Not always. A locksmith should assess the lock and explain whether non-destructive entry is suitable before proposing drilling. Sometimes a failed lock or the circumstances of the job make destructive entry necessary. Ask why, what will need replacing and what the total will be before agreeing. Drilling alone does not prove dishonesty.
Being locked out puts you under pressure. You want the door open, but you also want to understand why someone is about to damage a lock and add a replacement to the bill.
The useful question is not simply “Do you use a drill?” It is “Why is that the right option for this lock, what have you assessed, and what happens afterwards?” A clear explanation lets you decide before the work becomes irreversible.
Should drilling be the first thing a locksmith does?
The Master Locksmiths Association says it expects non-destructive methods to be tried first, with drilling as a last resort. It also recognises situations where drilling may be necessary, including a failed mechanism or a lock being replaced anyway. 1
That is general trade guidance. It is not a remote diagnosis of your door or a guarantee that every lock can be opened without damage. The person attending needs to assess the actual lock, its condition and the situation.
Ask for that assessment in plain English. You do not need a demonstration of lock-opening techniques. You do need to know why the proposed work is necessary and what it will cost.
When might destructive entry be justified?
A lock or mechanism can fail while the door is secured. A damaged or failed component may mean that a non-destructive approach is not suitable or does not work. The MLA gives failed mechanisms and unsuccessful non-destructive attempts among its examples. 1
If the lock needs replacing for a separate reason, that can also affect the decision. Lost keys, for example, raise a question about who might still have access. But losing a key does not automatically establish which entry method is necessary or mean the whole locking mechanism must be replaced.
The explanation should relate to your door, not a blanket claim that all locks of that general kind must be drilled. If the locksmith cannot explain the reason, pause before agreeing to destructive work.
This guide deliberately does not describe how to open or defeat a lock. Leave entry work to someone with the appropriate skills and authority to work on the property.
What should I ask before agreeing?
Ask these questions while the lock is still intact:
- What is preventing entry, as far as you can establish?
- Is a non-destructive approach suitable, and has it been considered?
- Why is destructive entry being proposed here?
- Which part is expected to be damaged or replaced?
- What replacement will be fitted, and is it suitable for this door?
- What is included in the total, including labour, parts and VAT where applicable?
- What happens to the price if the assessment changes?
If you have only been given a starting price over the phone, ask how it relates to the assessed job. Do not assume a small advertised figure is the complete total.
AHLP’s quote-scope guide covers the questions to ask about labour, parts and the agreed work. This article does not set a price or promise that an unseen door can be quoted with certainty.
Does drilling mean I need a completely new lock?
Ask exactly what “new lock” means. A cylinder, a lock case and a multipoint mechanism are different parts. What must be changed depends on the door, the damage, the fault and the proposed repair.
Do not accept “the whole lot needs changing” as the only explanation. Equally, do not assume a cylinder replacement will fix a mechanism failure. Ask the locksmith to identify the part and explain what the replacement solves.
Our uPVC repair-or-replace guide explains the distinction between alignment, handles, cylinders and multipoint mechanisms at a buyer level. It is not a diagnosis from a photograph.
Before work begins, check whether the quoted total includes leaving the door secure, the replacement part and the keys you will need. If a temporary repair is proposed, ask what it does and does not achieve, and what further work remains.
How do I judge the explanation?
| What you are told | Useful follow-up | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| The mechanism appears to have failed | Ask which part is affected and why that changes the entry options | That every part of the door needs replacing |
| Non-destructive entry is not suitable or has not succeeded | Ask for the reason and the proposed next step | That any amount of additional work is automatically authorised |
| The lock must be replaced anyway | Ask why replacement is needed and what is included | That the replacement can be any product at any price |
| The total has changed | Ask for the revised scope and total before continuing | That an earlier starting price covered the new work |
The point is not to argue about a technique you cannot assess. It is to make sure the person doing the work can explain the decision and obtain agreement to the scope and cost.
Is drilling a sign of a scam?
It can be part of a poor or dishonest job, but it is not proof on its own. The MLA warns about unnecessary drilling and surprise charges. Its drilling guide also gives examples where destructive work can be justified. Both parts matter. 12
Look at the whole interaction. Do you know the business you contracted with? Who is attending? Have they explained the work and price? Are you being pressured to agree before the costs are clear? Can you verify any claimed membership or accreditation with the organisation that issued it?
An advert, a low quote or the use of a subcontractor is not, by itself, a finding of fraud. A visible drill is not a finding of fraud either. Keep the judgement tied to what was said, agreed and done.
Our guide to choosing a trustworthy locksmith covers provider checks without assuming every booking service or cheap quote is dishonest.
What if I am told there is no time to discuss it?
If there is no immediate danger, ask for the explanation and total before work starts. You can say: “Please explain why this is needed, what will be replaced and the full price before I agree.”
That does not mean refusing necessary work. It means making an informed decision. If someone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services rather than treating a general article as an emergency plan.
If the property cannot be secured, tell the attending locksmith that clearly and ask what safe temporary or permanent options they can provide. Do not attempt to force, drill or dismantle the lock yourself based on online instructions.
What records should I keep?
Keep the original estimate, any revised quote, messages, invoice and the business’s contact details. Where safe, photographs of the door before and after may help record its condition. Ask for the invoice to identify the agreed work and replacement parts.
If the assessment changes during the job, ask for the new reason and total before authorising additional work. A useful record says what changed and what you agreed, rather than leaving both sides to remember a rushed conversation.
For AHLP’s current service terms, read the terms and conditions. Specific scope and pricing still need to be settled for the actual job.
What if I think the drilling was unnecessary?
Raise the concern with the business that supplied the work. Explain what you were told, what you agreed to and why you dispute the work or charge. Ask for a written explanation and keep the response.
An independent locksmith’s assessment may help establish what was done, but do not assume a later opinion automatically proves what the original person could reasonably assess at the time. If a dispute remains unresolved, seek appropriate consumer advice. This article is not a legal judgement about a particular job.
Can a locksmith promise not to damage anything?
Ask what they mean and what limitations apply. Non-destructive entry may be possible, but nobody reading a short description online can guarantee the condition of an unseen lock or mechanism. A responsible explanation leaves room for assessment without treating every possibility as permission to add charges.
What should I tell a locksmith when I call?
Describe whether you are locked out, the key is lost, the key is present but not working, or the door has another fault. Give the door type and send photographs of the door and lock if you can. Explain any immediate safety or security issue. Do not send information you are not authorised to share about someone else’s property.
Ask what the initial estimate includes and how the final scope will be agreed. The aim is simple: understand the proposed work before a drill turns a decision into a bill.
Sources
[1] Master Locksmiths Association: Should a locksmith drill my lock?.
[2] Master Locksmiths Association: How to spot a rogue locksmith. Trade-association guidance, not evidence of AHLP membership or endorsement.