Locksmith · Quotes and invoices
Quote software for locksmiths
Door opening, cylinder replacement, door reinforcement: a quick on-site quote, with the price stated before you start and the invoice right after.
A sample locksmith quote
| Service | Qty | Unit price excl. VAT | Total excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call-out | 1 flat rate | €50.00 | €50.00 |
| Door opening (non-destructive) | 1 flat rate | €120.00 | €120.00 |
| High-security euro cylinder | 1 unit | €95.00 | €95.00 |
| Installation labor | 1 h | €60.00 | €60.00 |
VAT 10%: €32.50
Total incl. VAT: €357.50
Example for guidance only: prices and VAT rates vary depending on your region, suppliers and the job.
How to prepare a locksmith quote
For an accurate locksmith quote, clearly separate each item. The call-out is priced separately, as a flat rate, taking into account distance and time slot (evenings, weekends) if you apply a surcharge. Door opening is charged according to the technique: non-destructive when possible, with cylinder drilling if necessary, which you announce before starting. Supplies (cylinder, lock, strike plate, reinforcement angles) are listed with their reference, quantity and unit price. Installation labor is charged by the hour. Finally, add an optional line for common surprises: damaged door frame, non-standard cylinder length, extra locking point.
In France, for emergency work at a private client’s home, a written quote is mandatory above €150 including VAT: have it accepted before you start. It must include the date, validity period, your contact details and SIRET number, the client’s details, a breakdown of services with quantities and unit prices, totals excluding and including VAT, the VAT rate and travel costs. Under French rules, the 10% rate applies, subject to conditions, to work in a home completed more than two years ago; otherwise, it’s 20%. If you are VAT-exempt, state “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI”. If your work falls under France’s ten-year liability insurance (assurance décennale), for example door reinforcement, state your insurer and geographic coverage.
When opening a door, clients want to know the price before you touch the lock. With Ecomely, you start from a template quote (call-out, opening, cylinder, installation) that you adjust in a few lines, or you ask Zély, the AI Assistant, to draft it from your description. The client signs the quote online before the work begins. Once the job is done, you turn the quote into an invoice in one click and the client can pay by card. For planned door reinforcement, automatic reminders follow up on pending quotes and unpaid invoices, and each client keeps a history of their documents.
What Ecomely does for locksmiths
- Fill in quotes from your phone, with your saved services and prices.
- Clients sign online from a simple link.
- Turn a quote into an invoice in one click, with card payment and reminders.
- Clients, documents and emails all in one place.
Trade vocabulary
- Cylinder (cylindre)
- The part of the lock into which the key is inserted.
- Strike plate (gâche)
- Part fixed to the frame that receives the bolt.
- Locking point (point de fermeture)
- Point where the door locks into the frame: the more there are, the more resistant it is.
- A2P certification (certification A2P)
- French burglary-resistance label for locks and doors.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a quote for a simple door opening?
In France, for a private client, a written quote is mandatory as soon as the expected amount exceeds €150 including VAT, which happens quickly once you add the call-out and a possible cylinder replacement. Below that threshold, a quote is still recommended: it sets the price before the work, prevents disputes and lets you turn it straight into an invoice afterwards.
Which VAT rate applies to a cylinder replacement?
In France, the 10% rate may apply, subject to conditions, to work carried out in a home completed more than two years ago, including installed supplies. For business premises or a more recent home, the rate is 20%. If you are a micro-entrepreneur under the VAT exemption scheme, you don’t charge VAT and add the mention “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI”.
What if non-destructive opening fails and the cylinder has to be drilled?
Stop and inform the client before drilling. Present the extra cost, meaning the new cylinder and the additional time, in an additional or revised quote that they accept before you continue. The simplest approach is to include an optional “cylinder drilling and replacement” line from the start to cover this scenario.
Can the client pay as soon as the job is done?
Yes. Once the quote is signed and the work is complete, you turn it into an invoice in one click in Ecomely, and the client can pay by card. The invoice carries over every line of the accepted quote, with no re-entry. If payment doesn’t come right away, automatic reminders follow up for you.
The rules mentioned on this page (VAT, required quote details, insurance) are those that apply in France.