Quick answer: get somewhere safe and lit, check the obvious (other doors, a housemate, a spare), then call a locksmith who is genuinely open 24 hours, ask for the total after-hours price, and have your ID ready. Don’t force the door or break a window; that costs more than the locksmith and leaves the house open until morning.
Lockouts don’t happen at 2pm on a Tuesday. They happen after a late shift, after a night out, or with a baby asleep in the car. This is what we tell people who ring us in the middle of the night, so you can use it before you ring.
The first five minutes
Get safe first. Stand somewhere lit, or sit in a neighbour’s or a friend’s car. If it’s raining, a porch beats the driveway. Check your phone battery, because you’ll need it for the call and for ID.
Check the easy outs. Back door, side gate, laundry door, garage. A housemate or partner who’s still up. A spare with family nearby. A property manager’s after-hours line if you rent.
Don’t force it. Kicking a door splits the frame, breaking a window means a glazier and a house open till morning, and a coat hanger down a car door damages the trim and the lock. All of those cost more than we do.
Calling a locksmith at 2am
Ring 0427 580 823. If you don’t get us first time, leave a message and try again in a minute, we’ll be on the phone or on a job. Tell us where you are, what kind of door or car it is, and whether you have ID on you or in the house. Ask for the total after-hours price before we head out, and we’ll tell you where we’re coming from so you know roughly how long.
Whoever you call, ask the same things: the total price including the after-hours charge, the business name, and whether they’re licensed. A real 24-hour locksmith answers all three without hesitating. See 24/7 emergency locksmith.
What happens when we arrive
Houses. We’ll check your ID and something that ties you to the address, then open the lock without damage wherever that’s possible, which is most of the time. In the unlikely event a barrel has to be drilled, we tell you first, then replace the barrel and key it to your existing key at no charge. See house lockouts.
Cars. We open any make, European included, with tools made for the job, and we don’t damage your car. If the keys are inside, you’re on your way in minutes. If they’re lost, we can make a new one at the car for Japanese, Korean and most American makes. See car lockouts.
Afterwards
If your keys are lost rather than just inside, rekey the locks so the lost set stops working. It’s quicker and cheaper than new locks, and we can do it on the same visit or the next morning. Read should I rekey or change the locks? And get a spare cut while you’re at it.
Common questions
Is a locksmith more expensive at night?
Yes. Night, weekend and public holiday call-outs cost more than daytime. Ask for the total before they leave so there’s no argument at the door.
Can you open the door without damaging it?
Nearly always. Drilling is rare, and if it’s needed we say so first and replace the barrel keyed to your existing key at no charge.
What if I don’t have ID on me?
Tell us. Often it’s inside the house, and we can check it once the door’s open. Something with your name and the address on your phone, like a lease or a bill, also works.
I’m renting. Should I call the landlord first?
If your agent has an after-hours line, try it, they may have a key. If not, call us; you’ll need ID and proof you live there, and let the agent know afterwards if any locks were rekeyed.
Locked out right now?
Call 0427 580 823Send an enquiry
Along the coast, see Hillarys.