It is 11 p.m. on a Tuesday in January. The wind chill is negative fifteen. You just stepped outside your Lakeview apartment to take the trash out, and the door clicked shut behind you. Your keys, your phone, and your wallet are all sitting on the kitchen counter.
If you have ever been locked out of your house in Chicago, you know the feeling — that instant wave of panic mixed with frustration. You are not alone. Home lockouts are one of the most common reasons people call a locksmith, and in a city where winter temperatures can be dangerous, getting back inside quickly is not just a convenience. It is a safety issue.
This guide covers exactly what to do when you are locked out of your house, what to avoid, what to expect from a professional locksmith, and how to make sure it never happens again.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When You Are Locked Out
Before you panic or try to force your way in, slow down. A calm, methodical approach will get you back inside faster and with less damage to your door, your lock, or your bank account.
1. Check Every Possible Entry Point
Walk the perimeter of your home. Check every door — front, back, side, and garage. Try every ground-floor window. In Chicago’s two-flats and courtyard buildings, it is common to have a back door or garden-level entry you may have left unlocked.
Look for:
Back doors and side gates
Sliding glass doors (these sometimes have weak latches)
Garage entry doors
Basement windows that are cracked open
First-floor windows you may have left unlocked
Do not climb onto roofs, fire escapes, or upper-story ledges. The risk of injury is not worth it.
2. Contact Someone Who Has a Spare Key
Think about who might have a copy of your key:
A spouse, roommate, or family member
Your landlord or property management company
A neighbor you have trusted with a spare
Your building’s door staff or management office
If your phone is locked inside, knock on a neighbor’s door and ask to borrow theirs. Most people are happy to help, especially when they can see you are locked out in a Chicago winter.
3. Check if Your Lock Has a Smart or Keypad Option
If you have a keyless entry system or a smart lock, you may be able to unlock the door remotely through a phone app, a keypad code, or a voice assistant. Some smart locks also have backup physical key slots hidden under the keypad cover.
4. Call a Licensed Locksmith
If none of the above options work, it is time to call a professional. Contact a licensed emergency locksmith who can get you back inside without damaging your lock or door.
When you call, have this information ready (or be prepared to provide it at the door):
Your exact address
The type of lock on your door (deadbolt, knob lock, smart lock, or you are not sure)
Whether you are the homeowner or a renter
Any time-sensitive factors (children inside, pets, medication, extreme weather)
A reputable locksmith like The Professional Locksmith can be reached 24/7 at (312) 796-0901. Our mobile locksmith service covers all Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs.
What NOT to Do When You Are Locked Out of Your House
When you are standing outside in the cold and the frustration is building, it is tempting to take matters into your own hands. Resist the urge. The following mistakes can turn a simple lockout into an expensive disaster.
Do Not Break a Window
A broken window will cost you $200 to $800 or more to replace — far more than a locksmith service call. You also risk serious cuts from broken glass, and in a multi-unit Chicago building, you may trigger a security alarm or a call to the police.
Do Not Try to Pick the Lock Yourself
YouTube makes it look easy. It is not. Without proper tools and training, you are far more likely to damage the lock cylinder, which turns a simple lockout into a full lock replacement. That means higher cost and more time waiting outside.
Do Not Force the Door Open
Kicking a door in or using a credit card on a deadbolt will damage the door frame, the strike plate, and potentially the door itself. In a Chicago rental, you will also be liable for the repair costs.
Do Not Hire an Unlicensed “Locksmith”
This is one of the most important warnings in this entire guide. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that locksmith scams are a persistent consumer protection issue nationwide. Here is how the scam typically works:
You search “locksmith near me” in a panic and call the first number you see.
A dispatcher quotes you $35 to $50 over the phone.
An unmarked vehicle shows up. The technician has no ID, no uniform, and no company branding.
They drill out your lock (destroying it unnecessarily) and then hand you a bill for $300 to $700.
They pressure you to pay in cash on the spot.
To avoid this, always verify that your locksmith is licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask for their credentials before they start any work. A legitimate company like The Professional Locksmith will have verifiable credentials and licenses, uniformed technicians, marked vehicles, and transparent pricing.
What to Expect When a Locksmith Arrives
If you have never called a locksmith before, you might not know what the process looks like. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what happens from the moment you call to the moment you are back inside.
The Timeline
Step
What Happens
Estimated Time
Phone call
You describe the situation and get a quote
2-5 minutes
Dispatch
A technician is dispatched to your location
Immediate
Arrival
Technician arrives at your door
15-30 minutes (most Chicago locations)
Identification
Technician verifies your identity and right to access
2-3 minutes
Lock assessment
Technician examines the lock type and entry method
2-5 minutes
Entry
Technician picks or bypasses the lock without damage
1-15 minutes (varies by lock type)
Completion
You are back inside, lock is functioning normally
Total: 20-60 minutes
Most standard home lockouts in Chicago take under 30 minutes from the time the technician arrives. High-security locks, smart locks, or older deadbolts can take slightly longer.
