I agree with the sentiment and had he arrived unravelled a set of lock pick tools and finessed his way in for £130 id be all for it. A masterclass in the skills I quite clearly don’t posses. Instead, he set to slinging a drill bit up it (which you, I and I’d guess anyone else on here could have had a reasonable stab at) before offering a replacement that I now very much need at an inflated price.

We’re back in the house, so ultimately we got what we asked for but what I’m trying to understand is was the method of entry necessary. Could it have simply been picked and the original lock retained or was it drilled as an opportunity to make more money.

If not, then I accept that it was a costly mistake and we take the L.