Composite front door with multipoint lock cylinder and keys fitted by A Slater & Son locksmith in Middlesbrough

Emergency Locksmith · Middlesbrough & Teesside

Locked out in Middlesbrough?
A real local locksmith,
with a call-out service.

Name: A Slater & Son Property Services Ltd
Address: 1 Keasdon Close, Middlesbrough, TS3 7BD, GB
Telephone: 07966 442128

From a lockout to a snapped key in a UPVC door, we get you back inside fast - no drilled locks where they aren't needed.

Call 07966 442128 Request a free quote

Locksmith emergencies: we aim to attend within 4 hours
Non-destructive entry first, every time
BS3621 locks and security-rated cylinders fitted
Emergency call-outs are a fixed price agreed on the phone

Call-outService available

30+ yrsProperty repairs & maintenance

100%£5m public liability

4 hrsTarget locksmith response

Credentials

Awards, qualifications & accreditations

Awards

Northern Housing Awards 2025 — SME of the Year

Locksmith qualifications

Locksmith services are provided by A Slater & Son Property Services Ltd. Gary Slater personally holds the GMLUK Level 3 Award in Locksmithing and is a member of the Guild of Master Locksmiths UK.

Gary Slater — GMLUK Level 3 Award in Locksmithing
Guild of Master Locksmiths UK Member

Company accreditations

Held by A Slater & Son Property Services Ltd for the property trades shown on each scheme's profile. These schemes do not cover or certify our locksmith service. The company is Gas Safe registered (registration 587389) for gas work.

CHAS Elite
Alcumus SafeContractor Approved
Gas Safe Registered (587389)

Copies of all certificates are available on request before work begins.

The service

A locksmith service built around speed, honesty and proper repair.

A Slater & Son has traded for over 30 years in property repairs and maintenance, originally as a sole trader and, since March 2025, as A Slater & Son Property Services Ltd. Our dedicated locksmith service was added more recently, following formal locksmith training with the Guild of Master Locksmiths UK, and provides emergency lockouts, lock replacement and door-security work across Middlesbrough and the North East. An emergency locksmith call is rarely about a lock - it's about your front door, your tenant, your shop, your child stuck in the rain. Three decades of working on Middlesbrough and Teesside properties means we treat the door, the frame and the lock as one system. Most lockouts we attend are opened without drilling. When a lock is genuinely beyond repair, we replace it with security-rated hardware and explain exactly what changed and why.

Lockouts to homes, flats, rentals, shops, offices and vans
Snapped, seized or worn UPVC and composite door cylinders
Lock changes after a break-in, lost keys or a tenant move-out
Burglary repair: door realignment, frame repair, new locks and keep work
Smart locks, padlocks, garage and shed security
BS3621 5-lever mortice locks fitted

What happens if you wait

Ignore a damaged lock and a £90 fix turns into a £900 door.

Most lock problems give you warning before they fail - a key that sticks, a handle that lifts halfway, a cylinder that needs jiggling. People put it off, and then it fails on a wet Tuesday night with the kids in the car.

A failed cylinder mid-week

A worn euro-cylinder eventually snaps inside the lock. You can't get in or out, and a rogue trader will quote a four-figure 'new door' when the fix is a £40 cylinder.

Locks that may not meet your policy

Many home insurance policies ask for a BS3621-rated lock on final exit doors. Requirements vary between policies, so it is worth checking what your own insurer asks for.

A landlord left exposed

Old tenant keys floating around is a liability. A proper lock change between tenancies costs less than a single insurance excess and protects the next family in the property.

Our process

A clear path from your call to job done.

Step 1
Real person on the phone
You speak to a real person - not a call centre. Quick diagnosis, honest ETA, labour and likely parts explained before we set off.
Step 2
Non-destructive entry
On arrival we pick, bypass or manipulate the lock open first. Drilling is a last resort, and only used when a lock has already failed mechanically.
Step 3
Diagnose the real issue
We check the cylinder, gearbox, multi-point strip, hinges and frame alignment so you don't pay for a new lock when the door simply needs adjusting.
Step 4
Repair or replace properly
BS3621 locks and security-rated cylinders fitted, snap-resistant cylinders where appropriate, and keys cut on site. We test every key and every entry mode before we leave.
Step 5
Walk you through it
You get a written invoice, the old parts if you want them, and a clear explanation of what we did, what we replaced and why.

