What we do on an emergency lockout
When you call, we ask a few quick questions: the type of door, the type of lock, whether the key is broken in the cylinder or simply missing, and whether anyone or anything vulnerable is inside. That tells us which tools to bring and gives you a realistic arrival window instead of a vague promise.
On arrival we confirm you are entitled to access the property before we touch the lock. This is a standard requirement for licensed locksmiths in Victoria and protects everyone involved.
- Home, unit and apartment lockouts
- Shopfront, office and warehouse lockouts
- Broken key extraction from cylinders and padlocks
- Jammed deadlocks, snapped latches and seized mechanisms
- Lock replacement on the spot when the existing hardware is beyond repair
Non-destructive entry first
Picking, bypassing or decoding a lock takes skill but saves you the cost of new hardware. We attempt non-destructive methods first on every job where the lock design allows it.
Some situations genuinely require drilling — high-security cylinders that have been vandalised, seized mechanisms, or a door that must be opened immediately for safety reasons. If drilling is the only sensible option we tell you before we start, explain why, and quote the replacement hardware at the same time.
What it costs
Emergency work is priced on a callout fee plus labour, with any parts quoted separately. Rates differ between business hours, after hours and public holidays, and we tell you which rate applies on the phone before we are dispatched.
You will always receive a price before work begins. If the job turns out to be different from what was described on the phone, we stop and re-quote rather than adding surprises to the invoice.
Common questions
- Can you open the door without damaging it?
- In most cases, yes. Non-destructive entry is our default approach. Where the lock or door design makes it impossible, we explain the alternative and its cost before proceeding.
- What proof of entitlement do you need?
- Photo ID matching the address, a lease or rates notice, or confirmation from the property owner or managing agent. If you have none of these on hand, call us and we will talk through the options.