Getting locked out of your own home is stressful, but you have more options than it feels in the moment. Before calling a locksmith, try these five things first—you might save yourself a service call entirely.
1. Check every door and every window
This sounds obvious but it’s the most commonly skipped step. Walk around your entire house before doing anything else. Side doors, back doors, garage doors, basement doors, and especially windows are often left unlocked. On a warm day, a sliding patio door or kitchen window may be open a few inches. It costs nothing to check and solves the problem about a quarter of the time.
2. Look for a spare you forgot about
Many people have a spare key stashed somewhere—under a fake rock, on top of the door frame, with a neighbor, in the car, at work, at a family member’s house. Take a minute to think about where you (or a partner, roommate, or family member) might have hidden one. Also check with anyone who has helped you move, dog-sit, or water plants—they might still have a copy.
3. Call your landlord or property manager
If you rent, your landlord or property management company is legally required to provide access to your own home. Most have after-hours emergency numbers. Some will come out free; others may charge a small fee for an after-hours unlock. Either way, it’s almost always cheaper and faster than calling a locksmith—and they can do it in minutes.
4. Call a neighbor or family member
If you have a trusted neighbor, roommate, or nearby family member, they may have a spare or be able to meet you with one. This is especially worth considering if the alternative is a $150+ after-hours locksmith call. It also doesn’t hurt to leave a spare with a trusted neighbor for exactly this situation going forward.
5. Only then, call a verified locksmith
If all of the above fail, it’s time to call a locksmith—but choose carefully. Don’t click the first sponsored ad you see online. Use a directory of verified local businesses, look for a real local address and real reviews, and confirm the full price on the phone before they dispatch. A legitimate residential lockout runs $75–$175 during the day and $125–$250 after hours. Anything wildly cheaper or that won’t quote you a total is a red flag.
While you wait
Once you’ve called, stay somewhere safe. If it’s cold, hot, or late, go to a neighbor’s, a nearby open business, or your car. Don’t try to force the door or a window—you’ll likely cause damage that costs more to fix than the lockout. And don’t pay anyone in cash before the work is done.