Locked Out of Your House in DFW? Here's What to Do (No Damage)

Step 1: Check Every Door and Window

Before you call anyone, check all possible entry points:

• Check every exterior door — the back door, side door, garage door. One might be unlocked
• Check the garage — if you can get into the garage, is there a door to the house that's unlocked?
• Check ground-floor windows — one might be unlatched. Don't force a locked window (you'll break it)
• Check the pet door — if it's large enough, you might be able to reach through and unlock the door
• Check with a neighbor — do they have a spare key? Did you leave one with anyone?

Step 2: Check for a Hidden Key

Did you hide a spare key anywhere? Think hard — under a rock, in a fake rock, in a magnetic box under a flowerpot, with a trusted neighbor. Now is the time to remember.

If you don't have a hidden key, consider this a lesson: after you get back in, hide a spare with a trusted neighbor or in a lockbox. Don't hide it under the doormat — that's the first place a burglar looks.

Step 3: Call a Residential Locksmith

If no spare exists and no door or window is unlocked, it's time to call a professional. A residential locksmith can unlock your door in 5-10 minutes using non-destructive techniques — no drilling, no broken windows, no damaged locks.

Cost in DFW: $89-$150. Response time: average 18 minutes. We're available 24/7 — the price is the same at 3 AM as at 3 PM.

What NOT to Do

Avoid these — they cause damage and cost more than a locksmith:

• Don't break a window — costs $200-$400 to replace, plus risk of injury from glass
• Don't drill the lock — destroys the lock cylinder, adds $150-$300 for a replacement
• Don't kick the door — can damage the door frame, the door itself, or the hinges. Frame repair costs $200-$500
• Don't use a credit card on the latch — only works on simple latch bolts, not deadbolts, and can damage the card and the weather stripping
• Don't try to pick the lock yourself with a paperclip — you'll damage the pins and make the lock harder for a professional to open

How a Professional Unlocks Your Door

We use several non-destructive techniques depending on your lock type:

• Lock picking — we use professional tension wrenches and picks to manipulate the tumblers open. No damage to the lock
• Bypass tools — for some locks, we can use a tool that bypasses the pins entirely (e.g., through the latch mechanism)
• Shimming — for some latch bolts, we can use a thin shim to retract the latch without picking
• For high-security or multi-point locks, we may need specialized tools, but the technique is still non-destructive
• Total time: 5-10 minutes for most residential locks

After You're Back In: Prevent It Next Time

Once you're inside, take steps to prevent another lockout:

• Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor — the simplest and most reliable backup
• Install a lockbox — a combination lockbox screwed to an exterior wall, with a spare key inside
• Consider a smart lock — unlock with your phone, a keypad code, or a fingerprint. Never get locked out again
• Hide a key in a non-obvious spot — not under the doormat or a fake rock. Try a magnetic box in a non-obvious location
• Make a habit of checking for your key before you close the door — pat your pocket before the door shuts