Locked out of your home: what to do and how to avoid locksmith scams

First, take a breath

Being locked out feels urgent, and urgency is exactly what a dishonest locksmith relies on. In most cases you have a few minutes to think, and those minutes save you money.

If someone is in danger inside, a child alone, a vulnerable person or something left cooking, call 112 first. Everything else can wait for a clear head.

Check the other ways in

Before calling anyone, run through the easy options:

• a spare key with a partner, a family member, a neighbour or a friend
• a back door, a garage door or a window you left unlocked, if you can reach it safely
• your landlord, letting agent or building caretaker, who may hold a key
• your home insurance, which sometimes includes help for lockouts

Do not climb onto a balcony or through a high window. A broken lock is cheaper than a fall.

Call a locksmith the right way

Ask the price before they come

On the phone, ask for the total: the call-out, the labour, and any parts. Ask whether it changes in the evening or at the weekend. A reputable locksmith can give you a clear range once you describe the door and the lock.

Be wary of very low advertised prices

An advert with a very low starting price is a common hook. The low figure covers almost nothing, and the real bill appears once the door is open and you feel you have no choice.

Ask who is coming

Ask for the company name and the name of the person travelling. A real business answers easily.

When the locksmith arrives

Ask for a written quote before any work starts, and check it matches what you were told on the phone. If it does not, you can say no and send them away.

A door that was only pulled shut can often be opened without damage. Be cautious if the first suggestion is to drill the lock or replace it. Ask why, and ask what it will cost, before agreeing.

Pay by card or bank transfer, and ask for an invoice that shows the company's details and the work done.

Prepare before it happens

The best moment to choose a locksmith is a quiet afternoon, not a cold night on your doorstep. Ask neighbours or your syndic who they trust, check the business is registered, and save the number in your phone.

Leave a spare key with someone nearby you trust. Note the make of your lock, or take a photo of it, so a locksmith can tell you what to expect before they travel.