Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
Answers to the most common questions about Cobra Locksmith Services Ltd — pricing, emergencies, services, qualifications, coverage and more. Can't find what you need? Call Tommy directly or use the contact form.
Emergency Locksmith Questions
If you're locked out right now, call 07749 321303 — don't scroll through FAQs. These answers are for people planning ahead.
How quickly can you reach me if I'm locked out in Liverpool?
Target response time for emergency lockouts in Liverpool is 30 minutes. In practice, response is typically 15–40 minutes depending on your postcode and what is currently underway. Tommy gives an honest estimated arrival time on the call — not an optimistic figure designed to stop you calling someone else.
- City centre L1–L3: typically 15–25 minutes
- Inner suburbs (Wavertree, Kensington, Toxteth): 15–30 minutes
- Outer suburbs (Woolton, Crosby, Bootle): 25–40 minutes
- St Helens / Widnes: 30–45 minutes
For a live ETA right now, call 07749 321303. Tommy will tell you exactly where he is and how long he will be.
Can you open a door at 2am or in the middle of the night?
Yes — 24/7 with no time restrictions. There is no period when emergency call-outs are refused. A late-night job in Liverpool City Centre at 1am is on the recent jobs page as a real example.
An out-of-hours surge applies between 10pm and 8am (+£40 on the standard job price). No call-out fee is charged at any hour. The total cost is given on the phone before attending. For context, a standard cylinder lock pick with no damage is the most common late-night outcome — most lockouts do not require parts.
What happens if my key snaps inside the lock?
Key-in-lock extraction is a specific technique and should not be attempted by the homeowner — pushing the broken key further in or using pliers makes extraction harder and can damage the cylinder.
The process Tommy uses:
- Specialist extraction hooks remove the broken piece without drilling in most cases
- If the cylinder has been damaged by a previous attempt, the cylinder is drilled accurately and replaced the same visit
- If the cylinder is undamaged after extraction, it continues working normally with a new cut key
For broken key extraction in Liverpool, call 07749 321303 — this is a same-day emergency job in most cases. Replacement cylinders are stocked on the van.
Can you help if my child is locked inside the house?
Yes — and this is treated as an absolute priority. A child locked inside a property — particularly a young child — is an immediate emergency. Call 07749 321303 and state the situation clearly. Tommy will give a live ETA and attend as fast as road conditions allow.
In the meantime:
- Stay calm and keep talking to the child through the door or window
- If the child is in danger — gas smell, fire, medical emergency — call 999 immediately. Police and fire service can force entry faster than a locksmith in a genuine life-threatening emergency.
- Check all windows and back doors before the locksmith arrives — a ground-floor window that opens may allow safe access without breaking anything
If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 999 first. Emergency services have the fastest forced entry capability. Call a locksmith for non-life-threatening situations where a calm resolution is possible.
What should I do while waiting for an emergency locksmith?
Practical steps while Tommy is on the way:
- Stay safe: If it's late at night, wait in your car, at a neighbour's, or in a well-lit area rather than alone on the street
- Check all entry points: Back door, garage connecting door, ground-floor windows — one may already be unlocked
- Don't attempt to force the lock: Forcing a UPVC multipoint lock can jam the mechanism permanently and turn a simple lockout into a full mechanism replacement
- Have your phone charged: Tommy will call before arriving with a live update
- Note the lock type if possible: Yale-type nightlatch, euro cylinder, or mortice — this helps Tommy bring the right tools
What Will It Cost?
Pricing questions answered clearly before you book.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
No — never. There is no call-out fee for any job, at any time of day. This includes emergency lockouts, free site visits to diagnose repairs, and scheduled appointments. If we attend and you decide not to proceed with the work, there is no charge for the visit whatsoever.
No call-out fee, no VAT (Cobra is not VAT registered), and no extras added at the door. The price quoted is the price paid. See the Checkatrade profile for customer confirmation of this.
How much does a locksmith cost in Liverpool?
For straightforward jobs like emergency lockouts or standard cylinder changes, a price is given on the phone. For repairs needing diagnosis first, Tommy attends free and gives the exact total cost on site with no obligation to proceed.
Surge charges: +£15 (5pm–10pm) · +£40 (10pm–8am). No VAT. No call-out fee. See our full locksmith cost guide for more.
Do you charge VAT?
No. Cobra Locksmith Services Ltd is not VAT registered. 20% VAT is never added to any invoice. Many national locksmith companies and franchises are VAT registered and add 20% at the point of payment — sometimes only revealing this after the work is done. With Cobra, the quoted price is always the final price.
Will the price change after you arrive?
