Locked out of your home: what to do before you call anyone

Check the obvious first

It sounds patronising until it works. A surprising share of lockout callouts end with an unlocked back door, a window on the latch, or a key sitting in a jacket pocket in the car.

• Walk the full perimeter, including the laundry and garage internal doors
• Check whether a housemate, partner or neighbour holds a spare
• If you rent, call the agent - many hold a spare set during business hours
• Check whether the lock is actually locked, or whether the door has simply dropped and jammed

Do not force it

Credit cards, screwdrivers and shouldering the door do more damage than the lockout itself. A bent strike plate or split jamb turns a straightforward opening into a carpentry job, and forcing an aluminium door can crack the glazing bead.

What to tell the locksmith

The more precise you are, the more accurate the quote. Photos help enormously - most locksmiths will happily look at one before quoting.

• Your address and the nearest cross street
• Door material: timber, aluminium, glass or a security screen
• Whether the key is lost, broken in the lock, or locked inside
• Whether the deadbolt is thrown or just the latch

Proof you're entitled to enter

Any legitimate locksmith will ask for it. Photo ID showing the address, a lease, a rates notice, or written confirmation from the owner or agent all work. If someone offers to open a door without asking, that should worry you.

Ask for the price before work begins

Get the callout fee, the labour rate, and what happens if the lock cannot be opened non-destructively. Under Australian Consumer Law you are entitled to a clear price, and for work quoted above $75 you should receive an itemised invoice on request.