The most common question we get during a lockout call: "Are you going to have to break something?" Almost never. Here's what actually happens instead.
The Goal: Get You In, Leave No Trace
A licensed locksmith's whole approach is built around opening a lock without damaging the door, frame, or lock itself, so you walk away with a working door and no repair bill beyond the service call.
Lock Picking (The Classic Method)
Using a tension wrench and a pick, a locksmith manipulates the internal pins one at a time until they align at the shear line, the same mechanical action the correct key would produce, just done manually. This works on standard pin tumbler locks and leaves no damage.
Decoding
For some locks, it's faster to read the pin heights directly and cut a working key on the spot, essentially reverse-engineering your existing key without needing the original.
Bypass Tools
Certain lock and latch types can be manipulated directly, for example, slipping a spring latch, without ever touching the internal pins at all.
When It Takes a Bit Longer
High-security locks with anti-pick features (see our high-security locks guide) are, by design, harder to manipulate. That's actually a good thing for your everyday security, it just means a lockout on that specific hardware takes a bit more time and skill to resolve non-destructively.
What We Don't Do
We don't drill or force entry unless picking genuinely isn't an option for that specific hardware, and even then, only as a last resort with your approval first.
Verification Comes First
Before opening any residence, a responsible locksmith will ask for ID and proof of address, this protects you as much as it protects us.
Locked out right now? See our guides for house lockouts and car lockouts, or just call 818-249-5128.