Mobile locksmith

Homeowners locked out or worried about security, landlords, letting agents and small businesses.

A call-out fee plus labour and parts for each job, with higher prices for urgent or out-of-hours work and repeat work from landlords and agents.

• Practical, fine hand skills
• Calm and reassuring with stressed customers
• Honest pricing and good record keeping

• Public liability insurance, and check whether cover includes lock-opening and your tools
• The locksmith trade is not generally licensed in the UK, but check for any changes and whether a trade body membership or DBS check would help win work
• Proof of identity and ownership before opening a door, to avoid helping someone break into a property
• Unreliable lead-generation sites can charge high fees, so work out your costs before signing up
• Out-of-hours work can disrupt your evenings and weekends

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the tools, locks and stock you buy, and the vehicle you use. Treat this as an estimate and cost up your own kit list before you begin.

The trade is not generally licensed in the UK, but check for any changes. Also check whether trade body membership or a DBS check would help win work, plus public liability insurance and whether it covers lock-opening and your tools.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many call-outs you take, your pricing and the hours you work. These are estimates, and lead-generation site fees or out-of-hours work may affect what you keep.