What it costs to replace a flat's front door lock in Tallinn

Cylinder swap versus a full lock replacement

A cylinder swap replaces just the barrel that the key turns, leaving the lock body, the strike plate and the handle in place. It is the right choice when you have lost keys, moved into a flat where you do not know who else has copies, or want a higher-security cylinder without touching the rest of the door. It is quick and usually the cheaper option.

A full lock replacement means taking out the whole mechanism, not just the cylinder, and fitting a new one. This is needed when the lock itself is worn, jammed, or damaged from a break-in attempt, or when the door has been drilled or forced and the housing around the lock is no longer sound. It takes longer and often needs some fitting work on the door itself.

What price ranges apply in Tallinn

A standard cylinder swap on an ordinary flat door, with a straightforward mid-range cylinder, typically runs to about 60–100 € including the callout and up to an hour's work. This covers most Soviet-era panel flat doors and newer developments where the door and frame are in good condition.

A full lock replacement, including a new lock body, strike plate adjustment if needed, and fitting, generally lands somewhere between 120 € and 220 €, depending on the lock chosen and how much work the door needs. Reinforced doors, older wooden doors in Kalamaja or Nõmme houses, or doors where the frame has shifted over the years can push the job towards the higher end or beyond, because more fitting and adjustment is involved.

What is included in the price and what costs extra

Our lock replacement work starts from 60 € per job, which covers a straightforward cylinder swap on a door in normal condition, the callout, and the fitting itself. A full lock body replacement is quoted as a fixed price once we know the door type and lock, valid for 30 days, so you know the final figure before work starts.

What is extra: the lock or cylinder itself if you want a specific brand or security grade we do not have on hand, and any carpentry needed if the door frame is split, swollen, or out of true. That kind of fitting work, straightening a striker plate, deepening a recess, or adjusting a misaligned frame, is charged as metal fitting from 45 € per hour. If we buy materials on your behalf, a 10 % handling fee applies, or you can supply the lock yourself.

How call-out pricing applies for an urgent job

Within Tallinn, a call-out is 25 €, and this is deducted from the final bill if the work goes ahead, so you are not paying it twice. For an urgent same-day or out-of-hours job, such as a lock damaged during a break-in attempt or keys locked inside, the same hourly rate applies from 39 € an hour, with the call-out on top if you decide not to proceed.

Because we are on call around the clock, an urgent lock replacement in the evening or at a weekend is entirely possible, but it is worth telling us upfront what you know about the damage so we can bring the right cylinder or lock the first time, rather than making two trips.

Is it worth trying it yourself or calling a tradesman

A basic cylinder swap on a standard door is genuinely one of the easier jobs in the house, and if you are comfortable with a screwdriver and can find a matching cylinder by measuring the two halves correctly, doing it yourself is a reasonable option. The main risk is buying the wrong length or a cylinder that does not match your existing keys for other doors in the building.

Where it stops being a false economy question and becomes worth calling someone: when the door has been forced or drilled, when the frame no longer sits square, when you are unsure whether the strike plate needs moving, or when you simply want the job done and guaranteed. Our own work carries a 24-month guarantee covering the work itself, which is worth something if the lock later sticks or the fitting comes loose.

• Straightforward cylinder swap on a sound door: reasonable to do yourself
• Measure both sides of the door to get cylinder length right before buying
• Forced, drilled or misaligned doors: call a tradesman rather than guess
• Get a fixed quote for a full lock replacement before work starts
• Ask about the 24-month guarantee if you want the peace of mind