Summary
Smart locks are one of the fastest-growing add-on jobs for locksmiths, electricians doing smart-home work, and general tradespeople doing door hardware. The job itself is quick — most units are designed for retrofit fitting without cutting the door — but pricing it correctly means understanding two things that are easy to get wrong: what the customer is actually buying (a full lock replacement, or a device bolted onto their existing lock), and whether the finished job still satisfies their insurer's security clause.
The most common mistake is quoting a smart lock like a standard lock change. It isn't. Smart locks vary hugely in fitting complexity — a Bluetooth module that clips over an existing thumbturn is a 30-minute job with a screwdriver; a smart multipoint mechanism that replaces the gearbox inside a UPVC door is closer to a full lock swap plus calibration and app setup. Quoting a flat rate across all smart lock types either underprices the complex jobs or makes the simple ones uncompetitive.
The second trap is insurance. Almost every UK home insurance policy has a minimum security standard clause (commonly BS 3621 for wooden doors, TS 007 3-star or Sold Secure Diamond for euro cylinders). A smart lock that isn't paired with a compliant mechanical lock underneath it can technically invalidate a claim. Tradespeople who don't flag this to the customer are leaving them exposed — and leaving themselves exposed if the customer later blames the installer for "the smart lock that voided my insurance."
Key Facts
- BS 3621 — British Standard for thief-resistant mortice deadlocks on wooden doors: minimum 5 levers, 20mm bolt throw, hardened anti-saw bolt inserts, kitemarked faceplate.
- TS 007 — British Standard for euro cylinders (UPVC/composite doors with multipoint locking), rated 1 to 3 stars against picking, drilling, bumping, snapping and plug extraction; insurers typically require 3-star, or a 1-star cylinder paired with 2-star door furniture.
- Sold Secure Diamond (SS312) — the highest independent cylinder rating, tested beyond TS 007 by the Master Locksmiths Association; automatically qualifies as Secured by Design (police-preferred specification).
- PAS 24 — whole-door-assembly security standard (frame, lock, hinges, glazing tested together), used for new-build and replacement door specifications rather than retrofit locks.
- Retrofit smart locks fit over the existing thumbturn or cylinder and do not remove the underlying mechanical lock — this is the only category that preserves existing BS 3621/TS 007 compliance without re-certification.
- Smart euro cylinders replace the cylinder entirely — the new cylinder must itself carry a TS 007 3-star or SS312 Diamond rating to maintain insurance compliance.
- Smart multipoint mechanisms replace the whole gearbox in a UPVC/composite door — most expensive and slowest to fit, but gives full electronic control of all locking points.
- Keypad smart deadbolts for wooden doors usually require a mortice pocket to be cut or an existing mortice lock removed — check the replacement still meets BS 3621 if it's the sole deadlock.
- Part P (Building Regulations) does not apply to battery-powered smart locks — they are not connected to fixed wiring. It DOES apply if the job includes a mains-wired access control panel, video doorbell transformer, or a new socket/spur to power a hub.
- Connectivity type affects install time: Bluetooth-only units need no extra config beyond pairing; Wi-Fi units need the customer's network credentials on site; Zigbee/Z-Wave/Matter units may need a separate hub, adding 15–30 minutes.
- Fire doors (flats, HMOs, escape routes) need a CERTIFIRE-listed or fire-tested lock/hardware combination — do not fit a smart lock to a fire door without checking the certification carries over.
- Battery life and backup access — always fit and demonstrate the physical key override / backup code before leaving site; this is the single most common callback.
- Door thickness and backset must be measured before ordering — most smart cylinders are supplied in a range (e.g. 30/30mm to 45/55mm) and the wrong size is the most common reason for a second visit.
- Multi-user / letting agent jobs (Airbnb, HMO, holiday let) often want scheduled/temporary codes — quote for the setup and handover time, not just the fit.
- Insurer notification — advise the customer to inform their insurer when installing a smart lock, particularly if it replaces (rather than supplements) an existing compliant lock.
Quick Reference Table
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Try squote free →| Job type | Typical labour time | Materials (trade cost) | Supply & fit price (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retrofit smart module over existing thumbturn/cylinder | 0.5–1 hr | £120–£220 | £180–£320 |
| Smart euro cylinder swap (TS 007 3-star rated) | 0.5–1 hr | £130–£220 | £220–£380 |
| Smart keypad deadbolt, wooden door (mortice pocket exists) | 1–1.5 hr | £150–£280 | £280–£450 |
| Smart keypad deadbolt, wooden door (new mortice pocket needed) | 1.5–2.5 hr | £150–£280 | £380–£580 |
| Smart multipoint mechanism, UPVC/composite door | 1.5–2.5 hr | £220–£380 | £400–£650 |
| Add-on: hub install for Zigbee/Z-Wave/Matter device | 0.25–0.5 hr | £30–£60 | £60–£120 |
| Add-on: multi-user code setup / letting agent handover | 0.25–0.5 hr | — | £40–£80 |
| Callback: battery/backup key demonstration missed on first visit | 0.25 hr | — | Avoid — build into first visit |
Detailed Guidance
Pricing the labour correctly by lock type
Retrofit devices are the quickest win commercially — low labour time, healthy margin, and low risk because the customer's existing insurance-compliant lock stays in place underneath. Price these as a fixed callout-plus-fit rate rather than hourly; most tradespeople find £180–£320 covers a 30–60 minute job with a reasonable margin once the callout is factored in.
