Key Cutting Near Me: UK Ireland Prices, Stores & Locations

Lost a key on a Friday evening and dreading the Monday call to a locksmith? You’re not alone. Thousands of Irish and UK households face the same small-but-urgent task each week: getting a spare key cut before the original goes missing entirely. The good news is that major retailers have made this surprisingly easy — and in some cases, absurdly cheap.

Average UK key cut price: £4–£20 · Woodies key cutting: Available at all 35 Irish stores · B&Q standard door key: £7.00 (3 for £14)

Three retailers dominate the key cutting landscape across Ireland and the UK: B&Q, Woodies, and independent locksmiths. What follows is a practical guide to where to go, what you’ll pay, and which keys you simply cannot copy.

How much should it cost to get a key cut?

B&Q’s pricing is the clearest on the high street. A single key costs £7.00, while their 3-for-2 promotion brings three keys down to £14.00 (B&Q Official Services). The process takes under 3 minutes from start to finish, with payment accepted via contactless card or cash at the machine (B&Q Official Services).

For independent locksmiths, expect a wider range. Standard cylinder keys typically fall between £4 and £10, while more complex mortice or restricted keys can reach £15–£20 depending on the lock type. The UK average across retailers sits in the £4–£20 bracket, though this varies significantly by region and key complexity.

1. Locate a B&Q store with My Key Cutting Machine or a nearby Woodies key bar
2. Bring your original physical key — the machine scans it directly
3. Confirm the key type on screen and authorise the cut
4. Collect your duplicate within 3 minutes and pay via contactless or cash

UK key cutting prices by type

• Cylinder / standard door key: £4–£10 (B&Q: £7.00 single)
• Mortice key (deadlock type): £8–£15
• Restricted or high-security key: £12–£20
• B&Q bundle deal: 3 keys for £14.00 (B&Q Official Services)

Factors affecting cost

Three things push prices up: key type (restricted keys cost more due to legal requirements), number of keys (bulk deals like B&Q’s 3-for-2 help here), and location (urban locksmiths may charge more than suburban or rural shops).

Can you get keys cut at Woodies?

Yes — and across all 35 stores in the Republic of Ireland, not just a handful of flagship locations. Woodies operates a dedicated key bar at every store, making it one of the most geographically consistent key cutting services available in Ireland (Woodies In-Store Services). Their service is described as quick and convenient, with pre-cut, mortice, and cylinder keys all supported (Woodies Help).

“At Woodie’s we believe it’s better to be safe than sorry, that’s why we offer a key cutting service across all our stores nationwide.”

— Woodies Key Bar page

That said, Woodies does not publish pricing on its website, so you won’t know what you’ll pay until you arrive at the counter. If price certainty matters to you, calling ahead is worthwhile.

Woodies key bar service details

• Available at all 35 Woodies stores across the Republic of Ireland (Woodies In-Store Services page)
• Key types: pre-cut, mortice, and cylinder keys (Woodies Help Centre)
• No appointment needed — walk in during normal store hours
• Payment methods: varies by store; check with your local Woodies

Nationwide store availability

Woodies’ 35-store footprint covers cities and towns across Ireland, from Dublin and Cork down to Limerick, Waterford, and Kilkenny. For anyone outside the main cities, this breadth matters — you’re less likely to find a B&Q nearby, but a Woodies is more probable.

The pattern: if you’re in a rural area or smaller town, Woodies is almost certainly your nearest option for walk-in key cutting.

Does B&Q cut keys?

Yes. B&Q operates My Key Cutting Machines in partnership with Timpson across all their UK stores and selected Irish locations. At the Dublin Liffey Valley store and the Galway store, the machine is confirmed to be in operation (B&Q Dublin Store page, B&Q Galway Store page).

“Don’t worry, we have you covered. We have teamed up with Timpson to give our in-store customers a great, precision key cutting service in under 3 minutes.”

— B&Q Official Services page

The catch is pricing clarity for Ireland specifically. B&Q’s UK website lists £7.00 per key and £14.00 for three, but their Irish site has not confirmed equivalent euro pricing — this gap may reflect a pricing transition still in progress (B&Q Ireland Services page).

B&Q in-store key cutting

• Process: place original key on machine scanning bed, confirm on screen, cut begins automatically
• Time: under 3 minutes per key (B&Q Official Services page)
• Payment: contactless card or cash at the machine
• Requirement: you must have the original physical key — no cutting from photos or descriptions (B&Q key cutting service)
• Support line: 0333 577 3033, available 8am–5pm Mon–Fri (B&Q Official Services page)

Pricing at B&Q

On the UK side, B&Q is transparent: £7.00 per key, or £14.00 for three together. This is a genuine 3-for-2 promotion and represents solid value. For Ireland, customers should check with store staff directly if euro pricing is not displayed at the machine.

What keys cannot be copied?

Not every key can be copied at a self-service machine. Keys marked “Do Not Duplicate” require the written consent of the key owner — or in some cases, a business authorisation — before a locksmith or retail machine will cut a copy. This is a legal requirement, not a technical limitation.

Beyond legal restrictions, some high-security keys use patented blank designs that require authorised distributors. These are not available through standard B&Q or Woodies machines — you’d need a specialist locksmith with access to the specific blank.

Do Not Duplicate keys

The “Do Not Duplicate” marking is a request, not a law. However, reputable key cutting services will ask for proof of authorisation before copying a restricted key. If you own the lock system, you can typically provide written consent. If you’re renting, your landlord’s permission is needed.

Restricted key types

• Do Not Duplicate (DND) keys: require owner authorisation
• Patented or trademarked blanks: require authorised access
• Security / high-security keys: may need a locksmith with specific equipment
• Original key required: B&Q will not cut from memory or a photo — the physical key must be present (B&Q key cutting policy)

The pattern is straightforward: if the key is restricted by design or by marking, expect more friction. Standard house keys, cylinder keys, and mortice keys are all fine at the major retailers.

Where can I get a key cut near me?

If you’re in Ireland, your best bet for speed and coverage is Woodies — all 35 stores offer key cutting on a walk-in basis, with no appointment needed. B&Q is limited to specific stores (Dublin Liffey Valley and Galway confirmed at time of writing), but offers a faster process and transparent pricing if you’re near one of those locations.

For specific locations, here are the confirmed B&Q Ireland addresses:

• B&Q Dublin Liffey Valley: Liffey Valley Retail Park East, Coldcut Road, Clondalkin, Dublin D22 E892 — Sunday hours 10am–6pm (B&Q Dublin Store listing)
• B&Q Galway: Gateway Shopping Park, Western Distributor Road, Rahoon, Galway H91 KT51 — Sunday hours 10am–6pm (B&Q Galway Store listing)

Local options in Ireland

Beyond the major chains, independent locksmiths operate across Irish towns. In Limerick, Ryans Locksmiths is a known local option. Jack Nolan in Portlaoise offers key cutting services to the midlands. For those in smaller towns, Goldenpages or a local directory search will surface the nearest shop.

Locksmiths and directories

Independent locksmiths offer advantages when dealing with restricted or unusual key types — they may have access to blanks that the retail machines don’t stock. They’re also more likely to offer emergency or out-of-hours service, though at a higher price point than the high street chains.

The implication: if you need a restricted key copied or want after-hours service, a local locksmith is worth the premium.

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Major Irish DIY retailers like Woodies offer on-site key cutting, with locations and Ireland key cutter prices detailed alongside B&Q services for Sundays.

Frequently asked questions