Frequently Asked Questions | Moorside Locksmiths, Newcastle
If you have a question about our locksmith services in Newcastle or North Tyneside, the
answer is probably below. If not, call us directly on 07968 567171.
PRICING AND CALL-OUT
How much does a locksmith cost in Newcastle? Our prices start from £29.99. The exact cost depends on the job - what type of lock is involved, what needs doing to it, and whether parts need replacing. We always give you the price before we start, so there are no surprises. Call us and describe the situation and we can give you a rough estimate over the phone before we even arrive.
Do you charge a call-out fee? No. There is no call-out fee. The price we quote on arrival is what you pay. We are not going to charge a call-out fee and then fold it into the job price under a different label.
What payment methods do you accept? Cash and BACS bank transfer. We do not currently accept card payments on site.
RESPONSE AND AVAILABILITY
How quickly can you get to me? Our target response time is 30 minutes across most of Newcastle and North Tyneside. Exact timing depends on where we are when you call and where you are. For areas closer to our West Moor base - including Forest Hall, Killingworth, Longbenton, and Burradon - we are often on site in under 20 minutes. For outlying areas like Ashington and Blyth, it may take slightly longer and we will tell you that honestly when you call.
Do you operate at nights and weekends? Yes. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year including bank holidays. When you call, Steve answers - not an automated message or a call centre.
What areas do you cover? We cover Newcastle, North Tyneside, and into Northumberland from our base in West Moor, NE12. Our coverage area includes Ashington, Blyth, Burradon, Cramlington, Forest Hall, Gosforth, Great Park, Heaton, Jesmond, Killingworth, Kingston Park, Longbenton, North Shields, Ponteland, Seghill, Shiremoor, Wallsend, West Moor, and Whitley Bay. Each area has its own page on this site with specific coverage details.
LOCKOUTS
What should I do if I am locked out? Call us on 07968 567171. Give us your address and we will confirm how quickly we can reach you. Stay somewhere safe and warm while you wait if you can. Do not attempt to force entry yourself - you are likely to damage the door or frame and create a more expensive problem.
Will you have to drill my lock to get me in? In most cases no. We always try non-
destructive entry first - picking the lock or using specialist tools to open it without causing damage. This means the lock is often still usable after we have gained entry. If the lock cannot be opened without drilling, we will tell you before we do it and replace it on the same visit.
What if you cannot get into my property? In over 17 years and 6,000+ jobs, we have not encountered a property we could not gain access to. We carry a wide range of tools for different lock types and situations.
LOCKS AND SECURITY
Should I change my locks when I move into a new home? Yes. When you move into a property, you have no way of knowing how many key copies exist - previous owners may have given them to neighbours, tradespeople, dog walkers, or family members and not retrieved them all. Changing the cylinders is the only way to be certain you control who has access to your home. It is a straightforward job and we can usually carry it out on the same day you call.
My door handle is dropping - what does that mean? A dropping door handle usually means either the handle spring has failed or the gearbox inside the locking mechanism hasworn out. In most cases the mechanism needs replacing rather than just the handle. We can assess and sort it on the same visit in the majority of cases.
My lock is stiff and difficult to turn - can you fix it? A stiff lock is usually a sign that the cylinder is wearing out or has been compromised. Lubricating it may give temporary relief but the cylinder generally needs replacing. Stiffening cylinders are also more common in coastal areas where salt air accelerates wear. We carry replacement cylinders as van stock and can swap one out quickly.
What is lock snapping and do I need to worry about it? Lock snapping is a technique where a standard euro cylinder lock is deliberately snapped in half using a pair of grips or a mole wrench. Once snapped, the door can be opened without a key in a matter of seconds. It requires no lockpicking skill and leaves minimal visible evidence. It is one of the most common domestic break-in methods used in the North East. If your front door has a standard euro cylinder lock - the kind fitted to most uPVC and composite doors - you are potentially vulnerable to this. The fix is an anti-snap cylinder, which is designed to fail-safe when attacked, making snapping ineffective.
What is an anti-snap cylinder and should I fit one? An anti-snap cylinder replaces your existing euro cylinder and is specifically engineered to resist the snapping technique. When an attacker tries to snap it, the sacrificial outer section breaks away while the inner working part of the lock remains intact and functional. The door stays locked. We recommend anti-snap cylinders on all uPVC and composite doors - the cost is modest and the security improvement is significant. We carry them in a range of sizes and can fit one on the same day you call.
What is the most secure type of lock for a front door? For uPVC and composite doors, a 3-star anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-drill euro cylinder combined with a correctly functioning multipoint locking mechanism is the recommended standard. For wooden doors, a BS3621-approved mortice deadlock is the benchmark most insurers require. The exact right option depends on your door type - call us and we can advise based on what you have.
Do my locks need to meet any British Standard for home insurance? Most home insurers now require front door locks to meet BS3621 standard. Some also specify anti- snap ratings on euro cylinders. If your insurer has flagged your locks or you want to check, we can assess your existing locks and tell you whether they comply. If they do not, we can replace them on the same visit in most cases.
LANDLORDS AND COMMERCIAL
Do you work with landlords? Yes, and it is a significant part of what we do. We carry out lock changes between tenancies, re-keying after key loss, cylinder replacements, and emergency access for landlords and letting agents across Newcastle and North Tyneside. We work with both individual landlords and letting agents managing larger portfolios. If you manage multiple properties and want a locksmith you can call reliably, get in touch.
Do you come out to commercial premises? Yes. We carry out lock changes, emergency access, and security upgrades for businesses, offices, retail premises, schools, hotels, churches, warehouses, factories, and public buildings. We also work with estate agents and County Court Enforcement Officers. See our commercial locksmith services page for more detail.
AFTER A BREAK-IN
I have just been burgled. What should I do? Call the police first and get a crime reference number - you will need this for an insurance claim. Once the police have attended, call us on 07968 567171. We will come out, assess the damage to the lock and door, replace any damaged locks, and - if the door or frame has been damaged and the property cannot be secured - arrange temporary boarding up while a permanent repair is sorted. Do not leave a damaged property unsecured overnight.
QUALIFICATIONS AND INSURANCE
I have just been burgled. What should I do? Call the police first and get a crime reference
number - you will need this for an insurance claim. Once the police have attended, call us
on 07968 567171. We will come out, assess the damage to the lock and door, replace any
damaged locks, and - if the door or frame has been damaged and the property cannot be
secured - arrange temporary boarding up while a permanent repair is sorted. Do not leave
a damaged property unsecured overnight.