No. The price given — on the phone for simple jobs, or on site after the free diagnosis for complex repairs — is fixed. It does not change. There are no hidden extras, no parts surcharges added separately, and no VAT at the door. This is confirmed by 287+ customer reviews across Google and Checkatrade.
I have just moved house. Should I change the locks?
Yes — strongly recommended. When you move into any property, multiple people may hold keys you are unaware of:
- Previous owners or tenants — and anyone they gave a key to
- Estate agents — agents hold keys throughout the marketing period and viewings
- Tradespeople — builders, cleaners, plumbers instructed by the previous owner
- Neighbours — a spare key “left with the neighbour” that was never retrieved
There is no reliable way to know how many key copies exist. A new cylinder fitted on moving in resets this completely. Most new homeowner lock changes across Liverpool are carried out same-day, with British Standard Kitemark cylinders as standard. It is one of the most cost-effective home security decisions you can make.
A keyed-alike system for new homeowners means all locks on the property work with two keys (front and rear) rather than a separate key per door. More on lock changes →
Do you offer same-day service?
Yes — for emergency lockouts always, and for non-emergency work where availability allows. Scheduled work (lock changes, security upgrades, UPVC repairs) can usually be booked same-day or next-day during standard hours (Mon–Fri 9am–4pm). Most lock types and UPVC parts are stocked on the van.
Call 07749 321303 or use the contact form to check same-day availability.
Services, Lock Types & What to Expect
Technical questions about the work Cobra carries out.
Can you open my door without drilling the lock?
Non-destructive entry is always attempted first. Lock picking and manipulation leaves the cylinder intact and the original key continues to work. Drilling is only used when non-destructive methods have been exhausted — for example when a cylinder has already been damaged or snapped. Any drilling is explained before proceeding and a replacement cylinder is fitted the same visit.
What types of locks do you fit?
All major lock types and British Standards are covered:
- UPVC and composite doors: TS007 3-star anti-snap euro cylinders — meeting Secured by Design standards
- Wooden doors: BS3621 5-lever mortice deadlocks — required by most UK home insurance policies
- Sash locks: Combined mortice deadlock and latch for wooden doors
- Night latches: Yale-type and British Standard rim cylinder locks
- Smart locks: Keypad and app-controlled cylinders for short-lets, AirBnBs and HMOs
Are your locks insurance approved?
Yes. All cylinders are TS007 3-star anti-snap rated and mortice locks are BS3621 5-lever — meeting Secured by Design specifications required by most UK home insurance policies. Documentation confirming the standard of lock fitted is available on request for insurance purposes.
What is an anti-snap lock and do I need one?
Cylinder snapping is the most common burglary method on UPVC and composite doors in the UK. A standard euro cylinder can be snapped with basic tools in seconds. A TS007 anti-snap cylinder has an internal security barrier that prevents the mechanism from operating even after the outer section is broken off.
If your home has a UPVC or composite door with a non-TS007 cylinder, it is vulnerable to snapping. Upgrading the cylinder is the single most effective security improvement for these door types. Merseyside Police specifically recommend anti-snap cylinders for all UPVC properties. See the full anti-snap locks guide.
Can you repair a UPVC door that won't lock properly?
UPVC door repairs are one of the most common jobs. The most frequent faults are gearbox failure (the multipoint mechanism), door misalignment (often mistaken for a lock fault — realignment fixes it without replacing parts), and worn handle spindles. Most major brands are stocked on the van for same-day repair. Send a WhatsApp video of the problem for a free diagnosis before booking.
What do you do after a burglary?
Burglary repairs are priority emergency callouts. Tommy attends immediately, makes the property secure the same visit, replaces damaged hardware, upgrades to TS007 cylinders, and provides documentation for insurance. Merseyside Police advise obtaining a crime reference number for your insurer — this can be done in parallel with securing the property.
Can you install smart locks?
Yes. Smart lock installation for keypad cylinders, app-controlled access and complete smart handle sets. Commonly fitted for short-lets, AirBnBs and HMO landlords. Compatibility with your door type is checked before any parts are ordered — composite and UPVC doors have specific requirements. A WhatsApp photo of the existing hardware speeds up the compatibility check.
Coverage Across Liverpool & the North West
Which areas Cobra covers and honest response times.
Which Liverpool postcodes and suburbs do you cover?
All Liverpool postcodes L1–L36 are covered, including: Anfield L4 · Walton L9 · Bootle L20 · Crosby L23 · Wavertree L15 · Kensington L7 · Toxteth L8 · Aigburth L17 · Allerton L18 · Woolton L25. See the full coverage map for all areas and response times.
Do you cover St Helens and Widnes?
Do you cover Warrington and Runcorn?
