Lockouts rarely happen at a convenient hour. Late shifts, the last train home, a night out on Bedford Street: these are the moments keys go missing. The phone line is open Monday through Sunday, all day, and the process is the same whether it is noon or two in the morning.
Types of after-hours lockout
- Residential: you cannot get into your house or apartment.
- Automotive: the keys are inside the car or the trunk, or the fob is dead.
- Commercial: the office or shop will not open or will not lock.
The phone call
The dispatcher asks four things: what kind of lock is it, are the keys lost or locked inside, is there visible damage, and is anyone at risk, such as a child or pet inside? Your answers decide what tools the locksmith brings and the approximate estimate you are given. Ask about current availability; at night the nearest locksmith may already be on another call.
At the door
The locksmith confirms the price, checks your ID and opens the lock without damage wherever possible. Picks and bypass tools work on most residential locks. For cars, a wedge and reach tool opens most doors without harm. Drilling is a last resort and is discussed with you first.
After you are in
If keys were lost or stolen, rekeying the lock in the same visit means nobody can use them. If the lock was worn or damaged, it can be replaced then and there. The warranty for lockout service shown on the price list is 24 hours; rekey and repair work carries 30 days, as stated on the list.
Be ready
Save 203-533-3123 in your phone, keep a spare key with someone you trust, and read the emergency locksmith page for what to have ready.