What To Do if You're Locked Out of The House
Locked out of the house in Plantation? Learn all about why you should choose Mr. Spare Key for any lockout service. What should be your criteria for choosing a locksmith to unlock the house?
First, make sure that the company you’re calling is licensed, bonded, and insured. This is more important than you’d think. The problem with calling unknown companies for any service is that if something is done poorly, or damage is caused, you have no recourse because you likely don’t even have the real company name, and if the company doesn’t have insurance, the only way to get compensated is by filing a lawsuit. The problem with filing a lawsuit is that the damage is usually less than the filing fee, and so then the company causes damage you need to pay for, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Alternatively, when a company like ours, has insurance, you can call the insurance company and file a claim.
Second, make sure the company is really local. If the company is sending you a locksmith from an hour away location, you’ll end up waiting a really long time for the technician to come unlock the door. If you call a local company, your wait time should be less than 30 minutes. Our customers in Plantation have a very short wait time as we’re local.
Third, ensure that the company you call has technicians who are trained and experienced in the service you need, so you can be sure the job will be done well. Our locksmiths have received extensive training to ensure that our customers are satisfied.
How do house lockouts happen?
Usually, it’s because people are in a hurry and accidentally lock the doorknob with the key inside, or they lose their house keys. However, sometimes people get locked out of the house because the lock is broken, as in it falls off the door, or the key turns the lock, but it doesn’t unlock the door. Sometimes we can simply repair the lock, and they can use it as they did before, and other times the lock will need to be replaced. Either way, we can open up the door and get you back into the air conditioning and then discuss how to solve your problem permanently.
How to Unlock the Door Yourself
Sometimes, you simply don’t have money for a locksmith to unlock the door and that’s okay. You still need to get inside and we’re happy to help as much as possible. If only the doorknob is locked, your aim is to get the doorknob latch into the door so you can open it despite it still being locked. You can try pushing the latch in with a butter knife or credit card. If neither works, you can try to pick the lock if it’s not a smart key lock. If the deadbolt is locked, the only ways to open it will be to either pick the lock (which doesn’t work if it’s smart key) or drill the cylinder. The risk of drilling the cylinder is that after you drill it, if you over drilled then metal parts can be melted, or other issues and then if you still need a locksmith, it will cost a lot more because they’ll be coming to a much harder job now.
What to Do If You Are Locked Out of the House
First, stay calm. This happens to people every day even if it might be your first time. Call a local locksmith. While you wait, try to stay in the shade and if you have a nearby shop or neighbor you can go to so you can wait in air conditioning, do so. When the locksmith arrives, have your ID prepared since all locksmiths need ID to unlock a house. If your ID is in the house produce it as soon as the door is open. If you don’t have any cash, ensure that the locksmith takes credit card before having them come. Also, most importantly, ask the price before the locksmith comes, and ask if there are any additional fees. Make sure that you sign a receipt with the correct amount.
