Door repairs
Door repairs
in East London
Doors that stick, drop, catch on the frame or will not lock. We repair wooden, uPVC and composite doors so they open, close and lock properly again.
- MLA member
- Fully insured
- Open 24/7
- Card, cash, Clearpay or Klarna
Quick answer
Why will my door only lock when I lift the handle hard?
Usually the door has dropped on its hinges or the keeps on the frame are out of line, so the bolts no longer meet their holes. It is normally an adjustment, not a new lock or door.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a Master Locksmiths Association member.
Fault finder
Common door problems and the usual fix
Find what is happening to you. If it is not here, call us and describe it: we will tell you what it needs and what it will cost.
Tap what is happening to see the usual cause and fix.
| What you notice | Usually the cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Only locks if you lift the handle hard | Door has dropped or the keeps are out of line. | Hinges and keeps adjusted. |
| Door catches the frame | Hinges worn, door swollen or frame moved. | Hinges adjusted or replaced, edge eased. |
| Draught or light round the edge | The door is not sitting tight in the frame. | Adjusted so it closes and seals properly. |
| Frame split after a break-in | Forced entry. | Frame repaired and a new keep fitted. |
| Communal door slams or will not close | A worn or badly set door closer. | Closer adjusted or replaced. |
Only locks if you lift the handle hard
Usually: Door has dropped or the keeps are out of line.
Hinges and keeps adjusted.
Door catches the frame
Usually: Hinges worn, door swollen or frame moved.
Hinges adjusted or replaced, edge eased.
Draught or light round the edge
Usually: The door is not sitting tight in the frame.
Adjusted so it closes and seals properly.
Frame split after a break-in
Usually: Forced entry.
Frame repaired and a new keep fitted.
Communal door slams or will not close
Usually: A worn or badly set door closer.
Closer adjusted or replaced.
Door repairs
What we do
Often a door only needs adjusting or a worn hinge or keep replacing, which costs far less than a new lock or a new door.
- Doors that stick or drop
- Doors that will not lock
- Hinges and keeps
- Frames damaged by forced entry
- Letterboxes and door furniture
- Closers on communal doors
What is included
- We find the cause first
- Hinges, keeps and frames adjusted or replaced
- Price agreed before we start
- Lock tested once the door is right
- Advice if a new door is the only fix
Book the right fix
Door repair or lock repair?
Tell us what you notice and we will send the right person with the right parts.
| What you notice | Usually caused by | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Only locks if you lift the handle hard | Door or keeps out of line | Door repair (this page) |
| Door catches or will not shut | Hinges, swelling or the frame | Door repair (this page) |
| Key stiff even with the door open | Worn cylinder or lock | Lock repair |
| Handle floppy or spins | Spring or gearbox in a uPVC lock | uPVC lock repair |
| Frame split after a break-in | Forced entry | After burglary repairs |
Good to know
Common door problems and the usual fix
Most doors only need adjusting.
- Door catches on the frameAdjust the hinges or plane the edge.
- Only locks if you lift the handleRealign the keeps, or adjust the hinges on a uPVC door.
- Frame split by a forced entryRepair the frame and fit a new keep.
- Communal door slamsReplace or adjust the closer.
Good to knowCommon door problems and the usual fix
- Door catches on the frameAdjust the hinges or plane the edge.
- Only locks if you lift the handleRealign the keeps, or adjust the hinges on a uPVC door.
- Frame split by a forced entryRepair the frame and fit a new keep.
- Communal door slamsReplace or adjust the closer.
Four simple steps
How it works
7 days a week
- Tell us what it is doingPhotos help. We give you the price.
- We come to youSame day or at a time you choose.
- We fix the doorMost doors only need adjusting, or a worn hinge or keep replaced.
- Checked with youWe open, shut and lock it with you before we leave.
Prices
Supplied and fitted prices
All prices are supplied and fitted: the lock, fitting and labour, with no hidden extras. We confirm your price on the call before we come out.
uPVC doors
Multipoint locks on uPVC and composite doors.- Opening a door with a failed mechanism
- from £120
- uPVC door alignment
- from £90
- Mechanism replacement
- Priced on the call
Euro cylinders
On most uPVC and composite doors, and many wooden ones.- Kitemarked 1-star cylinder, usually with 5 keys
- from £95
- Kitemarked 3-star anti-snap cylinder
- from £130
The locks we fit
Quality locks, not cheap imports
Not all locksmiths use the same locks. Some fit cheap unbranded locks that can wear quickly and fail. We do not.
- From proper suppliersEvery lock we fit is bought from reputable, well-established UK locksmith wholesalers.
- British Standard and KitemarkedCylinders carry the BSI Kitemark to TS007, and our mortice deadlocks meet BS 3621, the standard most home insurers ask for.
- Built to lastBranded locks work smoothly for years. Cheap ones can stick, wear and fail, which means another call-out.
- One price, all-inclusiveThe lock, fitting and labour in one price, agreed on the call before we come out.
Where we work
Door repairs across East London
The same service and the same prices in every borough we cover, 24 hours a day.
Why will my door only lock when I lift the handle hard?
Usually the door has dropped or the keeps are out of line. That is normally an adjustment, not a new lock.
Can you repair a door frame after a break-in?
Yes. We repair split frames and fit new keeps, and can board up first if the door is not secure.
Do you fix communal and fire doors?
Yes. We repair closers, hinges and locks on shared entrances. Fire doors are repaired with fire-rated parts.
Do I need a new door?
Rarely. If it is beyond repair we will tell you and give you a price, but most doors can be fixed.
Can you fix a door that has dropped?
Usually, yes. Most uPVC and composite doors have adjustable hinges, and wooden doors can be rehung.
Why does my door stick in summer?
Doors expand in the heat, and uPVC most of all. If it only happens when it is warm, an adjustment usually fixes it.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a member of the Master Locksmiths Association. Standards and advice on this page follow UK guidance.