The average cost to secure a home in the UK in 2026 is £250–£1,500 for a full door and window upgrade
Many homeowners search for the upfront cost of improving home security. The answer depends on whether you choose a basic DIY upgrade or a full professional installation.
Securing a home costs £250-£1,500 for a full door and window upgrade. A basic DIY kit with new locks and window restrictors starts at £50. Professional installation of PAS 24 doors and windows runs £1,000-£1,500.
- Budget £50-£150 for a basic DIY security upgrade.
- Professional door and window upgrades cost £1,000-£1,500.
- High-security mortice deadlocks cost £80-£150 fitted.
- PAS 24 is the minimum for new-build insurance compliance.
- BS 3621 is the standard for any secure lock.
- The average cost to secure a home in the UK in 2026 is £250–£1,500 for a full door and window upgrade
- Quick numbers — average prices for the five most common security upgrades
- The three security ratings that actually matter for UK doors
- How to secure your home without replacing your front door — the lock-only upgrade
- The direct answer to "how to secure home" — the three-step checklist
- How to verify your installer is qualified (MCS, TrustMark, FENSA, or Gas Safe — which one matters for doors)
- What insurance discounts you can get for upgrading door security
- How long it takes to install a secure door — and what delays to expect
A basic DIY security upgrade including new locks, door chains, and window restrictors costs between £50 and £150. A professional installation of a full set of security-rated doors and windows costs £1,000 to £1,500 for a typical three-bedroom house, based on Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) 2026 pricing survey data (Master Locksmiths Association, 2026) and Secured by Design product database (Secured by Design, 2026).
Quick numbers — average prices for the five most common security upgrades
| Upgrade type | Average cost (fitted) | Installation time (hours) | Security rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-security mortice deadlock | £80–£150 | 1 | BS 3621 |
| 5-lever sash lock | £100–£180 | 1 | BS 3621 |
| Window restrictor | £15–£40 | 0.5 | BS EN 13126 |
| PAS 24 composite door | £800–£1,200 | 2–4 | PAS 24 |
| PAS 24 UPVC window | £400–£700 | 1–2 | PAS 24 |
All figures come from the MLA 2026 national price list (MLA, 2026) and BSI Shop for British Standards (BSI, 2026).
The three security ratings that actually matter for UK doors
Three security ratings set the standard for UK doors. Understanding them helps you choose the right product.
BS 3621 is the minimum standard for a mortice deadlock. Any lock sold as “secure” must meet it (BSI, 2026).
PAS 24 is the enhanced security standard for a complete door assembly including frame, hinge, and lock. It is required for insurance compliance on new-builds under Building Regulations Approved Document Q (GOV.UK, 2026).
STS 202 is the highest voluntary standard for doors tested against physical attack. It requires doors to withstand 10 minutes of sustained attack (Secured by Design, 2026).
How to secure your home without replacing your front door — the lock-only upgrade
You can upgrade an existing wooden or UPVC door without replacing the whole unit. This costs significantly less than a full door replacement.
For wooden doors, fit a BS 3621 mortice deadlock at a cost of £80–£150 fitted, or a 5-lever sash lock at £100–£180 fitted (MLA, 2026). For UPVC doors, replace the existing cylinder with a TS 007 3-star cylinder costing £40–£80. This resists snap, bump, and drill attacks (BSI, 2026).
Compare the cost of a full door replacement versus a lock upgrade on a typical 3-bed semi
The three-step checklist
Follow these three steps to secure your home effectively. Each step targets the most common entry points used by burglars.
Step 1: Fit BS 3621 deadlocks on all external doors at a cost of £80–£150 each. Step 2: Install PAS 24-compliant windows or add window restrictors (BS EN 13126) on ground-floor openings at £15–£40 per restrictor. Step 3: Add a visible alarm system that is Secured by Design approved and a door chain or viewer for £20–£60 total (Secured by Design, 2026; GOV.UK Home Office, 2026).
How to verify your installer is qualified (MCS, TrustMark, FENSA, or Gas Safe — which one matters for doors)
Not all installer qualifications apply to door and window work. You need to check the correct scheme.
For door and window installation, the relevant scheme is FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment) or CERTASS. These certify compliance with Building Regulations Part L (thermal performance) and Part Q (security) (FENSA, 2026). TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality mark for all home improvements. Always check the installer is TrustMark-registered (TrustMark, 2026).
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) applies only to renewable energy systems such as solar panels and heat pumps. It is irrelevant for doors (MCS, 2026).
What insurance discounts you can get for upgrading door security
Most UK home insurers offer a premium reduction for fitting security-rated locks. The discount typically ranges from 5% to 15%.
You must notify your insurer and provide proof such as a receipt or FENSA certificate. Failure to do so voids the discount. The average annual saving is £25–£50 on a standard buildings and contents policy (Association of British Insurers, 2026).
Read more about how home insurance premiums are calculated based on security features
How long it takes to install a secure door — and what delays to expect
Installation time varies by the type of upgrade. A composite or UPVC PAS 24 door takes a professional 2–4 hours to fit, with labour costs of £200–£400. A lock-only upgrade takes 30 minutes to 1 hour (FENSA, 2026).
Delays arise from three common sources. Ordering custom sizes takes 2–4 weeks lead time. Planning permission is not needed for like-for-like replacement. Waiting for a FENSA-registered installer typically takes 1–2 weeks (MLA, 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
A basic DIY security upgrade costs £50-£150, while a full professional installation of security-rated doors and windows costs £1,000-£1,500 for a typical three-bedroom house, according to the Master Locksmiths Association 2026 pricing survey.
PAS 24 is the enhanced security standard required for new-build insurance compliance under Building Regulations Approved Document Q. STS 202 is the highest voluntary standard, requiring doors to withstand 10 minutes of attack (Secured by Design, 2026).
BS 3621 is the minimum British Standard for a mortice deadlock. Any lock marketed as 'secure' must meet this standard (BSI, 2026).
A PAS 24 composite door costs £800-£1,200 fitted, based on the MLA 2026 national price list.
You may need PAS 24 or STS 202 rated products for insurance compliance, especially on new-builds. Secured by Design certification is a police-approved standard that insurers often recognise.