Warrington (WA1–WA5) is typically 40–55 minutes and Runcorn (WA7) is 35–45 minutes. Northern Cheshire — Ellesmere Port, Neston, Northwich — is 35–65 minutes. Same pricing across all areas, no out-of-area premium.
Are you a local Liverpool locksmith or a national company?
Cobra is based at Goodlass Road, Liverpool L24. Tommy is the sole operator and attends every job personally — not a franchise, call centre, or subcontractor network. Many search results for “locksmith Liverpool” are national companies with local-sounding names that dispatch subcontractors. The price quoted on the phone may not match what the subcontractor charges on arrival. With Cobra, Tommy answers, Tommy quotes, Tommy attends. See the about page and Checkatrade profile.
Qualifications, Checks & Verification
How to verify Tommy's credentials before allowing access to your property.
What qualifications does Tommy hold?
All of the following are carried on every job and available to show on request:
- City & Guilds locksmithing qualification — the industry-recognised trade qualification referenced by the Master Locksmiths Association
- NCFE certification — national vocational certification in security systems and professional locksmith practice
- Enhanced DBS certificate — highest level criminal record check available in the UK
- Full public and professional liability insurance — covering all residential and commercial work
Are you DBS checked?
Yes. Tommy holds an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate — the highest level of criminal record check available in the UK. It is carried on every job and available to show before entry to your property. You should always ask any locksmith for their DBS certificate before allowing them into your home — any reputable locksmith will show it without hesitation.
Are you on Checkatrade?
Yes. The Cobra Locksmith Checkatrade profile has been independently verified — insurance confirmed, background checked, customer reviews posted after completed jobs that cannot be edited or removed. In addition, Cobra has 287+ five-star Google reviews with a 5.0 rating. The reviews page has a selection of these, and all can be read on Google Business Profile.
How do I know the person arriving is actually Tommy?
Tommy calls or messages before arriving with an estimated time. He drives a Cobra Locksmith Services signwritten van. DBS certificate and proof of insurance are available on request at the door before work begins. You can also cross-reference the business details against the Checkatrade profile or Google Business Profile.
Always verify any locksmith's credentials before entry. Ask for DBS, insurance proof and trade qualification. Any reputable locksmith will show all three without hesitation.
Commercial, Business & Landlord Services
Questions from landlords, letting agents, property managers and business owners.
Can you secure commercial premises?
Yes. Commercial locksmith services cover offices, retail shopfronts, warehouses and multi-occupancy buildings across Liverpool and Merseyside. Common commercial jobs include: shopfront lock changes, office door cylinder upgrades, access control installation, aluminium door repairs and master key system design. Commercial call-outs are treated as priority jobs where premises cannot be secured.
Can you install master key systems?
Yes. Master key systems are designed and installed for HMOs, office buildings, student accommodation and multi-unit residential properties. A master key system means one key (held by management) opens every lock, while individual restricted keys open only the specific doors each person needs access to.
The system is designed before any cylinders are ordered — door count, access levels and key distribution are specified first. This avoids the common mistake of ordering cylinders and then trying to make them work together after installation.
Can you work outside normal business hours?
Yes. Emergency commercial call-outs are available 24/7 — a locked-out member of staff or a compromised shopfront door does not wait until 9am. Out-of-hours surge charges apply (same as residential: +£15 from 5–10pm, +£40 from 10pm–8am). Scheduled commercial work — planned lock changes, access control installation, master key commissioning — can be arranged for early mornings, evenings or weekends to minimise disruption to business operations.
Can you invoice businesses and letting agents?
Yes. Invoices can be addressed to a business, letting agency or management company rather than an individual. VAT invoices are not applicable as Cobra is not VAT registered, but a standard invoice with full job details, parts specification and company details is provided for every commercial job. For landlords and letting agents with regular requirements, contract pricing and scheduling is available.
Do you do HMO compliance work?
Yes. HMO compliance work covers thumb-turn cylinder fitting on all fire doors (required by HMO licensing for escape routes), communal entrance security, individual room door locks, and master key systems. All work meets Liverpool City Council HMO licensing requirements. Documentation confirming lock specifications is available for licence applications.
Can you help with between-tenancy lock changes?
Yes — between-tenancy lock changes are one of the most common jobs for Liverpool landlords and letting agents. Multiple properties can be scheduled on the same day, and it is strongly recommended regardless of whether keys have been returned — there is no guaranteed way to know how many copies have been made during a tenancy. More on landlord locksmith services →
Locksmith Advice & Security Guides
Practical guides written by Tommy from real trade experience — not copied from manufacturer specs.
Still Have a Question?
Call Tommy directly — he answers personally, not a call centre. No call-out fee, no VAT, free diagnosis for any repair. 287+ five-star reviews across Google and Checkatrade.