Signs You Can Repair It
If the key is simply hard to turn, a spray of graphite lubricant (not WD-40) might fix it. Loose handles can often be fixed by tightening the internal screws.
Signs You Must Replace It
If the lock cylinder is completely jammed, the key has broken off inside, or the internal spring mechanism is snapped, repairing it is futile. You must replace the lock cylinder or the entire handle.
Cost of Replacement
For common HDB and condo main-door jobs, a like-for-like Euro cylinder swap is typically S$80–S$120; a full mortice lockset is typically S$150–S$250. Room-door tubular locks vary by hardware, so send photos of the lock face and door edge for a written scope before work starts.
WhatsApp a Photo of Your Lock for a QuoteKnow Your Lock Type Before You Decide
In Singapore homes the "repair vs replace" answer depends almost entirely on which lock you have. Identify yours below first — getting this wrong means paying for a full lockset when a S$5 part would have done, or replacing a cheap part on a lock that's actually beyond saving.
- HDB / condo room door — cylindrical (tubular) knob or lever lock. Cheap, modular and easy to swap. If only the cylinder is bad, the latch and strike plate usually stay. These are the most repair-friendly.
- HDB / condo main door — mortise lock. The whole mechanism sits inside a pocket cut into the door edge. More moving parts, multiple deadbolt throws, and the body is sized to that specific door. Repairs are fiddlier and replacements pricier.
- Gate locks (the metal grille gate). Often a separate rim lock or padlock-style cylinder exposed to corridor humidity, so rust and stiff keys are common here.
- Digital / smart locks. A flat battery is the No.1 "dead lock" call in Singapore — try fresh AA batteries or the emergency 9V terminal/mechanical key override before assuming failure. If the PCB or motor is gone, it is a replace, not a repair.
Symptom → Cause → Fix (Quick Diagnosis)
Use this to triage before you call anyone. Many issues are mechanical wear from Singapore's heat and humidity, not a fully dead lock.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Repair or Replace? |
|---|---|---|
| Key turns but door won't latch | Misaligned strike plate (door dropped/swelled) | Repair — realign plate / hinge adjust |
| Handle droops or spins freely | Loose set screws or worn spindle | Repair — tighten / replace spindle |
| Key sticks / grinds | Dirt or dry pins in cylinder | Repair — graphite/PTFE lube, not WD-40 |
| Key snapped inside | Worn key + forced turn | Usually replace cylinder |
| Deadbolt won't throw at all | Snapped internal spring/cam | Replace mechanism |
When to DIY vs When to Call a Pro
Reasonable DIY: tightening a loose lever, lubricating a stiff key barrel, or swapping AA batteries in a digital lock. These need only a screwdriver and ten minutes.
Call a pro when: a key has snapped inside the cylinder, the main door is locked shut with you outside, the door has dropped and no longer aligns, or a mortise body needs to be cut out and re-sized. Forcing a jammed main-door lock often damages the door leaf itself, which is far more expensive than the lock. A handyman or locksmith carries the extractor tools, matched cylinders and the patience to open the door without drilling it.
If you are locked out right now, do not keep jiggling a broken key — that pushes fragments deeper. Stop, and message a technician with a photo of the lock face so the right replacement cylinder can be brought on the first trip. Send a photo and our team brings the matched cylinder on the first trip — see our Singapore handyman service for same-day lock help, with the price confirmed before any work starts.
Indicative Door Lock Pricing (Singapore)
Use our door lock replacement price guide for the current full breakdown. The ranges below are indicative: materials, lock model and any door modification change the scope, so the written quote is confirmed before work starts.
| Job | Indicative Price |
|---|---|
| Like-for-like Euro cylinder swap | S$80–S$120 |
| Full mortice lockset replacement | S$150–S$250 |
| Re-key compatible existing cylinder | S$60–S$100 |
| Digital-lock installation, existing cut-out (labour only) | S$120–S$180 |
| Digital-lock unit + installation bundle | S$380–S$680 |
What FixMove does
FixMove (registered ALL-IN-ONE FIX & MOVE, UEN 53505530K) comes to you anywhere in Singapore — your HDB flat, condo, office or shop. There is no counter to visit. One number covers eight kinds of work: aircon, plumbing, electrical, handyman, installation, moving, renovation and full-house customisation. We are open 24 hours, Monday to Sunday, and where the work is regulated we arrange the appropriately licensed person.
Visit charges: A S$10 fuel surcharge applies to every visit. No additional standard call-out or inspection fee applies. Urgent service or a customer-requested appointment time adds one S$30 fee, subject to technician availability and confirmation. The S$30 is a separate service fee. Repair, diagnostic labour and materials are quoted separately; work starts only after customer approval.
A S$10 fuel surcharge applies to every visit. No additional standard call-out or inspection fee applies. Urgent service or a customer-requested appointment time adds one S$30 fee, subject to technician availability and confirmation. The S$30 is a separate service fee. Pricing terms.
See the lock-specific breakdown on our door lock replacement cost guide, or browse every service on the FixMove price index — all ranges are indicative and confirmed before work starts.