Mortise Lock Installation Price

tsimehC

Hi,

I wanted to get an mortise lock installed on one internal door. I already bought the lock and handle. Carpenter/locksmith will need to chisel and drill out new holes for this and I was quoted £135 (half day rate for it).

Is this a fair quote or can I get it done for cheaper? I'm based in London if that makes any difference.

Thanks.

phill99

You need other quotes. A locksmith isn't needed to do this. Its basic handyman work.

Whereabouts in London are you? Somebody maybe able to recommend a tradesman.

tsimehC

phill99 wrote: »

You need other quotes. A locksmith isn't needed to do this. Its basic handyman work.

Whereabouts in London are you? Somebody maybe able to recommend a tradesman.

I did a bit of asking around online and got it down to £69 (just labour). I'm based in East London and there are a lot of locksmiths around here but they are charging a bit too much for my liking.

I have little experience in installing door locks and would rather not make a costly mistake. If someone can reccomend a tradesman, that'd be great. Otherwise I'll pass for now, it's not that urgent.

leveller2911

A mortice sash lock takes no more than 1hr to fit (including getting the tools out the van and dust sheeting up , a mortice deadlock about 30 mins tops. If whoever fits it has a lock jig then its 20 minutes work.

Even if you allow for travel time one way its still expensive but I guess its London rip off prices.

The first quote of £135 is laughable and the person who quoted should be on next weeks edition of Watchdog.

Mr.Generous

leveller2911 wrote: »

A mortice sash lock takes no more than 1hr to fit (including getting the tools out the van and dust sheeting up , a mortice deadlock about 30 mins tops. If whoever fits it has a lock jig then its 20 minutes work.

Even if you allow for travel time one way its still expensive but I guess its London rip off prices.

The first quote of £135 is laughable and the person who quoted should be on next weeks edition of Watchdog.

I have a lock jig for my router - well a set actually, a few different sizes. 1 size does not fit all. You have to use 2 separate sizes for every fit, one for lock body and one for plate, then do the frame side. If you can do that in 20mins your much better than me. It takes a few minutes to set the tool up, are you suggesting routing the door in place horizontally? Have you seen the dust from a routed door? have you ever used a jig to do a lock? is it a solid oak door or a thin panel door? has the door even been fitted with the lock bar on the correct side? Id say at the absolute least £50 to do it unless it was a close friend or a super sexy woman. I have to buy the router, the cutting bit, the templates, the extension reel, I have to go and look at the job. Its not a 20 min job, it never is.:rotfl:

leveller2911

Mr.Generous wrote: »

I have a lock jig for my router - well a set actually, a few different sizes. 1 size does not fit all. You have to use 2 separate sizes for every fit, one for lock body and one for plate, then do the frame side. If you can do that in 20mins your much better than me. It takes a few minutes to set the tool up, are you suggesting routing the door in place horizontally?

The majority of Yale,ERA,Aronne,Union 5 lever sashlocks can be fitted using Templates 12 &D if I remember correctly. There are some odd sized locks but if you know in advance you can either order a template and add it to the cost or use an existing one and move it to lengthen the mortice and or face plate.

Have you seen the dust from a routed door?

Yes, I do them all the time and have an extractor rigged up to my router which take the vast majority of it away,about 95% or so.

have you ever used a jig to do a lock?

Yes hundreds of times.

is it a solid oak door or a thin panel door?

A solid oak door would take longer than a hollow core internal door which would be a lot quicker. Like any job really the more you do the easier/quicker you get .

has the door even been fitted with the lock bar on the correct side?

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Do you mean the lock block on a hollow core door?. If so then thats irrelevant because if i wasn't on the right side you wouldn't be able to fit a 5 lever sash lock any sense.

Id say at the absolute least £50 to do it unless it was a close friend or a super sexy woman. I have to buy the router, the cutting bit, the templates, the extension reel, I have to go and look at the job. Its not a 20 min job, it never is.:rotfl:

I didn't give the OP a price but did say £135 they were quoted was a joke, which it is.. For what Its worth I think your £50 is about right as long as its local.