Imagine this: It’s the middle of the night and you’ve just run out to your car to grab a folder you left in it after work. You’re home alone and quickly realize that you’ve locked yourself out. Nobody you know has a spare key and you need to get back into the house. What do you do?

If you’re like most people, you immediately start prowling around the exterior of the house looking for an open window. As you do that, you curse yourself for not putting out a spare key. Unfortunately, there are no windows open and you’re in a jam. So now what?

Emergency Locksmith

An emergency locksmith can help you get out of a jam like this and get you back into your house in a matter of minutes. Emergency locksmiths work off-hours, so even if its the middle of the night, you’ll be able to get a hold of someone that can help you get back into your house, your car or wherever you need to be.

Every situation is different, so whether the locksmith picks the lock, cuts the lock or breaks the lock will depend on your door. If they need to destroy the lock to give you access, an emergency locksmith can install a new lock and provide you with new keys on the spot. They won’t leave you with a broken door and no way to secure your vehicle or home.

Cost

While this type of service is certainly convenient, you’re probably wondering how much it costs. Anything with the word “emergency” in it is going to cost you more because in an emergency situation, you don’t have the luxury of shopping around. If you’re facing being locked out of your house or car until the morning or paying a premium price for a service, you’ll likely choose the higher price.

If kids or pets are involved and their safety is at risk, cost will be the last thing you think about. However, if you have the luxury of time, try calling 2 or 3 locksmiths to get a rate before making your selection.

In general, you should expect to pay 1.5 to 2 times the cost of a normal locksmith if it’s after hours or on the weekend. The added premium makes up for the inconvenience to the locksmith and gives you access to your home or car faster.

The next time you’re locked out of your home or vehicle after hours or on the weekend, don’t panic. Just call an emergency locksmith and you’ll be back to your life before you know it.