Locked Out of Your House in Montreal? Do This First.

Being locked out of your house is one of the most stressful things that can happen on a regular day. The good news: in most Montreal apartments and houses, a licensed locksmith can usually get you back inside quickly — without damaging your door or lock.

First, slow down for 60 seconds Check every door and ground-floor window. About one in five "lockouts" we get called for ends with a back door that was never locked. Ask a neighbour you trust if they have a spare. If your building has a concierge or property manager, call them before anything else.

Don't break the door We get calls every week from people who paid a locksmith to install a new lock after kicking in the door themselves. A properly repaired residential door — frame, jamb, strike plate, paint — costs several times more than a lockout call, and a lockout call leaves the door intact.

What a real Montreal locksmith will do A licensed BSP locksmith will tell you the service call before driving out: $29 service call. When we arrive, we use professional picks or a bypass tool that leaves zero marks on your lock. If your lock is old or damaged we'll tell you on the spot whether a rekey or replacement makes more sense.

Red flags to avoid "Service call starting at…" ads are almost always bait. The real bill arrives once the tech is at your door. Ask three questions before you agree:

• What is the service call, and what can change once you're on site?
• Are you BSP licensed? (ask for the number)
• Do you accept debit or e-transfer, or only cash?

Any hesitation is your signal to call someone else.