Garage lock fitting in Exeter
Professional garage lock fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-110
Typical Duration
45-75 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
New garage door lock fitted properly - drilled accurately, aligned correctly, operating smoothly. Proper security for your garage without bodging holes everywhere or forcing an unsuitable lock to fit.
Why Fit A Garage Lock?
Because an unlocked garage is an open invitation. Bikes, tools, garden equipment - it all adds up to thousands of pounds worth of stuff that'll walk out if someone tries the door.
💡 Pro tip: Most home insurance policies require "reasonable security measures." An unlocked garage can invalidate your claim if items are stolen.
Lock Types For Different Doors
| Door Type | Suitable Lock | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Side-hinged | 5-lever mortise or rim lock | Standard fitment, good security |
| Up-and-over | Defender lock or T-bar | Specific to up-and-over mechanisms |
| Roller door | Built-in cylinder or hasp | Works with roller mechanism |
| Sectional | Usually integral system | Often needs specialist parts |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check door type and recommend lock |
| Mark up | Measure and mark precise positions |
| Drill | Accurately drill lock body and keep |
| Fit | Install lock with proper fixings |
| Test | Make sure operation is smooth and secure |
📦 You're Left With
- Professionally fitted lock
- Smooth operation
- New keys
- Security peace of mind
Pricing Guide
| Situation | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic lock, standard door | 45-60 mins | £60-85 |
| Mortise lock (more complex) | 60-75 mins | £85 |
| Awkward door or two locks | 75+ mins | £85-110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Lock hardware extra - typically £25-100 depending on type and quality.
Perfect For...
✅ No lock currently - door has no security at all
✅ Insurance requirement - insurer wants proper lock fitted
✅ Valuable contents - bikes, tools, equipment worth protecting
✅ Recent break-in - adding security after an attempted entry
Why Choose Us for Garage lock fitting in Exeter?
Professional lock installation
Proper alignment guaranteed
Quality lock hardware
Security advice included
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess Door & Advise
I'll check your door type and recommend suitable locks. Different doors need different solutions - no point fitting the wrong type.
Step 2: Mark & Drill
Careful measuring and marking before drilling anything. Lock needs to be positioned correctly or it won't work smoothly.
Step 3: Fit & Test
Lock installed with proper fixings, keep aligned on the frame, full operation test. Should feel solid and secure.
🔧 DIY Tips
Thinking about fitting a lock yourself? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill with various bits
- Hole saw (for mortise locks)
- Chisel (for mortise locks)
- Screwdriver set
- Tape measure and pencil
- Spirit level
- The correct lock for your door type
📐 Fitting process
- Choose right lock - research what suits your door type
- Mark position carefully - measure twice, drill once
- Drill lock body housing - precise depth, clean edges
- Chisel out if needed - mortise locks need recessing
- Fit keep to frame - align perfectly with bolt
- Test repeatedly - adjust until smooth operation
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Buying wrong lock type for the door
- Drilling in wrong position (can't be moved once done)
- Not deep enough housing (lock proud of door surface)
- Keep misaligned (lock won't engage smoothly)
- Using wrong fixings (lock works loose)
💡 Pro trick: Before drilling the final holes, temporarily screw the lock in place with one screw and test the alignment with the keep. Saves discovering misalignment after you've drilled all the holes.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Double garage doors? You might want locks on both sides, or a central locking bar system. I'll advise what works best for your setup.
Planning for electric opener? If you're thinking about adding an electric opener later, mention it now - some lock positions clash with opener mechanisms.
Key management - when the lock's fitted, get spare keys cut straight away. Losing the only key and needing an emergency locksmith is expensive and annoying.
Old doors - older timber doors sometimes need reinforcing around the lock area if the wood's soft. I'll flag this if I spot it - better to do it right than have the lock rip out first time someone tries to force it.
Frequently Asked Questions
My garage door doesn't have a lock at all - can you add one?
Yes - happens quite often with older side-hinged doors or manual up-and-overs. I'll assess what type of lock suits your door, get the right hardware, and fit it properly.
What type of lock should I get?
Depends on your door type and what you're protecting. Basic lock for an empty garage is one thing, high-security lock for £3k worth of bikes is another. I'll advise what makes sense for your situation.
Do I need to buy the lock myself?
Either way works. If you've already bought one, I'll fit it (assuming it suits your door). If not, I can source the right type - saves you buying the wrong one and having to return it.
Will fitting a lock damage my garage door?
Minimal damage - there'll be drill holes for the lock mechanism and fixings, but they're necessary and positioned correctly. I'll make sure it's neat and doesn't compromise the door structure.
Can you fit a lock to a roller garage door?
Trickier with roller doors - they already have a lock mechanism built in usually. If yours doesn't, or it's failed, there are specific roller door locks available. Let me assess what's possible.
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