Locked Out of Your House? We'll Get You Back In Fast

Critical Emergency

30 minutes Response

Locked Out of Your House? We'll Get You Back In Fast

Emergency home lockout service in Austin with 30-minute average response time. Professional, non-destructive entry 24/7/365. Get back inside quickly and safely.

Emergency Call: (512) 777-0915 Get Help Now

Current Status

Critical Priority

Technicians on standby for immediate dispatch.

Avg. Response

30 minutes

Currently active and dispatching

Availability

24/7/365

Including pending holidays and weekends.

How It Works

Emergency Response Process

We've streamlined our process to get you back to safety as quickly as possible.

1. Your Emergency Call

We ask for your address, lock type, and if anyone is in danger. We provide an upfront price quote and ETA.

2. Technician Dispatched

Our closest mobile unit heads your way. Average arrival time is 30 minutes in South Austin.

3. Verification of Residence

For your safety, we verify you live there (ID, mail, lease). We never unlock homes without verification.

4. Professional Lock Picking

We use professional tools to pick your lock. 90% of lockouts are resolved this way without damage.

5. Alternative Entry

If picking isn't possible, we use other non-destructive methods. Drilling is an absolute last resort.

6. Prevention & Spares

We get you back inside and can cut spare keys on-site to prevent future lockouts.

How We Can Help

Emergency House Lockout Service

Professional house lockout service - we'll unlock your door without damage and get you back inside in minutes.

Learn More

Lock Replacement Service

Lost your keys or unsure who has copies? We can rekey your locks on-site so old keys won't work.

Learn More

You pat your pockets. No keys. You check your purse. Not there either. The door just slammed shut behind you - locked. You’re standing on your porch or driveway, locked out of your own home.

Maybe you took the trash out and the door locked behind you. Maybe you left keys on the kitchen counter. Maybe your child locked the deadbolt from inside. Maybe you lost your keys entirely.

Stop & Breathe

Don’t panic. Don’t break a window. Don’t try to pick the lock yourself.

South Austin Locksmith provides professional 24/7 emergency home lockout service throughout Greater Austin. We’ll unlock your door in minutes without damage and get you back inside quickly.

Why Home Lockouts Happen (It Happens to Everyone)

Home lockouts are one of our most common emergency calls. Here’s why they happen so frequently:

Our Home Lockout Service Process

1. Your Emergency Call

We ask for your address, lock type, and if anyone is in danger. We provide an upfront price quote and ETA.

2. Technician Dispatched

Our closest mobile unit heads your way. Average arrival time is 30 minutes in South Austin.

3. Verification of Residence

For your safety, we verify you live there (ID, mail, lease). We never unlock homes without verification.

4. Professional Lock Picking

We use professional tools to pick your lock. 90% of lockouts are resolved this way without damage.

5. Alternative Entry

If picking isn't possible, we use other non-destructive methods. Drilling is an absolute last resort.

6. Prevention & Spares

We get you back inside and can cut spare keys on-site to prevent future lockouts.

What NOT to Do When Locked Out

Don't try to pick it yourself

Bobby pins and paperclips don’t work like in movies.

Amateur picking works <1% of time
Frequently breaks pins inside cylinder
Can jam lock requiring $150-$300 replacement

Don't break a window

It’s more expensive than a locksmith.

Window replacement: $200-$800
Dangerous broken glass
Security risk until fixed

Don't kick in the door

The most expensive mistake.

Frame damage: $300-$800
Door replacement: $500-$1,500
Additional Lock replacement: $100-$200
Total cost: $900-$2,500 vs. $95-$200 for our service.

Special Home Lockout Situations

Apartment Lockouts

If you rent an apartment: 1. Check if property management office is open (they may have spare). 2. Call landlord or property management emergency line. 3. If unavailable, call us at (512) 777-0915. Requirements: Proof of residence. Cost: Same as house lockout ($95-$200).

Child Locked Inside Home

Immediate Action Required: Can child reach door to unlock it with guidance? Is child in immediate danger (stove, chemicals)? Call us at (512) 777-0915 immediately: We prioritize this (15-25 min target). If immediate danger: Call 911 first.

Disabled or Elderly Person Locked Out

We prioritize lockouts involving disabled individuals or elderly persons, especially in extreme weather. Call (512) 777-0915 and mention this to expedite response. While waiting: Find shelter and stay hydrated.

