Locked Out of Your House? What to Do

Locked out of your house? Here is what to do

Short answer: first check every door and ground-floor window, and call anyone who might hold a spare: a partner, family member, roommate, landlord or property manager. If that fails, call a licensed locksmith rather than trying to force a door or window: a professional opens most residential locks without damage, and forced entry usually costs more to repair than the service call. In North Carolina, locksmiths must be licensed by the state board, and the licence number must appear in their advertising, so ask for it before anyone starts work.

Step 1: rule out the easy options

• Try every exterior door, including garage side doors and sliding doors.
• Check whether a window on the ground floor is unlocked, but do not climb through one on an upper floor.
• Call whoever might have a key. If you rent, your landlord or property manager often has one.
• If you have a smart lock, try the keypad code, the app, or the backup key.

Step 2: do not break in

Kicking a door typically splits the jamb and strike, and breaking a window means glass repair, board-up and a security gap overnight. Credit-card tricks work only on cheap latches and often damage the card and the door. A locksmith's picking, bypass and decoding tools are designed to open the lock and leave it working.

Step 3: call a licensed locksmith and ask the right questions

Before you book, ask for the company's North Carolina locksmith licence number and whether they are insured, and ask for the quote up front. Be ready to show proof that you live at the address (ID with the address, or a bill plus ID) when the technician arrives; a legitimate locksmith will ask. Be cautious of anyone who quotes a very low number on the phone and then raises it on site, or who insists the lock has to be drilled before they have even looked at it. Drilling is rarely the first option on a residential door.

Step 4: after you are back inside

If your key is simply inside the house, you are done. If the key was lost or might have been taken, have the locks rekeyed or replaced the same visit so the missing key is useless. Consider a spare key with a trusted neighbour or a lock box, or a keypad lock so a lost key cannot lock you out again.

Locked out at night or on a weekend?

DKNY Locksmith is a licensed (NC licence #2173), fully insured mobile locksmith serving Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex and nearby, open 7 AM to 11 PM every day including weekends. We quote before any work begins. See our home lockout service or call (919) 752-7557.

Related questions

Can a locksmith open my door without damaging it? In most residential cases, yes, using picking or bypass tools.

What proof do I need? Photo ID showing the address, or ID plus a document tying you to the address, such as a lease or utility bill.

Will my renter's insurance cover a lockout? Some policies include lockout assistance; check yours before you call.