7 Best Locksmiths in Exeter for 2026

🔑 7 businesses · 📍 Exeter
✓ Reviewed regularly · ✓ Updated 23 September 2026
Mark Reid
Written by Mark Reid, Trades Editor · Verified 23 September 2026
Exeter's mix of housing throws up more locksmith work than you'd think. You've got Victorian terraces around St Leonard's and Newtown with old mortice locks that stick in the damp, new-build estates out at Cranbrook and Monkerton with multipoint UPVC doors, and student lets near the university where tenants change every year and landlords need locks swapped fast. Add in the older stone cottages out towards Topsham and Alphington, and a locksmith working across the city needs to know their way round everything from Yale rim locks to modern smart locks, not just one type of door.

The locksmiths listed here are pulled from public business listings and ranked using their review rating and the number of reviews they've built up, with a small boost given to those who have a working website and phone number listed. We then read through each business's homepage to check that locksmith work is genuinely their main trade, which stops general handymen or unrelated tradespeople slipping onto the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically, so you're not stuck ringing a number that no longer works. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone further and passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. Our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. For any business without the badge, those checks haven't been done by us, so it's worth doing your own homework before you book.

Before you hand over any money, ask what the callout charge covers and whether it changes for evenings or weekends, since a lockout at 11pm on a Friday in the city centre can cost more than the same job at 2pm on a Tuesday. Ask if they carry ID and ask to see it, particularly if you're locked out and someone's turned up at your door. Check whether they'll give you a written quote before starting non-emergency work like fitting a new multipoint lock or upgrading to an anti-snap cylinder, and get that quote in writing if the job's over a hundred pounds or so. It's sensible to get two or three quotes for anything beyond a simple lockout, especially replacing locks after a break-in or fitting new security to a rental property, since prices for the same job can vary a fair bit across Exeter.
How We Select & Rate The Best Locksmiths in Exeter

Rankings are based on review rating and review count pulled from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm locksmith work is genuinely their primary trade, which keeps unrelated tradespeople off this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone through our full verification process, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses here haven't been independently verified by us, and their inclusion isn't an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.

Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →

Quick Comparison: Locksmiths in Exeter

Our Top Picks

1
Lockfix24 - Mobile Locksmiths
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (307 reviews)
Exeter 01392 409449

Families across Exeter locked out or dealing with faulty doors call on Lockfix24 for mobile callouts that come to them rather than a shop counter. The business covers EX2 and surrounding areas, fitting and repairing locks for households needing a quick response. It holds a five-star rating from 307 reviews on Google.

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2
Lockrite Locksmiths Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 4.9 (315 reviews)
Exeter 0800 061 2677

Non-destructive entry, burglary repairs and smart lock installation are among the services offered by Lockrite Locksmiths Ltd, covering Exeter and the surrounding area. The company also handles CCTV installation and emergency callouts alongside routine lock changes and key cutting. A Google rating of 4.9 from 315 reviews points to consistent reliability across a broad range of work.

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3
LockFit Exeter Locksmiths
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (158 reviews)
Exeter 01392 927590

Lock changes following break-ins or lost keys make up much of the daily work at LockFit Exeter Locksmiths, alongside uPVC door and window mechanism repairs. The firm operates across Exeter, fitting British Standard cylinders and dealing with misaligned multipoint locking systems that stop doors closing properly. It holds a 5-star rating from 158 reviews.

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4
Auto Lock Devon
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (122 reviews)
Exeter 07403 639918

Spare car keys, lost key replacement and van deadlocks are among the core services offered by Auto Lock Devon, a locksmith business covering Exeter and the surrounding area. The company also handles car key programming and vehicle entry for locked-out drivers. Rated five stars across 122 Google reviews, it carries a consistently strong local reputation.

