If you are planning to buy new school lockers, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is: how much do school lockers cost? It sounds like a simple question, but locker prices can vary quite considerably. The size of the locker, number of doors, locking system, material, accessories and quantity you order can all affect the final price.
You also need to think beyond the initial locker cost. Delivery and locker installation cost should also be factored in, particularly if you are looking to purchase a large quantity of lockers for a new school building or refurbishment.
At 3D Lockers, we supply lockers to primary schools, high schools, colleges and academies across the UK. In this guide, we will explain what affects school locker prices and what school bursars and buyers should consider when setting a budget.
How Much Do School Lockers Cost?
There isn’t one standard price for a school locker. There are lots of different factors and variations to consider. A basic metal locker with a standard key or padlock fitting will usually be one of the most affordable options. As you add larger compartments, door upgrades, electronic locks, stands, sloping tops and other accessories, the price increases. Quantity also makes a difference. When comparing locker prices, make sure you are comparing like for like. A cheap-looking locker quote may not include delivery, installation, accessories or the lock option you actually need. It is much better to look at the total project cost rather than simply choosing the locker with the lowest unit price.
What Affects School Locker Prices?
Several factors determine how much your new school lockers will cost.
1. Locker Material
The material is one of the biggest considerations. The most popular option for schools is a metal locker as they are the most cost effective material as well as offering durability and quality. They are a good option to use in classrooms, corridors and changing rooms in education environments. Powder-coated steel lockers are designed to cope with the everyday knocks and bumps you'd expect in a busy school environment. If you are researching metal locker prices, remember that different steel lockers aren't necessarily directly comparable. Construction, dimensions, door design, warranty, finish and manufacturer can all influence the price.
Other options include laminate door lockers, timber-effect lockers and outdoor steel lockers. Laminate doors are a more premium option and are particularly useful in busy school areas where additional resistance to knocks, dents and scratches is required. Outdoor lockers made from Zintec steel are more appropriate where weather is an issue because they won't rust or corrode. The environment should therefore come before price when choosing the material.
2. Locker Size
Locker size certainly affects the cost. A compact locker designed for a primary school pupil is very different from a full-height locker designed to hold a coat, backpack and PE kit. Common school locker widths include:
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300mm – a popular space-saving option
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380mm – gives pupils more room for bags and belongings
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450mm – useful when larger or more bulky items need to be stored
Depth is also important. School lockers can range from relatively shallow units through to 450mm or 500mm deep lockers for bulkier bags, coats and sports equipment. Before asking for prices, decide what pupils actually need to store. Buying a locker that is too small can cause problems, but paying for oversized compartments that pupils don't need isn't a good use of the school's budget either.
3. Number of Locker Doors
The number of compartments within each locker can make a big difference to the overall project cost. For example, you might choose: Single-door lockers for larger individual storage and full length hanging for clothing or coats. Two-door lockers where pupils need a reasonable amount of space for books, coats and bags, but you want to accommodate more users. Three-door lockers to make efficient use of floor space while still offering a decent storage space. Four-door lockers where smaller individual compartments are enough space.
Student lockers with multiple doors in the height can be particularly cost-effective because several pupils can use the same locker frame. This can help you provide storage for more pupils without filling a corridor or cloakroom with individual locker units.
4. The Lock You Choose
Your choice of lock can have a surprisingly large impact on the final locker cost. When multiplied across lots of locker doors, the price can really add up! The no extra cost options are key-operated cam locks and hasp locks designed for use with a padlock. Depending on the locker range, you can also consider combination locks, coin-operated locks and electronic or digital locking systems. These will be an extra cost which you need to consider when adding to your quote.
You will need to think about who will manage the lockers once they're installed. A more expensive lock may offer convenience, but there's little point paying for functionality your school doesn't need. Equally, selecting the cheapest lock can become a problem if staff are continually dealing with lost keys. For large quantities of education lockers, it is worth discussing the locking system early in the buying process.
5. Locker Accessories
Accessories can make school lockers considerably more practical, but they also need to be included in your budget.
Popular options include:
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Sloping tops
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Locker stands
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Number plates
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Name or label holders
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End panels
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Locker benches
Sloping tops, for example, help stop pupils leaving bags, books and other items on top of lockers. Stands can raise lockers off the floor, making cleaning underneath easier. Number plates and name holders can make it much easier to manage hundreds of student lockers. You don't need every accessory available, these are all optional. Choose the ones that solve a genuine problem within your school.
Does Locker Colour Affect the Price?
Not always. Many school locker ranges provide a wide choice of standard door colours without an additional charge. Quite often, we can mix and match multiple door colours to create a pattern or match school colours. Like our locker installation at Skegness Junior Academy which you can read more about here. This can be useful if you want to identify different year groups, create colour zones or simply brighten up a corridor. Some specialist, pastel or bespoke colours can carry an additional charge depending on the manufacturer and range. If you're working to a tight budget, ask which colours are included as standard before placing the order and we can provide you with a colour sheet to choose from.
How Much Does School Locker Installation Cost?
The locker installation cost will depend on the size and complexity of your project. Installing ten lockers in an easily accessible ground-floor room is very different from installing several hundred lockers across multiple floors of a school.
Installation costs can be affected by:
Quantity – Larger projects will require more installation time.
Site access – Long carrying distances, stairs and restricted delivery access can increase the amount of labour required.
Locker location – Lockers may need to be distributed across several corridors, classrooms or changing areas.
Wall construction – Lockers need suitable fixing points to ensure they are stable and safe.
Accessories – Stands, benches, sloping tops and end panels can all add to installation time.
Professional school locker installation can include coordinating the delivery, offloading, distributing lockers around the school, positioning and fixing them, fitting accessories and carrying out final checks. For larger projects, it is worth getting an installation quotation at the same time as your locker quotation so you know the complete cost from the start.
Do I Need a Site Survey?
For a straightforward order, you may be able to provide dimensions and photographs yourself. For a larger installation, however, a site survey can be extremely useful. A survey allows the space to be measured properly, we can also provide a layout drawing to show where the lockers can be positioned and how many can fit in an area. A site survey allows for any potential problems to be identified before the lockers arrive. Things such as radiators, pipes, skirting boards, doorways, wall construction and corridor widths can all affect the final layout and can sometimes be overlooked! A site survey can also help determine whether you need stands, sloping tops, end panels or a different locker configuration.
At 3D Lockers, we can offer a free site survey for larger school locker projects.
Don't Choose School Lockers on Price Alone
School bursars understandably need to work within a budget, but the lowest initial locker cost isn't always the cheapest option in the long term. School lockers can take a lot of punishment and wear and tear. Doors get slammed, bags are pushed inside and lockers are used several times every school day. A good-quality locker that lasts for many years can offer much better value than a cheaper product that needs repairing or replacing much sooner. Look at build quality, warranty, replacement parts and after-sales support alongside the initial price.
Get a School Locker Quote from 3D Lockers
At 3D Lockers, we have strong relationships with leading UK locker manufacturers including Pure Lockers, Elite, Probe, Whittan and QMP. We are able to give schools a wide choice of products, colours and specifications and the most competitive prices. Whether you need a small number of classroom lockers or hundreds of education lockers, we can help you compare the options and find the best solution for your budget.
Contact 3D Lockers today to get a free quote or expert advice!
