Locked out of your house: what to do first
Last reviewed 2 October 2026 by the Swansea Locksmith Quotes team
The short answer
Check every door and window you would normally use, and whether anyone else has a key (a housemate, family member, landlord or letting agent). If a child, a vulnerable person or a hazard such as a cooker left on is inside, call 999. Otherwise, a locksmith can usually open a door without damage, but the method and price depend on the lock, so describe it accurately before anyone attends.
Step by step
- Stay calm and check the back door, patio door and any ground-floor windows that you know are already open. Do not climb or force anything.
- Phone anyone who holds a spare key. Renters: your landlord or letting agent may have one and may need to approve any lock work.
- If someone vulnerable is inside, or something dangerous is switched on, call 999 rather than waiting for a locksmith.
- Note the type of door (uPVC, composite, timber) and lock (a euro cylinder with a thumb-turn, a mortice lock, a nightlatch). A photo of the outside of the lock helps.
- Request quotes and compare the call-out basis. Ask whether non-destructive entry is expected and what happens if the lock has to be drilled.
Will the locksmith need to damage the lock?
Many lockouts on uPVC and composite doors are opened without damaging the door. If the cylinder has to be drilled or picked out, you will need a new cylinder, which is usually a modest extra part cost. A good quote says which outcome is likely and what each would cost.
Proof you live there
A responsible locksmith will ask for proof that you live at the property once the door is open, such as a bill, ID with the address, or a tenancy agreement. That protects you too.
Swansea timing
Response times vary with the time of day and where you are. A lockout in the city centre at 2am may have different options from one in Gorseinon on a weekday afternoon. Providers state their own availability when they quote.
When to get help
Call 999 if anyone inside is at risk. For a straightforward lockout, request quotes and pick the provider whose price basis and arrival time suit you.
General guidance only. If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas, call the emergency services first.