What Is the Key Cutting Process and Why It Matters
Right, let’s cut to the chase: you need a spare key cut, and you want to know how much it’s going to cost you.
Fair question. Nobody wants to get stung with unexpected charges, and when it comes to something as seemingly simple as copying a key, you’d think it’d be straightforward pricing, wouldn’t you?
Well, yes and no. Like most things in life, the cost of key cutting depends on quite a few factors. But don’t worry—we’re going to break it all down so you know exactly what to expect and, more importantly, why paying a bit more for a professional job is usually worth it.
The Short Answer: What You’ll Probably Pay
Let’s start with the numbers everyone actually wants to know:
Basic house keys: £10-£20 per key
- Your standard Yale or mortice key
- The ones that open most front doors
- Quick to cut, widely available
High-security keys: £30-£100+
- Anti-snap cylinders
- Restricted keys that need authorisation
- Complex groove patterns
- Often requires proof of ownership
Specialist locks: £50-£150+
- Antique or unusual locks
- Safes
- Commercial high-security systems
So there you go—that’s the ballpark. But let’s dig into why there’s such a massive range and what actually affects the price.
What Actually Affects How Much You’ll Pay?
The Type of Key (Obviously)
Not all keys are created equal, and your basic house key is going to cost a lot less than a high-security key or a key with electronic components.
Basic keys are cheap because they’re straightforward. The locksmith’s seen a thousand of them, they’ve got the blanks in stock, and it takes about five minutes.
High-security keys cost more because:
- They need specialised equipment
- The blanks themselves are more expensive
- They take longer to cut accurately
- You often need authorisation to get them duplicated
Where You Are (Location, Location, Location)
A locksmith in central London is going to charge more than one in a small market town. That’s just how it works. Higher rent, higher overheads, higher prices.
But don’t automatically assume the most expensive option is the best. Sometimes you’re just paying for a fancy postcode rather than better service. We cut keys while you wait at our Camberley base — see key cutting Camberley for opening hours. For key cutting Farnham, we cover most domestic and commercial patterns.
When You Need It Done
Need a key cut at 2 pm on a Wednesday? That’ll be the standard price.
Need it done at 10 pm on a Saturday night because you’ve just realised you only have one key and you’re going away tomorrow? Yeah, that’s going to cost you extra.
Out-of-hours charges are standard across the industry:
- Evenings (after 6 pm)
- Weekends
- Bank holidays
- Emergency call-outs
Fair enough, really. You wouldn’t want to work Saturday nights without being paid extra, either.
How Complex Your Lock Is
Got a standard Yale lock from the 1990s? Easy.
Got an antique lock from a Victorian house with a weird groove pattern that nobody’s seen before? That’s going to take longer and cost more.
Some specialist or antique locks require more time, precision, and sometimes custom work. The locksmith might even need to order specific blanks, which adds time and cost.
How Many Do You Need
Here’s a money-saving tip: if you need multiple keys, get them all done at once.
Most locksmiths will do bulk discounts. Getting five keys cut at the same time is almost always cheaper per key than coming back five separate times.
Think about everyone who might need a key:
- Family members
- Housemates
- Regular visitors (cleaner, dog walker, etc.)
- One for emergencies with a trusted neighbour
- One to keep at work
Sort them all in one go and save yourself some cash.
Why Professional Key Cutting Actually Matters
Right, here’s where people often go wrong. They see a key-cutting kiosk at the supermarket offering keys for a fiver and think “bargain!”
And look, sometimes those automated machines are absolutely fine for a basic spare. But there’s a reason professional locksmiths charge more, and it’s not just because they’re greedy.
Precision Equipment Makes a Difference
Professional locksmiths use calibrated, precision equipment that creates an exact match to your original key. Those automated machines in supermarkets? Not so much.
A properly cut key:
- Fits smoothly in your lock
- Turns easily without sticking
- Doesn’t wear out your lock over time
- Actually works when you need it to
A badly cut key from a cheap service:
- Might not fit properly
- It can damage your lock over time
- Might work initially, but fail after a few uses
- It could leave you locked out at the worst possible moment
They Can Spot Problems
A professional locksmith doesn’t just blindly copy your key. They’ll actually look at it and can tell you if:
- Your original key is worn and should be replaced
- Your lock is showing signs of wear
- You’d benefit from upgrading to a better lock
- Are there any security concerns
That’s not something a machine can do.
Quality Blanks Matter
Not all key blanks are the same quality. Professional locksmiths use better quality blanks that last longer and work more reliably.
Cheap blanks from automated machines can be made of softer metal that wears down quickly or brittle metal that might snap in your lock. And trust me, getting a snapped key out of a lock is not a fun (or cheap) experience.
High-Security Keys: Worth the Extra Cost
If you’ve got high-security locks (and you should—they’re brilliant), getting keys cut for them will cost more. But there’s a good reason for that. Prices are the same wherever you are, our locksmiths in Basingstoke charge no premium for the distance.
What makes them special:
- Unique groove patterns that are hard to copy
- Restricted duplication (you need authorisation)
- Often have electronic components
- Much more resistant to picking or bumping
Why do they cost more?
