Step 1 — Contact Your Locksmith
If you have a LockCRM client portal, the fastest option is to submit a lockout directly through the app. Select "Report a Lockout," choose Residential, Automotive, or Commercial, and set the urgency. Your locksmith receives the alert instantly.
If you call by phone, have your address ready and let them know whether it's residential, commercial, or automotive — this helps the technician bring the right tools.
Step 2 — Dispatch and ETA
Most licensed locksmiths dispatch within minutes for emergency calls. Average response times:
Step 3 — Verification
When the technician arrives, they will verify your identity and right of access before beginning work. For residential calls, this typically means a government-issued ID and proof of address or a lease agreement. For commercial, your business ID or a signed letter of authorization from the property manager.
This step is non-negotiable — it protects you as much as it protects your locksmith.
Step 4 — Non-Destructive Entry
A skilled locksmith's first goal is non-destructive entry: bypassing or picking the lock without damaging it. This is possible in the majority of residential lockouts. Automotive lockouts are slightly more complex on modern vehicles but can typically be accomplished without breaking glass or damaging weatherstripping.
Destructive entry (drilling) is a last resort, used only when the lock is damaged, high-security, or the standard pick approach would take longer than the situation allows.
Step 5 — Documentation and Invoice
After entry, your locksmith will document the service call — the lock type used, method of entry, and any damage observed. In LockCRM, this creates a permanent work order record visible in your client portal.
An invoice is generated automatically and sent to the email on file. If you paid a deposit online, the remainder is collected at completion.