Do you charge a call-out fee?

No — I don’t charge a call-out fee anywhere in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch or the Dorset villages. You only pay for the work carried out.

How quickly can you get to me?

In most cases I can be with you within 20–40 minutes depending on location and traffic. For booked-in jobs, I arrive exactly at the agreed time.

Can you open my door without damaging it?

Yes — I specialise in non-destructive entry wherever possible. Most lockouts are resolved without drilling or replacing the lock.

Do you work on uPVC and composite doors?

Absolutely. I repair, realign, and replace mechanisms, keeps, hinges, handles and cylinders on all uPVC and composite doors.

Should I change the locks when moving into a new home?

Yes — it’s always recommended. You never know who may still have keys. I can supply and fit new British Standard locks the same day.

What areas do you cover?

I cover Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, Ferndown, Ringwood, and the surrounding Dorset villages.

What locks do you fit as standard?

I fit British Standard 1-star cylinders as standard, with 3-star options available for extra security.

Are you a genuine local locksmith?

Yes — I’m an independent locksmith based in Bournemouth, not a national call centre. You always deal with me directly.

Why a Simple uPVC Door Realignment Can Save Homeowners Hundreds of Pounds

james07406
Aug 13
2 min read

One of the most common calls I get around Bournemouth is from customers saying their uPVC door has become stiff, won’t lock properly, or needs lifting to get the key to turn. Most people assume something major has failed — usually the gearbox — and they’re bracing themselves for a big bill. In reality, around 80–90% of these issues come down to one thing: misalignment.

A uPVC door doesn’t stay perfectly set forever. Over time, the weight of the door causes a natural drop. Hinges work loose, keeps shift slightly, and hot weather expands the frame. It only takes a few millimetres of movement for the locking points to stop lining up. When that happens, the door starts fighting back every time you try to close it.

The good news is that a proper realignment puts everything back where it should be. No new parts, no unnecessary replacements — just skilled adjustment.

I had a perfect example today. The customer thought their lock was failing because they had to lift the handle hard to get it to engage. After checking the compression, hinges and keeps, it was clear the door had simply dropped. A few careful adjustments later, the door closed smoothly, the lock engaged perfectly, and the handle felt brand new. A job that could have cost them £150–£300 elsewhere ended up being a quick, affordable fix at £65.

upvc door being serviced and realigned — upvc door realignment

There are a few signs homeowners should look out for:

Handle feels stiff or heavy
Door rubs at the top or bottom
Lock only works when the door is lifted
Gaps around the seal
Whistling or draughts in windy weather

Ignoring these early signs can lead to bigger problems. A misaligned door puts strain on the gearbox, hooks, rollers and even the handles. What starts as a simple adjustment can turn into a full mechanism failure if left too long.

If your uPVC door isn’t locking smoothly or feels like it’s fighting you, a realignment might be all it needs. I’m out in Bournemouth daily and can usually fix this sort of issue on the spot, saving you the cost of unnecessary parts and keeping your door working exactly as it should.