Locked out is the call we get most. Most house locks can be opened without drilling, so the lock stays on the door and keeps working.
Non-destructive entry
Most residential locks can be opened by picking or by bypass, leaving the lock working exactly as before. That is the outcome we aim for on every call and achieve on most.
Drilling is a last resort and means the cylinder has to be replaced, which adds cost. Locks that genuinely resist non-destructive entry — high-security cylinders, or locks that have seized — are the cases where it becomes necessary, and we will tell you before doing it rather than after.
What we need to see
Proof that you live there. Photo identification with the address, a lease, a utility bill, or mail at the property. If your identification is inside, we can usually work with something else — a neighbour who can vouch for you, or documentation you can access on your phone.
We ask every time. A locksmith who opens a door without any check is a locksmith who will open your door for someone else.
Before you call
Check every other door and any accessible ground-floor window first — it costs nothing and it resolves a fair number of these situations.
Do not break a window. Glazing plus cleanup plus the board-up until it is replaced costs several times a lockout call, and on a modern sealed unit considerably more than that.
Do not use a credit card on a deadbolt. It does not work on a deadbolt at all, it only ever worked on a plain spring latch, and you will ruin the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a house lockout cost?
The price depends on where you are and on whether the lock can be opened non-destructively — which it usually can. We give you an estimate on the phone; when the final price can only be set on site, the technician tells you the price before starting any work.
Will you need to break or drill my lock?
Usually not. Most residential locks open by picking or bypass with the lock left fully working. Drilling is a last resort for locks that genuinely resist it or have seized, and it means the cylinder needs replacing. We tell you before we drill, never after.
What proof do I need that I live there?
Photo identification showing the address is simplest. A lease, a utility bill or addressed mail at the property also works. If everything is inside, we can usually work with something else — a neighbour vouching for you, or a document you can pull up on your phone. We do check, because a locksmith who does not is a problem for you as much as anyone.
How fast can you get here?
It depends on where you are in the GTA and what is already in progress. We give you an honest arrival window when you call. We are open 7 days a week, 8 AM to 11 PM. If you are outside in the cold, or with a child, tell us when you call.
House Lockout across the GTA
We provide house lockout service throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
Home Rekeying
New home, lost key or a tenancy change — existing locks re-pinned to a new key at a fraction of replacement cost.
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Smart Locks
Smart deadbolts and locksets supplied and fitted properly — with honest advice on which ones are worth having.
Emergency Locksmith
Help for lockouts, break-ins, failed locks and vehicles — 7 days a week, 8 AM to 11 PM, across the GTA.