Cylinder and mechanism replacements need more care. Always measure the door thickness and cylinder backset before quoting a fixed price — offer a "measured on site, confirmed in writing" quote if you haven't seen the door. Getting the wrong cylinder size ordered is the single biggest cause of a loss-making job (wasted stock, second visit, no extra charge to the customer for your error).
Materials margin and stock strategy
Smart lock hardware sits in a wide trade price band (£120–£380) depending on connectivity (Bluetooth-only units are cheapest; Wi-Fi and multi-protocol units cost more) and certification level (SS312 Diamond costs more than a bare TS 007 1-star cylinder). A 30–40% margin on hardware is standard and defensible — customers are paying for the fitting expertise and the insurance-compliance advice as much as the device itself.
Don't stock every variant. Standardise on two or three products across the common categories (retrofit, cylinder, deadbolt) so you can quote confidently without a site visit for the simple jobs, and reserve a site visit for anything involving a full mechanism swap.
Quoting the insurance conversation as part of the job
Build 5 minutes into every quote — verbal or written — confirming which BS 3621/TS 007 rating the finished installation carries, and advising the customer to tell their insurer. This isn't optional extra service — it's risk management for you. If a customer's claim is later reduced because the "upgrade" you fitted dropped their door below the insurer's minimum standard, the come-back is on the installer.
Multi-door and portfolio jobs (landlords, agents, developers)
Letting agents and small portfolio landlords are a strong repeat-revenue channel for smart lock installers — quote a day rate rather than per-door once past 4–5 doors on one job, and always separate the code-management/handover time from the physical fitting time in the quote, since portfolio customers often want ongoing code administration as a paid add-on.
What NOT to include in the headline price
Keep hub installation, multi-user code setup, and network configuration troubleshooting as separately listed add-ons rather than folding them into the base price. Wi-Fi jobs in particular can overrun badly if the customer's router password isn't to hand or their signal doesn't reach the door — quote the base fit price and list connectivity setup as time-and-materials beyond a fixed allowance (e.g. first 15 minutes included, £15/15 min thereafter).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fitting a smart lock affect the customer's home insurance?
Only if it changes the underlying mechanical security rating. A retrofit device fitted over an existing BS 3621 or TS 007-rated lock doesn't change anything — the original compliant lock is still doing the mechanical locking. A full cylinder or mechanism replacement changes the rating, so the new hardware needs to independently meet the insurer's minimum standard (usually TS 007 3-star or BS 3621). Always tell the customer to check their policy wording and inform their insurer of any lock change, smart or not.
Do I need to be Part P registered to fit a smart lock?
No, if the lock is battery-powered — there's no connection to fixed household wiring, so Part P of the Building Regulations doesn't apply. Part P becomes relevant only if the job includes wiring a mains-powered hub, video doorbell transformer, or access control panel into a new circuit or spur.
Can I fit a smart lock to a fire door or a flat's front door?
Only if the replacement hardware carries equivalent fire test certification (typically CERTIFIRE-listed) to what's being removed — front doors to flats and doors onto escape routes usually need fire-rated hardware. Check before quoting; if in doubt, treat it as a job requiring the landlord's or building's fire risk assessor's sign-off, not a standard retrofit.
What's the difference in price between a retrofit device and a full cylinder swap, and why?
A retrofit device (fitting over the existing thumbturn) is typically £100–£150 cheaper because it needs no lock removal, no compliance re-certification, and roughly half the labour time. A full cylinder swap needs the correct replacement cylinder specified to the door's backset and rating, plus time to fit and test both sides of the mechanism.
Regulations & Standards
BS 3621 — mortice deadlocks for wooden doors: 5-lever minimum, 20mm bolt throw, anti-saw bolt, most commonly quoted UK home insurance standard.
TS 007 — euro cylinder standard for UPVC/composite doors, 1–3 star rating against picking, drilling, bumping, snapping, plug extraction; insurers generally require 3-star or 1-star-cylinder-plus-2-star-hardware.
Sold Secure Diamond (SS312) — Master Locksmiths Association test standard exceeding TS 007, confers Secured by Design status.
PAS 24 — whole door-assembly security performance standard, used in new-build/replacement door specification.
Secured by Design — UK police security initiative; specifies which lock/door standards it endorses.
Part P, Building Regulations (England & Wales) — notifiable electrical work; relevant only if mains wiring is added for hub/access-control power.
BS EN 179 / BS EN 1125 — emergency exit/panic hardware standards, relevant where a smart lock is fitted to a fire escape door.
Insurance Approved Locks | Kasper the Locksmith — BS3621 & TS007 Guide 2026 — current UK insurer lock standard requirements
DHF | TS 007 — official standard body reference for TS 007 star ratings
Comparing Secure Diamond Cylinder Locks | Doorfit — TS 007 vs Sold Secure Diamond comparison
Aviva: Public Loss Prevention Standards – Asset Classes — insurer security specification reference
smart lock installation guide — technical fitting process for the same job category
part p notifications — what electrical work is and isn't notifiable
public liability insurance guide — insurance considerations for tradespeople doing security work
home automation protocols — Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/Zigbee/Z-Wave/Matter comparison relevant to connectivity add-on pricing