- Need specialist cutting equipment
- Require proof of ownership or ID
- Take longer to cut accurately
- The blanks themselves are more expensive
- Can only be done by authorised locksmiths
But here’s the thing: that extra cost is actually protecting you. The whole point of restricted keys is that random people can’t just get copies made. When you need a duplicate, you have to prove you’re actually authorised to have one.
It’s an inconvenience, yes, but it’s an inconvenience that keeps your home secure.
Never try to get high-security keys copied by unauthorised services or cheap online sellers. You’ll either end up with a key that doesn’t work, or you’ll compromise your security, which defeats the entire point.
How Long Will You Actually Wait?
Time is money, so let’s talk about how long this will take.
Standard house key: 5-10 minutes. You can literally wait while they do it. Pop into the shop, have a chat, and you’re done.
Multiple standard keys: 15-20 minutes. Still quick, but obviously takes a bit longer to do several.
High-security key: 20-45 minutes. More complex, needs more precision, takes longer. Some locksmiths might ask you to come back later if they’re busy.
Special order blanks: 1-3 days If they don’t have the specific blank in stock and need to order it, you’ll need to wait for delivery.
Mobile locksmith on-site: Can be instant. If you’re locked out and they come to you, they can often cut keys on the spot, which is incredibly handy.
Why Having Multiple Spares Is Smart (Not Paranoid)
Some people think having loads of spare keys is overkill. Those people have clearly never been locked out in the rain at midnight.
Reasons to have multiple spares:
You’re not the only person who needs access to your house. Family, housemates, kids, cleaners, dog walkers—they all need keys.
If you lose your main key and you only have one spare, you’re back to square one immediately. Having multiple spares means losing one isn’t a crisis.
Getting several cuts at once is cheaper than going back multiple times.
You can store them in different secure locations—one with a neighbour, one at work, one with family. You’re never completely stuck.
If someone loses their key, you’ve got another spare ready to go without needing an emergency trip to the locksmith.
Just remember to actually keep track of who has which key. Handing out keys like sweeties and then forgetting who’s got them isn’t great for security.
Where to Store Spare Keys (Not Under the Doormat)
Right, you’ve got your spare keys cut. Brilliant. Now, where are you going to keep them?
Terrible places to hide keys:
- Under the doormat (seriously, everyone knows this)
- In a plant pot by the door
- Above the doorframe
- Under a “decorative” rock in the garden
- In the meter box
Burglars aren’t stupid. These are the first places they look.
Actually sensible options:
- A proper lockable key safe, mounted somewhere discreet
- With a trusted neighbour, family member, or friend
- At work (if you can get there easily when needed)
- In your wallet or bag (separate from your main keys)
And please, for the love of all that is holy, never label your keys with your address. If you lose them, you’ve just given a stranger your key and told them exactly where you live. We also offer key cutting in Yateley and Blackwater.
Common Questions People Actually Ask
“Do I need to bring my lock to get a key cut?”
Nope, just the key. Or the key code if you’ve got it written down somewhere.
“Can I get a key cut without the original?”
Sometimes. If you know the key code (often stamped on the lock or in your moving-in paperwork), a locksmith can cut one from scratch. If you’ve lost all your keys and don’t have the code, they’ll need to pick the lock first to get the information they need.
“How much does rekeying cost compared to changing locks?”
Rekeying (changing the internal pins so old keys don’t work) is usually £50-£100 per lock. Changing the entire lock costs more—typically £100-£200+, depending on the type. Rekeying is fine if your locks are in good condition; replacing is better if they’re old or damaged.
“Should I rekey when I move house?”
Honestly? Yes. You don’t know who else has keys. Previous owners, their family, their mates, contractors they used, estate agents—loads of people potentially have access. Getting locks rekeyed or changed gives you peace of mind.
“Are those supermarket key-cutting machines any good?”
For a basic spare? Sometimes. For anything important? No. The quality is hit or miss, and you’ve got no comeback if the key doesn’t work or damages your lock.
The Bottom Line on Costs
Getting keys cut doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s one of those things where paying a bit more for quality is genuinely worth it.
What you should do:
- Get multiple spares cut at once (it’s cheaper)
- Use a professional locksmith for important keys
- Ask for a full quote upfront
- Check reviews before choosing a locksmith
- Store spares securely, not under the doormat
- Get keys cut when you move house
- Replace worn keys before they fail
What you shouldn’t do:
- Go for the absolute cheapest option for high-security keys
- Use automated machines for high-security or complex keys
- Hide spare keys in obvious places
- Wait until you’re locked out to sort spares
- Label keys with your address
- Ignore worn keys until they break
The cost of getting a few good quality spare keys cut now is nothing compared to the cost (financial and stress-wise) of being locked out or having poorly cut keys damage your locks.
Sort it today. Future, you will be incredibly grateful.
Need spare keys cut? Get in touch with a reputable local locksmith who can give you a proper quote and do the job right. Your locks—and your peace of mind—are worth it.
