Getting locked out of your house is one of those frustrating experiences that seems to happen at the worst possible time. Whether you left your keys inside, lost them, or had a lock malfunction, staying calm and knowing your options prevents costly mistakes and gets you back inside safely. Here is a step-by-step guide for handling a home lockout the right way.
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Step 1: Stay Calm and Check All Entry Points
Before calling a locksmith or considering drastic measures, methodically check every possible entry point to your home. In the panic of a lockout, people often overlook simple access options that are right in front of them.
Check these access points in order:
- Other exterior doors: Check the back door, side door, and garage entry door. One may be unlocked.
- Garage: If you have a keypad on your garage door opener, enter the code to access the garage and then the interior door to the house. Many people forget they have this backup access.
- Windows: Check all ground-floor windows. Sliding windows and older double-hung windows are sometimes left unlocked. Opening a window is far cheaper than calling a locksmith.
- Spare keys: Check with family members, trusted neighbors, or your landlord. Check your car, wallet, or office for a spare you may have forgotten about.
- Smart lock options: If you have a smart lock, try the app on your phone or the keypad code. Some smart locks have temporary codes you can request from a family member remotely.
Take 10 to 15 minutes to thoroughly check all possibilities before escalating to paid solutions. A calm, systematic approach often reveals an easy way in that panic would have caused you to miss.
Step 2: What NOT to Do During a Lockout
Desperation leads to bad decisions during lockouts. Avoid these common mistakes that can cause injury, property damage, or legal problems that cost far more than a locksmith service call.
Never attempt to kick in your door. A solid exterior door with a deadbolt can withstand tremendous force, and you are more likely to injure yourself than to breach the door. Even if you succeed, the door frame damage costs $200 to $500 to repair, far more than a locksmith call. Breaking a window to enter your home creates safety hazards from broken glass, weather exposure until the glass is replaced, and a repair bill of $150 to $400 for a typical window.
- Don’t use credit cards: The movie trick of sliding a card between the door and frame only works on spring latch locks, not deadbolts, and it ruins the card.
- Don’t try picking the lock yourself: Without proper training and tools, you’ll likely damage the lock, making the locksmith’s job harder and more expensive.
- Don’t climb to second-floor windows: Falls from height cause serious injuries and death. No lockout is worth that risk.
- Don’t leave and return later hoping the problem resolves: If a lock has malfunctioned, it won’t fix itself, and your home is unsecured in the meantime.
- Don’t hire the first locksmith you find without verifying credentials: Scam locksmiths prey on desperate customers.
Step 3: Calling a Locksmith the Right Way
When you’ve exhausted self-help options, calling a professional locksmith is the safest and most cost-effective solution. How you choose and interact with the locksmith directly affects the cost and quality of service you receive.
Before calling, find a reputable locksmith by searching for locally owned companies with physical storefronts rather than call center operations. Check Google reviews, BBB rating, and ask neighbors for recommendations if possible. Avoid companies with generic names like “24/7 Locksmith” or “Local Locksmith Service” paired with an 800 number, as these are often call centers that dispatch untrained technicians.
When you call, get specific answers to these questions: What is the total cost including the service call fee and the labor to open the door? Is there an after-hours surcharge and how much? What is the estimated arrival time? What forms of payment do you accept? Can you provide a receipt? A reputable locksmith will answer all of these clearly and provide a firm price range before dispatching.
Expect to pay $75 to $150 during business hours and $100 to $250 after hours for a standard residential lockout. The locksmith should have your door open within 5 to 15 minutes using non-destructive techniques. If they immediately want to drill your lock, ask them to try picking first. Competent locksmiths can open most residential locks without destruction.
Step 4: Verify the Locksmith on Arrival
When the locksmith arrives, take a moment to verify their legitimacy before giving them access to your home. A professional locksmith will arrive in a clearly marked vehicle with the company name and phone number, carry a company ID badge, have a business card matching the company you called, and provide a written estimate before beginning work.
Red flags that indicate a scam operator include arriving in an unmarked personal vehicle, inability to provide identification or a business card, quoting a price significantly higher than what was discussed on the phone, claiming the lock cannot be picked and must be drilled without attempting non-destructive entry, and pressuring you to make immediate decisions about upgrading locks at inflated prices.
If anything feels wrong, you are within your rights to decline service and call another locksmith. Trust your instincts. A legitimate locksmith will not pressure you or dramatically change the agreed-upon pricing once on site.
Preventing Future Lockouts
Once you are back inside, take steps to ensure you never face this situation again. Prevention is far cheaper and less stressful than dealing with another lockout.
Effective lockout prevention strategies include:
- Hide a spare key: Use a combination lockbox (like realtors use) mounted in an inconspicuous location. Never hide keys under doormats, flowerpots, or fake rocks, as burglars check these spots first.
- Give a spare to a trusted neighbor: A reliable neighbor with your spare key is the fastest and cheapest lockout solution available.
- Install a smart lock: Keypad or smartphone-operated locks eliminate the possibility of a key-based lockout entirely. Quality smart locks cost $150 to $350.
- Develop a key routine: Designate a specific pocket, hook, or bowl for your keys and use it consistently. Habits prevent the absent-minded lockouts that account for most incidents.
- Keep a spare car key separately: Store it in your wallet, desk at work, or with a family member. Automotive lockouts are the most expensive to resolve.
A lockout is stressful but manageable when you approach it methodically. If you need emergency lockout service now, contact a licensed, insured locksmith who provides upfront pricing and arrives in a marked vehicle. And once you are back inside, invest in one or more prevention strategies so this is the last lockout you experience.