Handle floppy? Door won't lock when closed? Key stuck halfway? About 70% of uPVC door problems are a gearbox or handle repair, not a full strip replacement. We diagnose in 5 minutes, quote a fitted price on the spot, and carry every major brand in the van.
Fixed prices · No VAT add-ons · No call-out fee
When your uPVC door stops locking, the panicked first thought is usually "new door, new strip, new everything". The reality is tamer: about 70% of the jobs we attend in South London are a single-part repair — a handle, a gearbox, a cylinder, or a hinge adjustment. The door skin is almost always fine. Our DBS-checked engineers carry every major brand in the van, so we diagnose and fix in one visit.
The rogue operator move is to quote £450+ for a "full multipoint replacement" before they've even touched the door. We refuse to do that. Every visit starts with a free 5-minute diagnosis: we identify the brand (Fullex, Winkhaus, ERA, Fuhr, Mila, Lockmaster), pinpoint the broken part, and quote a fitted price before we reach for a spanner. If you want the background theory on uPVC multipoint systems, our locksmith advice blog covers BS3621 compliance and gearbox grading. Same prices across our entire service area — SW, SE, CR, SM, and BR postcodes.
The repair-before-replace pledge: we will always try the cheaper fix first. If a £150 handle swap solves it, that's what we fit. If a £350 gearbox does it, that's what we fit. Full £450 strip replacements only happen when the multipoint is genuinely dead — and we show you why before you agree. Get in touch for a diagnosis first.
Every figure below is the total we invoice — parts, labour, VAT, call-out, and the drive to your postcode. No hourly rate creep, no forced replacement upsell.
Multipoint centre case swap — direct like-for-like, keeps your existing hooks & shoot bolts.
Inside & outside handle set swap, including split or single spindle.
Standard 5-pin cylinder, correctly sized (no overhang, no snapping risk).
Kitemarked cylinder that resists lock-snap attacks. Insurance-recommended.
Complete multipoint rebuild — new gearbox, hooks, shoot bolts & keeps. Only when genuinely needed.
Non-destructive entry first. We don't drill unless we have to, and we tell you before we do.
Key snapped in the cylinder — removed without damaging the lock body.
Hinge adjustment to re-seat the door in its frame so the multipoint engages again.
Six symptoms, six likely causes, six honest prices. Tell us which one matches on the phone and we'll confirm on arrival.
The internal gearbox spring cassette has failed — nothing connects the handle to the locking cams.
Either the door has dropped on its hinges and the hooks can't reach the keeps, or the gearbox levers are jammed.
Cylinder is fine — the issue is between the cylinder cam and the gearbox dead bolt.
Pins inside the Euro cylinder are worn or a foreign object has jammed the keyway.
The door has dropped on its flag hinges. Common in older properties and after hot weather.
Door has expanded/contracted and the hooks no longer line up with the keeps. Alignment, not parts.
Not sure what yours is? Send us a WhatsApp photo of the faceplate — we'll identify it in under a minute. No waiting two weeks for a "special order" gearbox.
Crimebeater series. Common failure: centre-case cams snap after 10–15 years. Gearbox-only repair available.
In Van StockSTV and AV2 ranges. Known for reliability but the electronic models need OEM parts. Direct replacement or upgrade.
In Van StockSaracen and Vectis series. Budget-friendly common fit on 2000s new builds. Easy to identify by the flat brass faceplate.
In Van StockMultisafe 855 and similar. High-end German engineering, sealed gearboxes. Specific fitment required, we stock it.
In Van StockProlinea and Master series. Usually fitted to composite doors. Handle & gearbox sold as matched sets.
In Van StockOlder and premium ranges. Less common but we carry adapters for direct like-for-like replacement.
Bespoke OrderCall or WhatsApp a photo of the handle, faceplate, and keeper. We identify the brand and shortlist the likely cause before we leave the depot.
On arrival we confirm the fault in under 5 minutes, show you the broken part, and give you the fitted price in writing before any work starts.
Repair completed in one visit, tested 5–6 lock cycles, 12-month workmanship guarantee. Card, cash, or bank transfer accepted on completion.
We don't add "zone surcharges" for far-side jobs. The fitted price is identical whether you're in Balham SW12 or Penge SE20.
Croydon, Sutton, Wallington, Purley, Coulsdon, Thornton Heath, South Croydon, Sanderstead, Kenley, Norbury, Streatham, Clapham, Brixton, Balham, Tooting, Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Putney, Lambeth, Camberwell, Peckham, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Crystal Palace, Bromley, Beckenham, Mitcham, Morden, Carshalton. Same fitted repair price across every borough.
"Two other firms quoted me £500+ for a full strip replacement on my Fullex door. These guys turned up, looked at it for two minutes, said 'that's a gearbox, we carry it'. £350 fitted, done in 40 minutes. The handle works perfectly."
"My front door dropped over the summer and wouldn't lock anymore. I was sure I needed a whole new door. They spent twenty minutes adjusting the hinges and keep plate — £150 fitted, no parts needed. Proper honest work."
"Back door handle snapped off in my hand mid-lock. Sent a WhatsApp photo at 8am, they confirmed it was a Winkhaus STV, arrived by 9.30 with the exact part. £150 for the handle swap including new screws. Insurance happy, wife happy."
Same repair prices, same 30–45 minute arrival, every location and service below.
Send us a WhatsApp photo of the handle and faceplate. We'll identify the brand, diagnose the fault, and be on your doorstep inside 45 minutes with the exact part.