Locked Out of Your House — 8 Things to Try Before Calling a Locksmith
Before you spend £90 on a locksmith call-out, try these — in the order most likely to work. Then, if you do need to call, exactly what happens next.
Most lockouts are sorted without a locksmith. Not glamorously, but functionally. Here are eight things to check before spending £90+, in the order most likely to work.
The short version
- Is the door on the latch, or properly deadlocked? Many lockouts aren't actually locked.
- Try: back door, windows, neighbour with a spare, someone in the house
- If you do need a locksmith: call, get a price on the phone, confirm it before they start
- Emergency lockout in Barnet: 020 3780 8827 — price given before anyone drives out
1. Try the back door
Sounds obvious. But statistically, the back door is unlocked more often than the front one. Side gates, conservatory doors, and patio doors also fall into this category. A full circuit of the property takes two minutes. Do it before anything else.
2. Check for unlocked windows
Ground-floor and accessible first-floor windows. A sash window that's not properly latched can often be opened with a flat tool or by hand. A casement window left on the first latch position can sometimes be flipped open. If you can reach it safely and it's unlocked, use it. Don't climb anywhere risky.
3. Look for a spare key
- Neighbour (if you gave one out)
- Family member who can drive over
- Landlord or letting agent (if you rent)
- Estate agent (if you recently exchanged)
- Key safe you forgot you installed
Make the calls first. One phone call is faster than a locksmith visit.
4. Is it actually locked?
Pull the door handle down while pushing against the door. Some night-latches disengage under pressure if the bolt hasn't fully engaged. Doors that appear stuck are sometimes swollen in the frame rather than locked — a firm shoulder against the door while turning the handle sometimes opens them.
If you only have a night-latch (Yale-type) and not a deadlock, the door may respond to the credit-card technique: slide a rigid flexible card between the door edge and frame at the latch, angling towards the bolt. This works on old-style spring latches. It does not work on deadlocks.
5. Check for an unlocked cat flap or letter box
A coat hanger or length of wire through a letterbox can sometimes reach a thumb-turn on the other side of the door. This requires a thumb-turn rather than a keyed deadlock, and some manual dexterity. It's worth five minutes if the geometry looks right.
Cat flaps that connect internally to a handle are occasionally accessible — though this is more common in older properties.
6. Call someone with a key
If your partner, housemate, family member, or the person who stayed last weekend has a key — and is answerable to their phone — this is still faster than a locksmith. Even if they're 40 minutes away.
7. Wait it out (if practical)
If you know someone with a key will be back within 30–60 minutes, and you have somewhere to wait (a café, a car, a neighbour's step), it may be faster to wait than to wait for a locksmith. Weigh up the time, the weather, and whether you have anything urgent to get into the property for.
8. Call a locksmith
If steps 1–7 are genuinely exhausted: call. In Barnet and North London, that's 020 3780 8827. Describe the lock if you can — euro cylinder, Yale, mortice, or "I genuinely have no idea" — and mention any visible damage already. Ask for the worst-case price, not just the best case, so drilling (if it comes to that) isn't a surprise.
A locksmith who won't quote on the phone before driving out is one to be cautious about. This is the most common complaint John hears from people who've used other locksmiths — one price on the phone, a different one on the doorstep. That doesn't happen here. The price on the phone is the price on the invoice.
What happens when a locksmith arrives
- They'll look at the lock before touching anything
- Non-destructive entry is attempted first — picking, manipulation, or raking depending on the lock
- If that works, you're back inside with the lock intact and still usable
- If it doesn't work (usually only on high-security locks), drilling is the next step — you'll be told this before anything is damaged
- If the lock is drilled, it needs replacing — the locksmith should have a replacement on the van or be able to fit one same-day
Most standard residential lockouts are resolved non-destructively in 10–20 minutes.
A note on attempting forced entry yourself
Forcing a door with a crowbar, or breaking a window, usually costs more to repair than a locksmith. A door frame split at the mortice needs a carpenter. A broken window needs glazing. A locksmith's non-destructive entry leaves everything intact.
The exception: if a key or accessible window is available and the alternative is waiting outside in the cold with young children or someone vulnerable, break the window. The glazing cost is worth it.
After you're back in
If the reason you're locked out is that you lost your keys, change the locks — or at minimum the cylinder. Someone else now potentially has keys to your front door. A cylinder swap on a standard euro-profile door takes 20 minutes and costs £61 for labour. It's not the most urgent thing in the world if you think you left them on the kitchen counter, but if they might be genuinely lost in a public place, it's worth doing the same day.
Sign-off
If you're past step 7 and in Barnet or North London, call 020 3780 8827. John will give you a price before he leaves and tell you honestly if non-destructive entry is likely. If you're in the middle of step 4 and the credit-card technique just broke your loyalty card, he's heard that before and will resist making a joke. He probably won't resist.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if I'm locked out?
Stay calm and check the obvious: back door, window, anyone at home with a key, neighbour with a spare. Then check whether the door is actually locked or just on the latch. A surprising number of 'locked out' calls are doors that are pulled shut but not deadlocked — and can be opened without a locksmith.
Is it legal to break into my own house?
Yes — you cannot be charged with breaking and entering your own home. The practical concern isn't legality; it's damage. Forcing a door or window usually costs more to repair than a locksmith call-out.
How long will a locksmith take to arrive in Barnet?
We don't quote a fixed time because North London traffic varies. Call 020 3780 8827 and John will tell you where he is and give you a realistic time before setting off.
Will the locksmith have to drill my lock?
Only if it's the only option. Non-destructive entry — picking or manipulating the lock — is always attempted first. Most standard residential locks can be opened non-destructively. High-security BS locks and certain euro cylinders are harder; you'll be told upfront if drilling looks necessary.
How much does an emergency lockout cost in Barnet?
£90–£299 depending on the lock type and entry method. Non-destructive entry starts at £90. Drilling or high-security locks at unusual hours run higher. You get the price on the phone, not at the door.
What if I can't afford a locksmith?
The price is £90–£299 for most residential lockouts. If you genuinely can't cover this, some councils run emergency housing assistance lines. Call 111 if it's late and you have children or vulnerable people with you.
Locked out? Need a locksmith now?
Call now and speak to John directly — no call centre, no script. You'll know the price before he's on his way.