When you're locked out
Being locked out is stressful, and it's exactly when people are most likely to accept a bad deal. A few steps help:
1. Check every entry. Back doors, garage doors, side doors and windows you can reach safely from the ground. Don't climb. 2. Call anyone with a spare key: a family member, roommate, neighbor or property manager. 3. If a child, a vulnerable person or a pet is locked inside and in danger, call 911. 4. If you call a locksmith, ask the right questions before they come.
Avoiding lockout scams
Some businesses advertise a low service fee and then charge much more on arrival, or insist on drilling a lock that could have been opened without damage. Protect yourself:
- Ask for a total estimate on the phone, including the service call, labor and any after-hours charge, not just a low "starting at" fee.
- Ask for the business's legal name and where it's located. Some ads use generic names and route calls to dispatchers far away.
- Expect identification. A professional should arrive in an identifiable vehicle and ask you to prove you live at the address before opening the door, for example with ID and a document showing the address once you're inside.
- Get the price in writing before work starts.
- Be wary of immediate drilling. Most standard residential locks can be opened without destroying them. Drilling and replacement should be a last resort, and you should agree to it first.
- Look the business up with your state's contractor or locksmith licensing agency where one applies, and ask for an invoice with the business's name, address and phone number.
Non-destructive entry
Professional locksmiths use tools and techniques designed to open locks without damage: picking, bypass tools for certain latches, and specialized tools for doors and windows. When non-destructive entry isn't possible, for example with high-security locks or damaged hardware, the locksmith should explain why before drilling.
Broken keys and failed locks
A key that breaks off in a lock can often be extracted without replacing the lock. A lock that has failed internally, so the key turns but the bolt doesn't move, may need to be opened and repaired or replaced. If a lock fails often, the door may be out of alignment, putting pressure on the bolt.
After a lockout
Once you're back in, consider:
- Leaving a spare key with someone you trust rather than under a mat or planter.
- A keypad or smart lock that doesn't depend on carrying a key.
- Rekeying if you think your keys were lost somewhere they could be found with your address.
Questions to ask on the phone
- What will the total cost be, including the service call and any after-hours fee?
- What is your business's legal name and address?
- How long until you arrive?
- Will you try to open the lock without damage first?
- How will you confirm I live here?
Car lockouts
If you're locked out of a car, check whether your vehicle maker or roadside assistance plan offers remote unlocking or lockout service. Modern car keys with transponder chips or keyless entry need specialized equipment to replace, so ask whether the locksmith handles your make and model before they come out.
Keeping a spare
The cheapest lockout fix is a spare key with a trusted neighbor or nearby relative, or a keypad lock. Avoid hiding keys under mats, rocks or planters, which are the first places anyone looks.