Home and apartment lockout service
Last reviewed June 2026 · Swift Key San Diego
Standing at your own front door with no key is frustrating, it should not also mean a destroyed deadbolt. We pick, bump, or decode most residential locks open in a few minutes. Drilling is a last resort, used only on high-security hardware or locks that are already broken.
What's included in this service?
- Standard deadbolts and knob locks, picked open, not drilled
- Apartment and condo units, we coordinate with property management if needed
- High-security locks (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Schlage Primus), decoded when possible
- Door-knob lockouts and bedroom push-button locks
- Mailbox and gate lockouts
- Post-break-in door security (rekey, strike plate repair, door reinforcement)
When do you need this service?
- Locked out without a spare key anywhere
- Key broke off in the deadbolt
- Deadbolt frozen or jammed after years without lubrication
- Toddler locked themselves in a bedroom and you need the door open
- Just moved in and the previous tenant never returned keys
What do homeowners ask about Home Lockout?
How much does a house lockout cost in San Diego?
$85–$125 during the day, +$45 after 10pm. High-security locks and broken-key extraction can run $125–$150. We quote before work starts. If we need to rekey after, we tell you the total before you commit.
Do I need to prove I live there?
Yes. Before we open the door we ask for ID matching the address, driver's license, utility bill on your phone, or lease agreement. No ID, no unlock. This protects you and us.
Can you open my lock without drilling?
Most residential locks, yes. Standard Kwikset, Schlage, Defiant, and Baldwin deadbolts pick open in a few minutes. We only drill if the lock is already broken, damaged, or a high-security cylinder that would take longer to decode than you want to wait.
What if my lock is already broken?
We still open it, and then we replace the damaged cylinder on-site. Most trucks carry standard Kwikset and Schlage replacements so you leave with a working lock the same visit.
Do you handle apartment lockouts?
Yes, for the tenant on the lease. If the property manager has asked us to coordinate, we follow their protocol, some buildings require a manager present during unlock, which is normal.
Where do we offer Home Lockout in San Diego County?
We provide home lockout in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
See home lockout in all 67 cities
Homeowners who hired us for this
Examples of the kind of feedback we work to earn on every job. Verified reviews from real customers live on our Google Business Profile and Yelp pages.
Locked keys in the car at Target parking lot on a Sunday afternoon. Called and the tech was there in 25 minutes. Used some kind of inflatable wedge and a rod, no damage to the door. Paid what they quoted, no surprises.
Just bought our first house and wanted all the locks rekeyed. Four doors, keyed alike, done in under an hour. The tech explained everything and even showed us how a rekey works. Way cheaper than replacing all the locks like we thought.
My late father's safe had been sitting locked for ten years, we had no combination. Swift Key opened it non-destructively, then helped me change the combo so I could actually use it. Took about 90 minutes. Professional and careful with the safe.
Need home lockout in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.