Emergency · TS 06
Locked out, key snapped, lock forced
Something went wrong at a door and it cannot wait for Monday. Call, say where you are and what happened, and ask whether a contractor is free right now. You hear the price before work.
- Price quoted before work starts
- Ask for ID and a written estimate
- Cards accepted
01 Catalogue
What counts as an emergency
Lockouts
Home, car, office, storage room. Pets, a running stove or a child inside: say so first.
Broken keys
Half the key stuck in the cylinder. Do not try to pull it with a pin; you will push it deeper.
Forced or tampered locks
Scratches around the keyway, a loose cylinder or a bent strike. Rekey or replace before night.
Lost or stolen keys
If the keys had an address on them, change or rekey the lock rather than waiting.
02 While you wait
Ten useful things to do while you wait
- Move somewhere lit and safe, especially at night.
- Check every other door and window you are allowed to use.
- Find ID or anything with your address on it.
- Text a photo of the lock to the number if you can.
- Keep the dispatcher's estimate in mind.
- Ask the locksmith for ID on arrival.
- Ask for a written estimate before drilling.
- Do not sign a blank work order.
- Pay the contractor and keep the receipt.
- Rekey later if the keys are still missing.
03 Questions
Emergency questions
How soon can someone come?
That depends on which contractors are working and where they are. The dispatcher will tell you what they know; nobody can promise a time.
Is it more expensive at night?
It can be. Ask for the total on the phone and again on site before work starts.
Can I just break a window?
Glass usually costs more than a lockout and is a cutting hazard. Call first.
What if the price changes on site?
You can say no. A hidden problem can change the job, and the locksmith should explain why before going ahead.
04 Next step
Ready when the door is not
Call and describe the lock
Say what kind of door, car or safe it is and where it sits. The price is quoted before any work begins, and you can say no.