What Should I Do if I’ve Been Locked Out of My Business?

May 4, 2023

Commercial lockouts can cause a lot of issues for your company and can result in loss of income as well as loss of trust from your clients or customers. This is why if a commercial lockout does occur (and they do more often than you think), you should address the issue immediately. But what should you do? If you ever find that you’ve been locked out of your office or store, read the tips below.

Stay Calm and Consider Your Options

Experiencing an office lockout or store lockout can be stressful, but you must take a deep breath and try to remain calm. No matter what you do, don’t kick or force the door open. Doing this will cause more harm than good since you’ll have to pay more for repairs. Instead, consider other possibilities. Have you been locked out during work hours? If so, it’s likely that another employee is already at work and can let you in. If no one is at work, give your employees or co-workers a call and ask if they have a spare key and what time they’re coming in. 

If you work alone or share a key with several people, you can try getting into your building through alternative entries. Does your business have any side or back doors that are unlocked? If the lockout occurred during business hours, one of them may have been left open. 

Call a Locksmith

If you’ve exhausted all immediate options and have had no luck, it’s time to call a commercial locksmith. Depending on what time of day (or night) you were locked out, you may need to contact a locksmith who offers 24/7 commercial lockout services . Once you make the call, the commercial locksmith should waste no time heading over to your location to get you back inside. The locksmith will likely gain entry to your workplace by either picking the lock or cutting a new key without requiring the original.

During Your Meeting With the Locksmith 

Once the commercial locksmith arrives at your location, you should discuss any concerns that you may have considering your situation. For example, if you have reason to believe that your keys were stolen or that you lost them in a public place where they can be traced back to you, your commercial locksmith may suggest that you rekey or replace your door locks.

Even if you’ve promised yourself that you’ll be extra careful with your keys because you don’t want to go through another office lockout, there’s no telling that you won’t make the same mistake twice. If you haven’t already gotten your keys duplicated, now’s the time to do so. Your commercial locksmith can duplicate a spare key for you on-site which will only take several minutes! Keeping a spare key in a secure location outside of the building can save you a lot of trouble if another commercial lockout occurs. Another option is to consider switching out your locks for electronic or keyless locks. Electronic locks don’t require the use of a lock and key but require keycards or codes (depending on what type of system you choose to install) and can save you a lot of time and money if you are experiencing commercial lockouts frequently. Ask your locksmith for recommendations. 

 

Looking for a Commercial Locksmith?

If you’re looking for a reputable locksmith company in the New York City area, reach out to Brothers Locksmith! Brothers Locksmith has plenty of experience resolving all kinds of commercial lockout-related issues from broken door locks to keys that are stuck in doors. We can also solve:

 

Brothers Locksmith is available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time of the day!

Call Us Any Time!

Call Now
Signs Your Ignition Cylinder Is Failing
By Rabia Tingat • October 16, 2026
Key stuck, hard to turn, or car won't start? Learn the signs of a failing ignition cylinder, what causes it, and what to do before you get stranded.
The Importance of Restricted Key Systems
By Rabia Tingat • October 14, 2026
Restricted key systems stop unauthorized copies. Learn how restricted keyways, patents, and authorization work, and if your business needs one.
Why Businesses Need Key Control Policies
By Rabia Tingat • October 12, 2026
A key control policy shows who holds keys, who can copy them, and what happens when one is lost. Learn what to include and who should own it.
Signs Your Car Door Lock Actuator Is Wearing Out
By Rabia Tingat • October 9, 2026
Door locks buzzing, slow, or working on only some doors? Learn the signs of a failing car door lock actuator, what causes it, and what to do next.
Why Your Car Door Unlocks but Won't Open
By Rabia Tingat • October 7, 2026
Car door unlocks but won't open? Learn the common causes, from child locks to broken latches and handle cables, plus what to try before calling a pro.
How Often Should Commercial Locks Be Inspected?
By Rabia Tingat • September 30, 2026
Waiting for a lock to fail costs more than checking it early. Here's how often to inspect commercial locks, and what events should trigger a check sooner.
Access Control Mistakes Small Businesses Make
By Rabia Tingat • September 27, 2026
Installed access control but still not getting the benefits? Here are the most common mistakes small businesses make, and how to avoid them.
How to Secure a Business After an Employee Leaves
By Rabia Tingat • September 24, 2026
An employee's departure leaves behind keys, codes, and credentials. Here's a step-by-step checklist to close every access gap before it becomes a risk.
More Posts