Locked out is the call we get most, and in the majority of cases the door is open in a few minutes with no damage and no replacement hardware needed.
Typical range: $90–$250 CAD. Ranges are typical for the GTA and depend on the door, the hardware and the time of day. We confirm the price before dispatching.
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?
It is one of our least expensive calls. The variables are the time of day, where you are, and whether the lock can be opened non-destructively — which it usually can. We quote on the phone before dispatching, and we are wary of the practice some operators have of advertising a very low figure and quoting properly only on arrival.
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?
Lockouts are dispatched as emergencies, 7 days a week from 8 AM to 11 PM. Actual timing depends on where you are in the GTA and what is in progress, and we will give you a realistic estimate when you call rather than an optimistic one. If you are outside in the cold with a child, say so and we will prioritise accordingly.
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.
Broken Key Extraction
Snapped keys removed from ignitions, door locks and padlocks without damaging the cylinder.
Smart Locks
Smart deadbolts and locksets supplied and fitted properly — with honest advice on which ones are worth having.
Emergency Locksmith
Same-day help for lockouts, break-ins, failed locks and vehicles — 7 days a week, 8 AM to 11 PM, across the GTA.