The best time to think about hiring a locksmith is not the moment you actually need one. Below are the most common situations where people hire a locksmith, and some practical steps for each one. Spend a few minutes on these now so that when you do need help, you’re ready.
You’re locked out right now
Take a breath. You have more time than it feels. Before you call anyone, try these first:
- Check every door and every window. Often a side door or a back slider is actually unlocked.
- Look for a hidden key you or a family member may have stashed.
- Call a neighbor, roommate, or family member who might have a spare.
- If you rent, call the property manager’s after-hours line — many will come out free.
- If your car is locked and you have roadside assistance (AAA or through your auto insurance), that service is usually included.
Only once you’ve ruled those out, look up a locksmith. Never use the first result on a search engine — those slots are often bought by dispatch companies, not local pros. Go straight to our directory, search by your zip code, and call a business with a real, local phone number and strong recent reviews.
You just moved into a new place
Moving day is actually one of the best times to hire a locksmith, because there is no emergency pressure. A few things worth doing:
- Rekey your locks. You have no idea who still has a copy of the old keys. Rekeying is usually cheaper than replacing locks entirely and takes about 15 minutes per lock.
- Ask about lock quality. If the existing locks are cheap or worn, a locksmith can recommend a good residential-grade replacement in your budget.
- Add a deadbolt if there isn’t one. Many older homes only have a knob lock, which is easy to defeat. A solid deadbolt is one of the cheapest security upgrades you can make.
- Think about smart locks. A good locksmith can advise on which smart lock models are actually secure (many popular ones aren’t).
You lost your keys or had them stolen
If your keys are truly lost and might be pocketed somewhere, rekeying is the sensible move. If they were stolen — especially if anything with your address attached was also stolen, like a wallet or bag — rekey or replace the locks today, not tomorrow. A locksmith can typically come out same-day for this kind of service.
For a car key, factory replacement is often cheaper and faster through your dealer than you expect, especially for older vehicles. A good automotive locksmith can also program transponder and smart keys, often at a lower price.
You’re a landlord or property manager
Building a relationship with a reliable locksmith before you need one is worth real money. A few tips:
- Ask about a master key system if you manage multiple units. Done well, it saves hours over the life of the building.
- Set a standing policy to rekey between tenants. It’s a small cost to you and a big trust signal to incoming tenants.
- Keep a record of every key cut and who has it. Locksmiths can help set up a simple system.
- Ask about volume pricing. A locksmith who knows they’ll get callbacks from your properties will offer rates a one-time customer doesn’t get.
Your home or car was broken into
If there has been an actual break-in, call the police first to file a report. Once they’ve cleared the scene, a locksmith can replace or rekey everything affected. For insurance claims, ask for an itemized receipt — most homeowner policies cover lock replacement after a burglary, but they will need documentation. A locksmith who has been through this before will know exactly what to provide.
Start with the right locksmith
Whatever your situation, the first step is finding someone you can actually trust. Our directory lists over 5,000 locksmiths across all 50 states — search by your city or zip.