Locked out of the house

What has probably happened

• The key is inside, or lost somewhere between here and this morning.
• The door blew shut behind you on a self-locking latch.
• The key snapped, bent, or no longer turns the worn lock.
• A smart lock has lost power or lost its connection.
• Somebody changed the locks and did not tell you.

What the technician does

• The lock is opened without damage wherever it can be — that is the normal outcome, not the lucky one.
• Identification checked first, because that is what stops a door being opened for the wrong person.
• A new cylinder fitted only if the lock genuinely cannot be opened or is already broken.
• A spare key cut while they are there, if you want one.
• Rekeying offered if the missing key might be in someone else's hands.

Questions people ask

Will they damage the door?

A standard residential lock is normally opened without any damage at all. High-security cylinders are harder and occasionally have to be replaced, but the locksmith should tell you that before they start, not after.

Do I have to prove I live here?

Yes, and you should want to. Any locksmith worth calling asks for identification or some proof of address. One who does not would open your door for a stranger just as readily.

How much will it cost?

It depends on the lock and the door, so nobody can tell you honestly over the phone. You get a price at your door before any work starts, and nothing happens until you agree it.

It is the middle of the night.

Tell us when you call. Lockouts are treated as the priority they are, and being outside at night is part of that.