Quick answer: locked out of house, who to call? Call a local locksmith for the fastest and safest way back inside. A licensed locksmith can unlock most doors without breaking a window, usually in 20 to 30 minutes. This guide is for Indianapolis residents, renters, and homeowners who are locked out and need to know who to call right now.
Being locked out of your home is stressful, but you have good options. Below is exactly who to call, what a locksmith does at your door, what a lockout costs, and how to make sure you never get locked out again. For example, GEICO roadside assistance covers a lockout locksmith up to $100, though not the cost of new keys.
Take these steps in order. Most people who are locked out are back inside within half an hour once they stop panicking and call the right person.
First, Stay Calm and Check for a Spare Key
Before you call anyone, take a breath. Check all your pockets and bags for misplaced keys. It is common to find the key you thought was locked inside the house.
Next, look for a spare key. A spare key at a neighbor's home, in your car, or in a lockbox can end the lockout in seconds.
Then try every door and window to see if one is unlocked. Do not force anything, because a broken door or window costs far more than calling a locksmith.
Who to Call When You Are Locked Out
Once you know the house key is truly locked inside, it is time to call for help. Home lockouts happen to almost everyone, so do not feel embarrassed. Here is who to contact when you are locked out, in the order that saves the most time and money, whether you are downtown, near a garage, or anywhere in the city.
Call a Local Locksmith
A local locksmith is the best call for most home lockouts. A professional locksmith comes to your location, opens the door without damage, and can cut a new key or rekey the lock on the spot.
In Indianapolis, Chief of Locks answers the phone 24 hours a day at (317) 671-7873. An emergency locksmith is faster than waiting on anyone else, and the door stays secure. You do not need to search the internet for a sign of who is open; keep the number handy and call.
Call Your Landlord or Property Manager
If you rent, calling your landlord or property manager first can save you money. Landlords and property managers often keep master keys for rental properties, so they may let you in for free.
Your landlord may have a master key set aside for emergencies like this. If they cannot reach the home quickly, ask if they will approve a locksmith for the lockout.
Call a Neighbor or Family Member
If you left a spare key with a neighbor, a friend, or a family member, a quick phone call may solve the problem. This is the cheapest way back inside your home, so it is worth a try before calling a paid service.
When to Call the Police
If a child or pet is locked inside and in danger, call 911 right away. That is a true emergency, and help will come fast.
For a non-life-threatening lockout, call the local non-emergency police department. Officers do not usually unlock doors, but they can advise you, keep the situation safe, and confirm you belong at the home.
Check the Door and Lock Type
While you wait, inspect the lock type to find out if it is a spring latch or a deadbolt. A spring latch on a knob is easier to open than a deadbolt.
Knowing the door and lock type helps the locksmith bring the right tools and quote the right price. Look at whether the door is wood, metal, or glass too.
If you have a smart lock, you may not need anyone at all. Smart locks can be unlocked remotely with an app, or you can enter a code on the keypad to push the door open, so check the app before calling a locksmith.
Can You Get Back Inside Without a Locksmith?
It is tempting to try to get inside on your own, but be careful. Breaking a window or forcing a door can hurt you and rarely works cleanly.
Do not break a window or pry the door. Broken glass is dangerous, and the damage almost always costs more than a lockout service. A hardware store cannot get your front door open. There are several ways back in, so check other doors first, but a locksmith knows the safe options and will not damage anything.
Plastic-card tricks only work on a simple spring latch, never on a deadbolt, and they can damage the lock. A locksmith uses proper tools to unlock the door with no damage.
What a Locksmith Does on a House Lockout
A professional locksmith carries the tools to open almost any residential door, from a simple doorknob to a deadbolt in a steel frame. The locksmith verifies you live there by checking your driver's license, wallet, or a piece of mail with your address, then picks or bypasses the lock without harming the door or the frame.
If your key is lost for good, the locksmith can cut a new key or rekey the lock so old keys no longer work. That protects your home security if the key was stolen or never found.
One visit covers the lockout, a new key, and a rekey if you want one. A good locksmith also checks that the door and lock still work smoothly before leaving.
House Lockout Cost in Indianapolis
A standard house lockout in Indianapolis costs about $75 to $150, depending on the time of day and the lock. Locksmith hourly rates range from $50 to $100 during business hours.
After-hours, weekend, and holiday calls cost more because the locksmith is on call around the clock. Always ask about the full locksmith cost up front so there are no hidden fees. A trustworthy company gives a clear price for emergency services before dispatch.
If the lock is damaged, a lockout plus lock replacement can exceed $400. It is also worth a look at your insurance policy, since some renters and home policies offer lockout reimbursement.
Common Reasons People Get Locked Out
Lockouts happen to careful people every day. Knowing the common causes helps you prevent the next one.
- Leaving keys inside while taking out trash or grabbing mail
- A door that locks automatically behind you
- A lost or stolen key with no spare on hand
- A broken key that snaps off in the lock
- A worn lock or a dead smart lock battery that will not turn
Many of these have an easy fix. A spare key, a working lock, and a saved locksmith number remove most of the risk.
Locked Out at Night or With Someone Inside
Getting locked out at night or in bad weather feels worse, but the plan is the same. Call a 24-hour locksmith, stay in a safe, lit spot, and wait where you can see the door. A locksmith works the same at 2 a.m. as at 2 p.m., so being locked out after dark is not a reason to panic.
If you are locked out with a child, a pet, or medicine inside, say so when you call. A locksmith will treat that case as an emergency and rush to help you. If anyone inside is in real danger, call 911 first, then call a locksmith.
Whatever the case, do not try to enter through a window or damage the door. Breaking in to your own home can cause injury, and the repair costs more than the lockout. Let the locksmith enter safely so your home stays secure and nothing gets damaged.
Renters who are locked out should still call the landlord, but a landlord who cannot come quickly will often approve a locksmith. Homeowners who are locked out can go straight to a locksmith. Either way, keep a copy of a spare key somewhere safe so the next lockout is easy to solve.
How to Avoid Getting Locked Out Again
A little planning makes the next lockout unlikely. The goal is a spare key you can always reach, stored in a safe way that does not help a burglar.
- Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member
- Install a lockbox with a combination for secure access to a spare key
- Avoid fake rocks and common hiding spots, since thieves check them first
- Consider a smart lock with a keypad so you never need a physical key
- Keep a locksmith phone number saved before you ever need it
Do not hide a key under the mat. Avoid using fake rocks or obvious hiding spots, because they are the first place a burglar looks. A lockbox or a smart lock is a far safer way to keep a spare and protect your home. You can verify a locksmith through the Associated Locksmiths of America. Schlage makes a wide range of residential deadbolts and smart locks for home security.