Why homeowners choose us

Real outcomes - not vague promises.

Back inside fast

A van is almost always nearby in Middlesbrough, Stockton or Redcar. We give realistic ETAs and stick to them.

No 'cowboy' upsell

We won't sell you a £600 'specialist' lock when a £45 cylinder solves the issue. Honest quoting is the entire business.

British Standard security

BS3621 mortice locks and anti-snap cylinders fitted, with an itemised invoice for your records. Insurance requirements vary between policies, so check the requirements of your own insurer.

One team for the full repair

If a break-in damaged the door, frame or trim, we joiner-fix it the same visit. No second contractor needed.

Landlord-friendly billing

Itemised invoices, photos before/after, and we can deal with letting agents directly so the tenant gets help fast.

Local accountability

We live and work here. Our name is on the van and the contracts - there's nowhere for us to hide a bad job.

Deep detail

Locks, methods and situations we work with every week.

Most locksmith problems in the North East fall into a handful of patterns. Knowing the hardware matters - picking the wrong solution costs the customer money or leaves the door insecure.

Fully insured · £5m public liability

Registered in England & Wales — Company No. 16298499. Registered office: Exchange Building, 66 Church Street, Hartlepool TS24 7DN. £5 million public liability cover, plus a 12-month workmanship guarantee across every trade.

Talk to Gary

UPVC and composite doors

The vast majority of front and back doors across Teesside are UPVC or composite with a multi-point locking strip and a euro-cylinder. The cylinder is the part that fails most often - keys snap inside it, the cam wears, or the cylinder itself snaps if it's protruding and a thief attacks it. We carry snap-resistant 3-star Kitemarked cylinders sized to your door (it matters - an oversized cylinder is a security risk). If the gearbox in the multi-point strip has gone, we replace the gearbox rather than the whole door, which is what most homeowners are wrongly told they need.

Wooden doors and BS3621 mortice locks

Older terraced and semi-detached homes around Linthorpe, Acklam, Norton and Marton often still have a wooden front or back door fitted with a mortice lock. Many home insurance policies ask for a BS3621 certified lock (5-lever, British Standard) on these doors, though requirements vary between policies, so check with your own insurer. We carry Union, Chubb (ASSA ABLOY) and ERA BS3621 locks and fit them properly into the existing morticed pocket - including new keeps and strike plates where the timber has worn.

Break-in and burglary repair

After a burglary the priority is making the property secure tonight. We board up where needed, replace the locks, realign or repair damaged frames, and fit a temporary or permanent door as appropriate. We then put the property back to insurance-claim ready, with photos and a written report you can send to your insurer.

Landlord, letting and commercial work

We work with private landlords and letting agents across Teesside for change-of-tenancy lock changes, lost-key call-outs, and end-of-tenancy security checks. For commercial premises - shops, offices, salons, takeaways - we fit master-key systems, restricted-key cylinders so keys can't be copied at a kiosk, and access control on staff doors.

Smart locks, padlocks and outbuildings

Smart locks (Yale Conexis, Ultion Nuki and similar) are increasingly common on family homes and Airbnb lets. We fit, configure and troubleshoot them, including on composite doors where the multi-point strip needs to be compatible. For garages, sheds and side gates we fit CEN-rated padlocks and hasps that actually slow a determined thief down.

Pricing

Price List

All prices below are starting prices and include VAT at 20%. Emergency call-outs are a fixed price agreed on the phone, so you know the figure before we set off. There is no separate travelling charge: you pay the agreed labour charge plus any parts needed. Parts are charged in addition to labour. A price given over the phone is an estimate based on what you describe; the final price is confirmed on site before work begins. Out-of-hours rates apply evenings and overnight.

Labour Rates (including VAT)

TimeRate inc. VAT

9:00am – 5:00pm (7 days)from £77.99(£64.99 + VAT)

5:00pm – 10:00pm (time & a half)from £116.98(£97.49 + VAT)

10:00pm – 9:00am (double rate)from £155.98(£129.98 + VAT)

Pricing shown is for labour only; parts are charged separately.

Parts (from, including VAT)

PartPrice inc. VAT

Cylinder Locksfrom £29.99(£24.99 + VAT)

Door Handlesfrom £35.99(£29.99 + VAT)

Multi-Point Mechanismsfrom £101.99(£84.99 + VAT)

Final price depends on make/model, security grade and availability.

