House Lockout Service in Savannah

How we open a locked house

The cleanest way to open a residential door is to pick the lock — manipulate the pins with a tension wrench and a pick until the cylinder turns. For most quality residential hardware, this works in a few minutes and leaves the lock in working order. For less common locks, we can use a bypass tool that operates the locking mechanism directly without working through the cylinder.

Drilling is the last option. It destroys the cylinder, requires us to replace the lock, and is used only when picking and bypass have failed and the customer accepts that the lock will need to be replaced. We will always tell you before we drill.

Proof of residence — why we ask

We will not open a door without verifying that the person standing there has the right to be inside. A driver's license matching the address is the cleanest way. A lease, a utility bill, or another piece of mail with the address also works. This is not us being difficult — it is the difference between a locksmith and a burglar.

When the door, not the lock, is the problem

Sometimes the deadbolt is unlocked but the knob latch is stuck because of a swollen frame or a bent strike plate. Sometimes the door is warped against the jamb. Sometimes the latch spring has failed and the door is mechanically jammed. We diagnose at the door and tell you straight what the actual problem is.

Common situations we see in Savannah

• Door pulled shut behind youMost common lockout in Savannah. Quick pick on a standard deadbolt and you are back in.
• Lost your only set of keysWe open the door, then talk through a rekey so the lost keys are no longer a security risk.
• Key broke off in the lockWe extract the broken half. If the lock is still functional, you keep it. If not, we replace.
• Smart lock battery diedMost have a 9V terminal under the keypad to power the lock long enough to enter your code. If yours doesn't, we open it via the backup keyway.
• Deadbolt jammed and won't retractOften an alignment issue with the strike plate. We can often fix it without replacing anything.
• Locked out of an apartment with the leasing office closedWe can open the unit if you can verify residency on site. Bring ID and a lease if possible.

What affects the price

Locksmith pricing is rarely a flat fee because no two jobs are the same. A house lockout on Tybee Road at noon is a different job than a high-security rekey for a downtown short-term rental. We'll always quote a price range over the phone before we drive out, and confirm the final price before any work starts.

• Time of dayStandard hours and after-hours have different rates. We will be transparent on the call.
• Lock typeA standard deadbolt is faster to open than a high-security cylinder.
• Whether drilling is neededDrilling adds the cost of a replacement lock.
• Distance from our normal service areaRight at the edge of Chatham County, the trip costs more. We will quote up front.

What to have ready before you call

A short call goes faster when you have a few details handy. None of this is required — we'll work with whatever you have — but it helps us send the right tools and the right tech.

• Photo ID with the addressDriver's license is easiest. If yours has a different address, bring a recent utility bill or lease.
• Type of lock if you know itSchlage, Kwikset, smart deadbolt, mortise lock — helps us bring the right tools.
• Whether you have any keysEven an old key, a broken half, or a key for a different door in the house can sometimes help.
• Where you are waitingFront porch, back patio, neighbor's house. We need to know where to meet you.

Local service area

House lockouts across Savannah, including downtown historic homes, Ardsley Park, Midtown bungalows, Southside neighborhoods, Georgetown, Wilmington Island, and Pooler.

Frequently asked questions