Why people book a lock change in Fulham
The most common reason is a new set of keys. When you buy a flat or house you have no idea how many copies of the old keys are still out there, with previous owners, builders, cleaners or neighbours who once fed the cat. Changing the locks on the front and back doors is a sensible first job after moving in.
Landlords are the other big group. Fulham has a lot of rented flats, and swapping the cylinder between one tenancy and the next means the new tenants are the only ones holding keys. It is a small job that saves a lot of worry, and it can be done on the same visit as the end of tenancy repairs.
The locks you will find on Fulham doors
Older terraced houses in SW6 usually have a timber front door with two locks. One is a nightlatch, the round lock near eye level that clicks shut when the door closes. The other is a mortice lock, which sits inside a slot cut into the edge of the door and is locked with a key from both sides.
Newer doors, back doors onto gardens and many flats in riverside developments around Sands End use a multipoint lock. This is a long strip inside the door that locks at several points when you lift the handle, all worked by a euro cylinder (the key barrel you see on the face of the handle). Very often only the cylinder needs changing, which is a quick swap once the right length is measured.
- Nightlatches, often called Yale type locks
- Mortice deadlocks and sashlocks in timber doors
- Euro cylinders on uPVC and composite doors
- Locks on side gates, sheds and garden doors
Jobs we cover
- Changing euro cylinders on front and back doors
- Replacing nightlatches
- Fitting and replacing mortice deadlocks and sashlocks
- Easing stiff locks and adjusting keeps
- Changing locks between tenants
- Fitting sash window stops and dual screws
- Key operated window handles
- Gate locks, hasps and padlocks
- Locks on internal doors and bathroom doors
Upgrading tired or worn locks
A lock that needs jiggling to turn is telling you something. Worn pins, a loose keep on the frame or a door that has dropped can all make a key stiff, and if left alone the key can snap inside. We check whether the lock itself is the problem or whether the door needs adjusting first, because a new lock on a badly hung door will soon wear the same way.
Where a euro cylinder sticks out a long way past the handle, we can fit one of the right length. Many people also choose a cylinder designed to resist snapping, a known way of attacking this type of lock. On older timber doors, a mortice lock that has been painted over or packed with old filler can usually be cleaned out and refitted, or a new one cut in neatly.
Flats, fire doors and getting permission
If you live in a block of flats, your front door may be a fire door. Government guidance on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 says residents should only change their flat entrance door with the agreement of the person responsible for fire safety in the building, such as the freeholder or managing agent. Fire doors also need a self closing device that shuts the door fully.
Swapping a cylinder for one that fits the existing hole is a simple change. Cutting a new lock into a fire door, or adding extra bolts and spy holes, can weaken it. In a mansion block or a purpose built block, we will ask whether the building has agreed before doing that kind of work. Locks on internal doors within your flat are a different matter and are usually straightforward.
Window locks and garden security
Ground floor and garden flats are where window locks make the biggest difference. Sash windows in period homes can take simple sash stops or dual screws, which hold the two sashes together so they cannot be slid open from outside. Casement windows can have key operated handles or surface locks fitted.
Back gates and side passages between terraces are often secured with nothing more than an old bolt. A proper gate lock or a hasp and padlock is a cheap fix, and we can sort it on the same trip as the front door. Customers in Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway and over towards Chelsea often book the whole lot in one go.
Who this suits
- New owners who want fresh keys after moving in
- Landlords changing locks between tenancies
- Tenants asked by their landlord to arrange a lock change
- Garden flat owners who want better window and gate locks
- Households with a stiff or worn lock that is getting worse
Common questions
Do you offer an emergency lockout service?
No. We handle planned lock fitting and lock changes only. If you are locked out right now you will need a locksmith who runs a lockout service. Once you are back in, we can quote for any new locks you want.
Do I need to change the whole lock or just the cylinder?
On uPVC and composite doors, usually just the cylinder. The multipoint mechanism inside the door is only replaced if it is broken. On timber doors with a mortice lock, the lock body comes out as one piece, so the whole lock is swapped.
Can I change the lock on my flat front door?
Changing a cylinder for one of the same size is normally fine, but check your lease first. If the door is a fire door, government guidance says changes should only be made with the agreement of the person responsible for fire safety in the building.
How many keys do I get with new locks?
New cylinders and mortice locks usually come with a set of keys in the box, often three or more. We hand them all over in their packaging so you know nobody else has a copy.
My key is getting hard to turn. Should I replace the lock?
Not always. A dropped door or a misaligned keep can make a good lock feel stiff. We check the door first. If the lock is worn inside, it is better to replace it before a key snaps.
Can you fit locks to my sash windows?
Yes. Sash stops and dual screws suit most period sash windows and do not spoil the look. They are fitted to the meeting rails, where the top and bottom sashes overlap.
Can you key all my locks alike?
Yes, for cylinder locks. Keyed alike cylinders are ordered as a set so one key works the front and back doors. We need the sizes of each cylinder first, so we measure on a short visit or from your photos.