Emergency call-outs are a fixed price agreed on the phoneAll prices shown include VATOut-of-hours rates apply

Locksmith services are provided by A Slater & Son Property Services Ltd. Gary Slater personally holds the GMLUK Level 3 Award in Locksmithing and is a member of the Guild of Master Locksmiths UK. The company holds £5m public liability insurance and Gary Slater is DBS checked.

Case Study · Housing Provider Call-Out

Forced-entry repair: door, frame and lock back in one visit.

We were called out by a housing provider after the police had forced entry to a tenant's flat. The door had been kicked through, the frame splintered around the lock keep, and the property was left wide open - no way to secure it and no way for the tenant to get back in.

On the same visit we repaired the timber frame, fitted a new lock case and lever handle, and re-hung the door so it closed cleanly and locked properly. We then installed a combination key safe on the brick beside the door and left the new keys inside, so the tenant could let themselves back in when they returned.

Door & frame repaired same visit
New lock case and handle fitted
Eurospec key safe supplied & fitted
Property handed back fully secure

On arrival: door frame and lock keep destroyed by police forced entry.

Inside view - frame torn out, lock case missing, property left insecure.

Same door, same day: new frame timbers, new lock, door re-hung and secure.

Eurospec key safe fitted next to the door with the new keys inside for the tenant.

Gary Slater personally holds the GMLUK Level 3 Award in Locksmithing and is a member of the Guild of Master Locksmiths UK. View Gary's GMLUK Level 3 locksmith award, Guild membership and our CHAS Elite and SafeContractor certificates.

FAQ

Emergency Locksmith questions, answered straight.

Still unsure? Send us a message or call 07966 442128.

How much does an emergency locksmith cost in Middlesbrough?+

Emergency call-outs are a fixed price agreed on the phone, with no separate travelling charge. Daytime labour starts from £77.99 including VAT (£64.99 + VAT), evening work from £116.98 including VAT and overnight from £155.98 including VAT. Parts are charged in addition and are confirmed before work begins. A price given on the phone is an estimate based on what you describe; the final price is confirmed on site before we start.

How quickly can you get to me?+

For locksmith emergencies we aim to be with you within 4 hours across Teesside, and we are often much sooner. We give you an honest ETA on the phone before we set off.

Will you drill my lock?+

Almost never. We're trained to pick, bypass or manipulate locks open without damage. Drilling is only used when a lock has already failed mechanically - for example, a snapped cylinder where the cam is jammed inside the gearbox.

Do you offer a call-out service?+

Yes - we offer a locksmith call-out service. If we are on a job we call you straight back, and you speak to the person doing the work.

Do you fit British Standard locks?+

Yes - we fit BS3621 5-lever mortice locks for wooden doors and 3-star Kitemarked anti-snap euro-cylinders for UPVC and composite doors. These are the standards most UK home insurers ask for, though requirements vary by policy, so check your own. We provide an itemised invoice for your insurer.

Can you help after a break-in?+

Yes, and we treat it as a priority. We secure the property the same day, replace damaged locks, repair the door frame and trim where needed, and provide photos and a written report for your insurance claim.

Do you change locks between tenants for landlords?+

Yes - change-of-tenancy lock changes are one of our most common landlord jobs. We can deal with letting agents or tenants directly, key-up multiple properties on a single restricted key, and invoice the agent or owner with itemised paperwork.

Do you cover Stockton, Redcar, Hartlepool and Darlington as well?+

Yes. We cover the whole of Teesside and the surrounding area - Middlesbrough, Stockton, Thornaby, Ingleby Barwick, Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Hartlepool and Darlington - for both emergency and planned work.

Are you a registered, insured business?+

Yes. A Slater & Son Property Services Ltd is a UK registered limited company (Company No. 16298499) with £5 million public liability insurance.

Will smart locks invalidate my insurance?+

Not if they're fitted correctly and the door also meets your insurer's standard. Most major UK insurers accept smart locks as long as the underlying lock case is to BS or TS standards. We'll check your insurance wording with you before fitting.

Related services

Damp Proofing Joinery Property Maintenance Landlord Maintenance

Areas we cover for Emergency Locksmith

Middlesbrough Stockton Darlington Hartlepool Redcar Marske Saltburn Thornaby Ingleby Barwick

Sort your emergency locksmith today - properly, first time.

We answer every call. Honest advice, fair pricing, work that lasts.