What Happens During a Locksmith Emergency in Melbourne

A locksmith emergency can happen at the worst moment. You drop your keys getting out of the car. The front door slams shut behind you while the stove is still on. Your key snaps off inside the ignition at a gas station. Your office building’s electronic lock fails at 7 AM with a lobby full of employees waiting to start their shift.

When these moments happen in Melbourne, FL, most people have never called a locksmith before and have no idea what to expect. Here’s exactly what happens from the moment you make the call to the moment the problem is solved.

The Phone Call

When you call an emergency locksmith, the first thing we need to know is your location and the type of lockout or emergency you’re dealing with. This isn’t just for dispatching purposes — it helps the technician load the right tools and parts before heading to you.

A car lockout requires different equipment than a residential deadbolt lockout. A broken key extraction needs different tools than an electronic lock malfunction. A safe lockout is an entirely different skillset. The more detail you can give on the phone, the faster the resolution once we arrive.

We’ll also give you an estimated arrival time. For Key-En-Lock, we’re mobile and based in Melbourne, so our response time across Brevard County is typically fast. We’ll also give you an upfront estimate of what the service will cost before we roll — no surprise charges when we show up.

What Happens When the Locksmith Arrives

The technician pulls up, identifies themselves, and assesses the situation in person. Sometimes the problem is exactly what you described on the phone. Sometimes it’s different — what you thought was a lockout might actually be a broken lock mechanism, or what seemed like a dead key fob might be an immobilizer issue.

Assessment comes first. A good locksmith doesn’t just start picking or drilling. They evaluate the lock, the door, the key (if available), and the overall situation to determine the least invasive method to resolve the problem. The goal is always to get you back in without damaging anything.

For a standard residential lockout, this usually means using lock picks or a bypass tool to open the lock without any damage to the door, frame, or lock itself. The lock works exactly the same afterward — no replacement needed.

For a car lockout, the approach depends on the vehicle. Older vehicles can often be opened with slim jim tools or long-reach tools that manipulate the interior lock mechanism through the door frame gap. Newer vehicles with more sophisticated security may require specialized air wedges and reach tools that carefully create enough space to press the interior unlock button.

The Resolution

Once the locksmith gains entry, the immediate emergency is over. But a good locksmith doesn’t just open the door and leave. There are follow-up considerations depending on the situation.

For residential lockouts: The locksmith checks that the lock is functioning properly after entry. If the lockout was caused by a malfunctioning lock (sticky cylinder, broken tailpiece, misaligned strike plate), they’ll identify the issue and can often fix it on the spot so it doesn’t happen again.

For car lockouts: If the lockout happened because of a dead fob battery, the locksmith can replace it right there. If it was a key left in the ignition, they may recommend a spare key be made. If the key broke off inside the lock or ignition, they’ll extract the broken piece and can cut a new key on-site.

For broken keys: Key extraction is a precision job. The locksmith uses specialized extractor tools to carefully remove the broken piece without damaging the lock cylinder’s internal pins. Once extracted, a new key can be cut from the broken pieces (if both halves are available) or from the lock’s code.

For electronic lock failures: Smart locks, keypads, and electronic deadbolts can fail due to dead batteries, firmware glitches, or hardware malfunctions. The locksmith will diagnose whether the issue is power-related (simple battery replacement), mechanical (backup key cylinder access), or electronic (may require reset or replacement).

How Long Does It Take?

Most locksmith emergencies are resolved faster than people expect:

A standard residential lockout typically takes 5 to 15 minutes once the locksmith begins working. Picking a standard pin tumbler lock is usually quick for a trained professional.

A car lockout ranges from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the vehicle’s security features. Older vehicles are generally faster. Newer vehicles with advanced security may take longer to ensure entry without triggering any alarms or causing damage.

A broken key extraction takes 10 to 20 minutes, plus additional time if a new key needs to be cut and tested.

An ignition repair or replacement can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on the vehicle and complexity.

What It Costs

Emergency locksmith pricing varies based on the type of service, but legitimate locksmiths are transparent about costs before starting work. At Key-En-Lock, we provide an estimate over the phone and confirm it before we begin.

Be wary of locksmiths who quote an extremely low price over the phone (like $15 or $19) and then inflate the bill on-site. This is a common scam in the locksmith industry. A legitimate emergency locksmith service will give you a realistic quote upfront that includes the service call and the work performed.

What to Do While Waiting

Once you’ve made the call, here’s how to make the best use of your wait time:

Stay with your vehicle or property. Don’t wander off — the locksmith needs you present to verify ownership and authorize the work.

Have your ID ready. A reputable locksmith will verify that you’re the owner or authorized user of the vehicle or property. This protects you from someone else calling a locksmith to access your car or home.

Stay safe. If you’re locked out in an unfamiliar area, at night, or in a situation that feels unsafe, stay in a well-lit public area. If you’re locked out of your car, sit inside a nearby business rather than standing alone in a dark parking lot.

Don’t try to break in yourself. The damage from a forced entry attempt almost always costs more to repair than the locksmith service would have cost. Broken car windows, bent door frames, and damaged lock cylinders are expensive problems that didn’t need to happen.

Key-En-Lock: Emergency Locksmith Service Across Brevard County

Key-En-Lock provides 24/7 emergency locksmith services throughout Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, Titusville, and all of Brevard County. Whether it’s a residential lockout at midnight, a car lockout at a shopping center, or a commercial lock failure on a Monday morning, we respond fast with the tools and expertise to resolve the situation.

We’re a local, family-owned business — not a call center routing your call to the nearest random contractor. When you call Key-En-Lock, you get our team, our tools, and our reputation standing behind the work.

Locksmith emergency? Call Key-En-Lock at (321) 224-5625 — we’re here 24/7.