Identity Verification
A legitimate locksmith will ask you to verify that you live at the address. This usually means showing a driver’s license, a piece of mail, or a lease agreement. This is not a hassle — it is a sign that your locksmith is protecting you and your neighbors. At The Professional Locksmith, every technician runs through a verification process before beginning any work, because every one of our employees has passed a full background check.
Non-Destructive Entry
A skilled, Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL) can open most residential locks without drilling, cutting, or damaging the hardware. This is a key difference between a trained professional and an unlicensed operator who drills first and asks questions later.
How Much Does a Home Lockout Service Cost in Chicago?
Cost is usually the first question people ask, and it is a fair one. Here are the general ranges you can expect for a home lockout service in Chicago:
Service
Typical Cost Range
Standard residential lockout (daytime)
$85 - $175
After-hours / weekend / holiday lockout
$125 - $250
High-security lock lockout
$150 - $300
Lockout + lock replacement (if needed)
$175 - $400+
Factors that affect cost:
Time of day. After-hours calls (nights, weekends, holidays) may carry a higher service fee.
Lock type. A standard Kwikset or Schlage deadbolt is quicker to open than a MUL-T-Lock or high-security cylinder.
Condition of the lock. If the lock is damaged, frozen, or has a broken key stuck inside, additional work may be needed.
Location. Some areas of the Chicago metro require longer drive times.
The Professional Locksmith provides upfront pricing over the phone before dispatching a technician. No hidden fees. No surprise charges on arrival. We have been a family-owned Chicago locksmith since 2012, and our reputation depends on honest, transparent service. Call (312) 796-0901 for a quote.
Chicago-Specific Lockout Tips You Should Know
Living in Chicago means dealing with lockout situations that are unique to this city. Between the extreme weather, the density of apartment buildings, and the specific tenant laws in Illinois, there are a few things every Chicago resident should know.
Apartment Buildings, Buzzers, and Shared Entry
If you live in a multi-unit building — and roughly two-thirds of Chicago’s housing stock is multi-unit — your lockout may involve two separate locks: the building’s main entry and your individual unit door. If you can get into the building but not your unit, you have cut the problem in half.
Buzz a neighbor. Most Chicago apartment buzzers allow any tenant to let you into the common area.
Contact your landlord or management company. Illinois law requires landlords to provide tenants with working keys. If you are locked out due to a lock malfunction, your landlord may be responsible for the locksmith cost.
Check your lease for lockout provisions. Some Chicago property management companies have after-hours lockout protocols or maintain spare keys on-site.
Your Rights as a Chicago Renter
Under the Illinois Landlord Tenant Act, landlords are required to maintain locks in good working order and provide tenants with keys. If you are locked out because of a lock malfunction — not because you lost your key — your landlord may be legally obligated to cover the cost of getting you back in.
Additionally, a landlord cannot legally lock you out of your unit as a form of eviction. If you believe your locks have been changed without notice, contact the City of Chicago’s Renter’s Rights hotline or a tenant advocacy organization.
Cold Weather Lockouts
Chicago winters are not forgiving. If you are locked out when temperatures are below freezing, treat the situation as a safety issue, not just an inconvenience.
Move to a warm space immediately — a neighbor’s unit, a nearby business, or your building’s lobby.
If you cannot reach shelter and the temperature is dangerous, call 311 or 911.
Frozen locks are common in Chicago. If your key will not turn, do not force it. A locksmith can thaw and service the lock without breaking it.
How to Prevent Future Lockouts
Getting locked out once is stressful enough. Here is how to make sure it does not happen again.
Spare Key Strategies
Give a spare to a trusted neighbor or family member. This is the simplest and most reliable backup plan.
Use a lockbox. A wall-mounted key lockbox with a combination code (mounted in a discreet location) gives you 24/7 access to a spare.
Keep a spare in your car. If you drive, a house key stored in your vehicle’s glove box or a magnetic key holder is a reliable fallback.
Avoid “hide a key” rocks and fake sprinkler heads. Burglars know every hiding spot. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, leaving keys in obvious hiding spots is one of the most common home security mistakes.
Upgrade to Keyless Entry
The most effective long-term solution is eliminating the traditional key entirely. Modern keyless entry systems give you several ways to get in without a physical key:
Keypad deadbolts — Enter a code to unlock. No key needed. You can program temporary codes for guests, dog walkers, or house cleaners.
Smart locks — Unlock with your phone, a voice assistant, or auto-unlock when your phone is within range.
Biometric locks — Fingerprint-based entry for maximum convenience and security.
The Professional Locksmith is an authorized dealer for MUL-T-Lock, SwiftLane, and other leading security brands. Our residential locksmith team can evaluate your current locks and recommend the best upgrade for your home and budget.
Build a “Locked Out” Backup Plan
Program your locksmith’s number into your phone now — (312) 796-0901 — so you have it when you need it.
Make sure your landlord’s emergency number is saved in your phone, not just tacked to the fridge.
If you have children, make sure at least two adults have keys and that your kids know a backup plan for getting inside after school.