into aluminium, no-slip fixings into composite. Nothing is over-torqued; we map the access hierarchy before any fixing is committed to final torque.
- 04
Align and test
Every operation is tested with the door both open and closed — key in, key out, handle lifted, deadlock thrown, thumb-turn from inside. On a multipoint we test each hook and shoot-bolt independently before signing off. Anything that binds gets adjusted there and then, not "later".
- 05
Handover and keys
Keys are counted against the job card and handed over with a one-page written summary: what was fitted, the per-room cylinder spec noted, serial numbers where relevant, and a seven-day follow-up window. On insurance-graded installs the compliance paperwork lands by email the same day.
What we measure
Four measurements that decide the fit in Exeter
HMO and student-let access hierarchy: front door on a separate cylinder to individual rooms; consider a restricted keyway for front door if turnover is high and key duplication control is a requirement.
-
Door thickness
44 / 54 / 70 mm
Determines whether the standard cylinder length fits flush or needs a long-body variant.
-
Backset
45 / 60 / 70 mm
Distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the cylinder. Common on UK doors but not universal.
-
Euro cylinder length
30/30 → 45/55
Measured separately from each side of the door. Must sit flush — too proud and the cylinder is vulnerable to snapping.
-
Frame material
Timber · Composite · Aluminium
Exeter stock varies widely. Frame material dictates fixings, strike plate type, and the correct spec for the per-room cylinder.
- HMO regulations require that no previous tenant retains a working key after the tenancy ends — either replace the cylinder or use a restricted keyway that allows re-keying without a full cylinder swap.
- Per-room cylinders: standard euro barrel on uPVC internal doors; sash lock or nightlatch on timber internal doors. Measure both.
- Front-door master-key schemes in HMOs must be documented under the tenancy agreement — confirm with the landlord before fitting.
Pricing — what shifts it
What affects a Exeter lock installation price
Doing all rooms in a single visit is more cost-effective than returning for individual doors as each comes up. The labour saving across a whole property is usually enough to offset the parts cost difference between a restricted scheme and individual cylinders. We quote both so the numbers are visible before any decision is made. From £59.
- 01
New-fit vs like-for-like replacement
Fitting into an existing cut-out is cheaper than routing a new one. Period doors in Exeter often need a fresh cut; UPVC is almost always like-for-like.
- 02
Hardware tier
Standard cylinder sits at the base price; TS007 3-star anti-snap, BS3621 mortice, and restricted keyways each add to the parts cost.
- 03
Door condition
A square door on tight hinges fits fast. Drop at the hinge side, swelling, or a warped strike plate adds time — we flag this during the measurement call, not at the end.
- 04
Number of doors on the same visit
Fitting front, back, and garage side-door in one appointment is meaningfully cheaper than three separate visits across Exeter.
Lock Installation in Exeter — FAQ
Common questions about lock installation in Exeter.
Can you install a lock on a brand-new door?
Lock installation questions on HMO properties often start with changeover process: what happens at each tenancy end, which doors need attention, and whether the existing cylinders have enough rotation capacity left or need replacing before the next occupier moves in. Yes — this is one of our most common installation jobs in Exeter. Carpenters and joiners often hang the door and leave lock fitting to specialists. We measure the rebate, chisel for a BS3621 mortice case, fit the strike plate, and test through a full key cycle. Finished work looks factory-fit.
Can you keyed-alike multiple new locks?
Yes — if you want one key to open your front and rear doors, we supply keyed-alike cylinders on the most common profiles. Arrange at the survey stage so we bring matching parts. This works cleanly on UPVC euro cylinders and on certain mortice profiles.
Do you install locks on gates and outbuildings?
Yes — weather-rated padlocks, BS-grade hasps, garden gate locks, and shed/garage door hardware are all regular installation work across Exeter. We match the lock to the exposure (weatherproofing matters outdoors) and fit on the same visit.
Will a new lock invalidate my door warranty?
Not normally. Most door manufacturers specify that lock installations must be done by a competent locksmith — we are, and we fit to manufacturer-approved positions and dimensions. If in doubt, mention the door brand when you call and we'll confirm compatibility before attending.
Also nearby
Areas near Exeter
we also cover
Our engineers don't just cover Exeter — we serve the surrounding towns and neighbourhoods too. If you're just outside Exeter, we can still reach you fast.
- Plymouth 37.8 mi
- Tiverton 16.5 mi
- Exmouth 11.2 mi
- Newton Abbot 15.4 mi
- Honiton 16.8 mi
Ready when you are
Need lock installation in Exeter now?
24/7 dispatch across Exeter and the EX1 area. Fixed quote before work starts. Free call-out with every completed job.