Door lock fitting in Exeter
Professional door lock fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45-90 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional door lock fitting - new locks installed from scratch with proper morticing. Mortice locks, cylinder locks, and latches cut in cleanly with strike plates aligned.
New Lock, Proper Security
Fitting a new lock isn't just drilling holes - it's cutting a precise mortice pocket, aligning the face plate, positioning the strike plate, and getting everything working smoothly. Done right, your door is more secure. Done wrong, the lock fails when you need it.
🔐 Precision matters. A lock is only as good as its installation. Proper morticing and alignment make all the difference.
What Good Lock Fitting Achieves
| ✅ Fitted Properly | ❌ Poor Installation |
|---|---|
| Smooth operation | Stiff or binding |
| Bolt throws fully | Doesn't engage striker |
| Years of use | Wear and failure |
| Real security | False security |
What You Get
🔧 Full Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Mark | Lock position set at correct height |
| Mortice | Pocket cut for lock body |
| Face | Face plate recessed flush |
| Strike | Striker plate fitted to frame |
| Finish | Operation checked, keys tested |
📦 Lock Types Fitted
- Mortice deadlocks (5-lever)
- Mortice sashlocks
- Cylinder locks (euro profile)
- Rim locks (Yale type)
- Bathroom locks
Pricing Guide
| Lock Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard mortice lock | 45 mins | £60 |
| Complex fitting | 90 mins | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Lock supplied by customer or sourced by us.
Perfect For...
✅ New doors - Security installed from scratch
✅ Security upgrade - Better lock, properly fitted
✅ Matching set - Front and back door locks
✅ Insurance requirements - British Standard locks
Why Choose Us for Door lock fitting in Exeter?
Clean mortice cut
Lock operates smoothly
Strike plate aligned perfectly
Security properly installed
What to Expect
Step 1: Prepare
Lock position marked, door supported, morticing equipment ready.
Step 2: Fit
Mortice cut cleanly, lock fitted, face plate recessed, striker aligned.
Step 3: Test
Key operation checked, bolt throw tested, smooth operation confirmed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fitting it yourself? Here's what's involved:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill and bits
- Chisels (sharp!)
- Mallet
- Marking gauge
- Tape measure
📐 Key steps
- Mark lock position (typically 990mm from floor)
- Mark mortice outline on door edge
- Drill out most of waste
- Chisel mortice square and clean
- Recess face plate flush
- Mark and fit striker plate
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Mortice too wide (lock wobbles)
- Mortice not deep enough (face plate proud)
- Striker misaligned (bolt misses)
- Rushing the chisel work (messy edges)
💡 Pro trick: Use the lock body as a template - hold it against the door edge and mark around it with a sharp pencil. Then you know exactly what to remove.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔒 Insurance often specifies locks - many policies require 5-lever mortice deadlocks to British Standard (BS3621). Check your policy and buy compliant locks.
Buying locks:
- Check door thickness vs lock size
- 5-lever for external doors
- BS3621 for insurance compliance
- Match existing if adding second lock
External doors:
- Usually need two locks
- One near top, one near bottom
- Or single multipoint lock
- Discuss security requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in fitting a new lock?
For mortice locks, a pocket is cut into the door edge to house the lock body. The face plate is recessed. The strike plate goes in the frame. Then comes the handles and any cylinder. It needs precision.
Can any door have a mortice lock?
Most solid doors yes. The door needs to be thick enough to house the lock - usually minimum 44mm. Hollow doors can have surface-mounted locks but not mortice locks.
Should I buy the lock first?
Yes, or tell me what type you want and I can source it. Having the lock on the day avoids a second visit. Make sure it's the right type for your door thickness.
How long will it last?
A quality lock fitted properly should last decades. Cheap locks wear faster. The fitting matters as much as the lock - a well-fitted budget lock beats a poorly-fitted expensive one.
Door lock fitting Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your door lock fitting job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Door lock fitting in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your door lock fitting job in Exeter today.