Step 1: Check Every Entry Point
Before you spend a dollar, check the obvious. Walk around your place — back door, side door, garage entrance, ground-floor window. In New York, especially in New York City and Buffalo, a surprising number of "lockouts" are solved by finding an unlocked back door.
Don't force a stuck window — broken glass is dangerous and costs more to fix than a locksmith call.
Step 2: Try Everyone Who Might Have a Spare
Roommate? Partner? Family member who lives nearby? Landlord? Building manager? In Rochester apartment complexes, the property office often has a master key. Call around before calling a locksmith — it might save you $100.
Step 3: Call (716) 437-6624
No spare key? No open window? It's time to call. Our dispatch center answers 24/7. Here's what the dispatcher needs from you:
- Your location — address, or nearest cross-street. If you're in Manhattan's Upper West Side, Brooklyn's Park Slope, Buffalo's Allentown district, tell the dispatcher — it helps them route the closest locksmith.
- The type of lock — deadbolt, smart lock, knob lock, or "I have no idea" (that's fine too)
- Urgency — how fast you need help
The dispatcher gives you an estimated arrival time and a general price range. Then a locksmith is on the way.
Step 4: Get Your ID Ready
While you wait, find your driver's licence, a utility bill, your lease — anything that proves you live there. The locksmith will ask. This is for your protection: it ensures they're not helping someone break into your home.
Step 5: The Locksmith Opens the Lock
The locksmith arrives, confirms your ID, and looks at the lock. They quote a price. You approve. Then they pick it — usually in under 5 minutes. Your key still works. Nothing is damaged. You're back inside.
In the rare case the lock can't be picked (high-security locks, damaged locks), the locksmith drills it and installs a new one on the spot. This costs more, but it's confirmed before they start.
If It's Your Car, Not Your House
Same process, different tools. A car lockout in New York — whether you're in a New York City parking garage or a Buffalo roadside — is usually even faster. The locksmith uses an air wedge and long-reach tool to unlock the door. No broken glass. No scratches. About 10 minutes.
Don't break a window. A car window replacement costs $200–$500. A locksmith unlocking your door costs $50–$150. Do the math.
The One Thing You Should Never Do
Don't try to be your own locksmith. Kicking the door, drilling the lock, picking with a paperclip, using a credit card — every one of these turns a $100 problem into a $300+ problem. deep freezes that contract metal and nor'easters that ice up exterior deadbolts — locks in New York are already under stress. Let a professional handle it.
New York Cities We Cover
Quick Questions
How do I get back into my locked house in New York?
Check all other entry points, try anyone with a spare key, then call (716) 437-6624. A locksmith in New York can pick your lock open in minutes without damage.
How long does it take for a locksmith to open a house door?
Most residential lockouts are resolved in 10-20 minutes once the locksmith arrives. The picking itself usually takes under 5 minutes.
Can I unlock my own door?
Attempting to pick or drill your own lock usually results in damage that costs more to repair than a professional locksmith call. It's not worth the risk.
What if I'm locked out at night in New York?
Call (716) 437-6624. Our dispatch operates 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. After-hours calls include a $50-$100 surcharge.