Getting locked out happens to everyone. Keys on the counter, a door that swings shut behind you, a bag left in someone else’s car. The first few minutes decide whether this costs you half an hour or a whole night and a broken window.
1. Check every door and window, but don’t climb
Try the back door, the garage, a window you might have left open. If it’s on the ground floor and opens without forcing anything, great. If getting in means climbing a balcony or forcing a screen, stop there. A locksmith costs less than a fall or a broken window.
2. Call your building manager
A lot of apartment and loft buildings in Downtown Los Angeles have a manager or a front desk with access to a spare key. It’s worth one call before anything else.
3. If you call a locksmith, get the price before they drive out
A real locksmith can give you a price on the phone once they know the type of lock and where you are. If someone won’t give you a number, or only quotes a tiny “service fee,” keep calling. That tiny fee is usually not the final bill.
We give you the price on the phone before we drive out.
4. Have your ID ready
Any responsible locksmith confirms you live at the address before opening the door. Expect to be asked for ID that matches the address. If it’s locked inside with everything else, say so on the phone.
5. Wait somewhere safe and visible
At night, wait in a lit spot where you can see the street. Keep your phone on and share your location with someone if you’re alone.
Locked out of your car instead?
Skip the coat hanger. On a modern car it can scratch the paint, tear the weather stripping, or damage the wiring inside the door. A locksmith can open most cars without damage, and a lost key can often be replaced on the spot. More on our car locksmith page.
Need a locksmith now? Call (213) 545-6740. We answer 24/7 and typically arrive within 20–30 minutes anywhere in a 20-mile radius of Downtown Los Angeles. See our 24/7 emergency locksmith page.