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5
Devon Car Keys
Not Verified
★★★★★ 4.9 (129 reviews)
Exeter 07983 417323

Automotive locksmith work covers Exeter and the surrounding area, with a focus on car key cutting and programming rather than general household lock fitting. Devon Car Keys has built up a strong local reputation, reflected in a 4.9 rating from 129 reviews. Vehicle owners locked out or needing spare keys replaced can call on this specialism directly.

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6
Exeter Locksmiths
Not Verified
★★★★★ 4.8 (144 reviews)
Exeter 01392 272725

Older terraces and converted flats around Exeter often bring worn or mismatched locks, and this is where much of the work centres. Exeter Locksmiths deals with lock changes, repairs and lockouts across the EX4 area, with 144 reviews averaging 4.8 reflecting consistent workmanship on period ironmongery as well as modern fittings.

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7
ASAP Locksmiths Exeter
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (94 reviews)
Exeter 01392 715353

ASAP Locksmiths Exeter covers a broad range of lock-related work across the city, from emergency lockouts and domestic lock changes to commercial installations, safe fitting, master key suites, and access control systems. Vehicle key replacement is also listed among its services. The business holds a five-star rating across 94 Google reviews.

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Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a locksmith cost in Exeter?
A standard non-emergency callout in Exeter typically runs from around £50 to £80, while an emergency lockout, especially at night or on a Sunday, can push towards £100 to £150 once you include parts. Fitting a new UPVC multipoint lock usually costs between £120 and £220 depending on the mechanism, and upgrading a wooden door to a British Standard 3-star cylinder is often £60 to £100 including the lock itself. Prices shift depending on the time of day, how far the locksmith has to travel, and whether the door's been forced or just needs a new key cut. Getting two or three quotes for anything beyond a simple lockout is normal practice and worth doing.
What should I do if I'm locked out of my house in Exeter?
First, check whether a neighbour holds a spare key, particularly common on the older terraced streets around Heavitree and St Thomas where people often swap spares. If not, call a locksmith and ask upfront for the callout price and how long they'll take to reach you, since response times vary between the city centre and outlying areas like Pinhoe or Alphington. Ask if they can open the door without damaging the lock, as a non-destructive entry is usually cheaper than one that ends with a replacement lock and frame repair.
Do I need a locksmith for a UPVC door with a multipoint lock?
Yes, multipoint locks need a locksmith familiar with the specific mechanism, since these doors lock at three or more points and a standard Yale specialist might not carry the right gearbox or cylinder. Common faults include the handle lifting but the door not locking, or the key turning without engaging the bolts. Tell the locksmith the door brand if you know it, and expect the job to take longer than a simple lock swap because the mechanism often needs replacing as a whole unit rather than just the cylinder.
Can a locksmith upgrade my home security after a break-in?
Most locksmiths working in Exeter can fit anti-snap cylinders, door reinforcement plates, and additional deadlocks, which insurers often ask for after a claim. If you've had a break-in, get a crime reference number from Devon and Cornwall Police first, since some insurance policies require it before covering repair or upgrade costs. Ask the locksmith for a written breakdown of what they're fitting and why, so you've got something to hand to your insurer if needed.
How quickly can a locksmith get to me in Exeter?
Response times depend on location and time of day. Locksmiths based centrally often reach areas like St David's, Newtown, or the Quay within 20 to 40 minutes, while properties further out towards Exminster or Broadclyst might take closer to an hour. Always ask for a realistic time estimate when you call rather than assuming a generic 'within the hour' promise, particularly during rush hour on the A30 or A38 approaches.
How do I choose between locksmiths in Exeter before booking?
Start by checking recent reviews on public listings sites, not just the star rating but what people actually say about punctuality and pricing. Ask the locksmith directly whether they hold public liability insurance and are happy to show proof, and ask about their trade background, such as any recognised locksmith training or association membership. Request a fixed price or a clear estimate before work starts, particularly for non-emergency jobs, and get it in writing by text or email. If a Trust Verified badge appears next to a listing, that business has already been through a fuller check on our end covering qualifications, insurance, and trading history, but for anyone without it, it's down to you to ask these questions before they turn up at your door.