Late Night Lockouts (Midnight - 6 AM)

Locked out at 2 AM? We provide 24/7 service. Cost: Late night fee ($150-$200) applies. Wait: 40-60 minutes typically. Safety: Wait in a safe, well-lit location.

Preventing Future Home Lockouts

Strategy 1

Hide-a-Key (Done Right)

DON’T hide keys:

Under doormat (burglars check first)
In fake rock (obvious)
Above door frame

DO hide keys:

Best Option: Combination lockbox ($20-$40).
At trusted neighbor’s house.
Buried in backyard at specific location.

Strategy 2

Spare Key with Buddy

Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or family member living nearby.

Important: Tell them they have it, label it, and keep their phone number handy.

Strategy 3

Keyless Entry Locks

Smart locks eliminate lockouts.

Keypad entry (code)
Smartphone entry
Biometric (fingerprint)

Cost: $150-$300 installed. We can install these during your lockout service call.

Strategy 4

The Pocket Tap

Make it a habit:

Touch keys in pocket before closing door.
If going outside “just for a second”, prop door open.
Keep car key and house key on separate rings to avoid losing everything.

Wait! Read this first.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to unlock my house?

Most residential lockouts take 10-20 minutes once our technician arrives. Standard deadbolt and knob locks take 10-15 minutes. High-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) may take 20-30 minutes. We average 30-minute response time from your call to arrival in South Austin, 45 minutes for outlying areas. Total time from call to being back inside your house: 40-60 minutes typically.

• Will you damage my door getting in?

No. We use professional lock picking and non-destructive entry techniques. We NEVER kick in doors, break windows, or drill locks as first resort. Our technicians are trained to pick locks without damaging the lock mechanism, door frame, or paint. In rare cases where lock cannot be picked (broken lock, extreme high-security lock), we'll discuss drilling as last resort - but this is needed in less than 5% of lockouts.

• How much does emergency house lockout service cost?

Standard house lockout: $95-$150 during business hours (8 AM - 6 PM weekdays). After-hours service (nights, weekends, holidays): $150-$200. Price depends on lock type (standard vs. high-security), number of locks, time of day, and location. We provide exact quote over the phone before dispatch - no hidden fees or surprise charges. Price includes unlocking service only; lock rekeying or replacement is additional if needed.

• Do I need proof I live there?

Yes, for your protection we require proof of residence before unlocking your home. Acceptable proof: Driver's license matching address, utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or mail delivered to address. If you're locked out and don't have documents inside, we can verify property records online. We NEVER unlock homes without verification - this protects you from burglary. For rental properties, we may contact landlord for verification.

• I'm locked out with kids/groceries/pets outside - how fast can you come?

We prioritize lockouts with children, elderly, or pets outside (especially in hot or cold weather). Call (512) 777-0915 and tell dispatcher about your situation - we'll give priority response. Average response: 20-30 minutes for priority calls in South Austin. While waiting, find shelter (neighbor's house, car with AC, covered porch). If temperature is extreme (over 95°F or below 40°F) and you have vulnerable people with you, we'll expedite further.

• Can you make me new keys on the spot so this doesn't happen again?

Yes! We carry key-cutting equipment in our mobile units. After unlocking your door, we can immediately: Cut spare keys ($5-$10 per key), rekey your existing locks so old keys don't work ($25-$40 per lock), or replace locks with new ones ($75-$150 per lock installed). Most customers get 2-3 spare keys made during lockout service to prevent future lockouts. Hide-a-key recommendations: NOT under doormat or in fake rock - instead use combination lockbox secured to hidden location.

• What if I have high-security locks like Medeco?

We can pick most high-security locks including Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Schlage Primus, and ASSA. High-security locks take longer (20-40 minutes vs. 10-15 minutes for standard locks) and may cost slightly more ($150-$200 vs. $95-$150) due to specialized tools and expertise required. Some extreme high-security locks cannot be picked and require drilling/replacement - we'll tell you upfront if this is the case.

• My lock is old and might be broken - can you still help?

Yes. If your lock is broken, jammed, or frozen, we can still get you inside. Options include: Pick the lock if it's functioning enough, drill and replace lock if it's completely non-functional (more common in emergency lockouts), or remove lock cylinder and install new one on-site. If lock needs replacement, we carry standard residential deadbolts and knobs in our trucks ($75-$150 installed). You're back inside in 30-45 minutes with a brand new lock.

Need Help Right Now?

Don't wait - emergency locksmith service available 24/7/365 with 30 minutes average response time.

Call Now: (512) 777-0915 View Service Area