Last updated: February 2026
It's 11 PM. You're standing in the Publix parking lot on US-1, keys clearly visible on your front seat, and your phone is at 6% battery. Or maybe you just got home to your place off Kanner Highway and your front door lock is completely jammed after the afternoon thunderstorm warped the door frame. Whatever got you here, you need an emergency locksmith in Stuart FL right now, not a brochure about one.
Here's what's actually going to happen when you call Stuart Locksmiths, what it'll cost, and how long you'll really be waiting. No surprises.
How Fast Can a Stuart Emergency Locksmith Actually Get to You?
Our average response time across Stuart is 20-35 minutes. That covers everything from the Indiantown Road corridor to Sailfish Point, from downtown Stuart near the Riverwalk to neighborhoods out past the Turnpike exchange. If you're closer to Palm City or Jensen Beach, the answer is the same, because we run calls throughout Martin County all day and all night.
Traffic on Monterey Road or a backup at the bridge on SE Ocean Boulevard can push that to 40 minutes on a bad evening. We'll tell you the honest ETA when you call, not a number designed to make you feel better before we show up late.
Stuart Locksmiths operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That includes Christmas, the weekend of the Stuart Boat Show, and the night of a tropical storm warning when half the city is in chaos.
What Emergency Locksmith Calls in Stuart Actually Cost
A standard residential lockout in Stuart runs $65-$125 for most jobs. Car lockouts typically land in the $75-$135 range depending on the vehicle. After-hours calls between 10 PM and 6 AM carry a service charge that usually adds $25-$45 to the base rate. That's the real number, not the $15 bait-and-switch you see advertised by out-of-area companies who then invent "special lock fees" once they're standing at your door.
More involved jobs cost more. A broken key extraction from a deadbolt is $100-$175. A lock that needs full replacement on the spot, because it's been damaged in a break-in or it simply failed, runs $150-$280 depending on the hardware you choose. We'll quote you the price before we touch anything. If you don't like the number, you're not obligated to proceed.
Here's a quick breakdown of what common emergency calls cost in Stuart:
| Service | Typical Cost Range | After-Hours Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Residential lockout | $65 - $125 | +$25-$45 |
| Car lockout | $75 - $135 | +$25-$45 |
| Broken key extraction | $100 - $175 | +$25-$45 |
| Emergency lock change | $150 - $280 | +$25-$45 |
| Break-in repair | $175 - $350 | +$25-$45 |
What Happens On-Site: Step by Step
A lot of people have never called a locksmith before and genuinely don't know what to expect once the van pulls up. Fair enough. Here's exactly how a Stuart Locksmiths emergency call goes from start to finish.
Step 1: Verification. Our technician will ask for a photo ID and proof of residence or vehicle ownership before working on any lock. This isn't bureaucratic nonsense, it's the only thing standing between a legitimate locksmith and someone using us to break into a house that isn't theirs. Any locksmith who skips this step should make you nervous.
Step 2: Assessment. We look at the lock before quoting or touching it. A Kwikset that just needs picking is a different job than a Medeco that's been partially drilled by a previous locksmith who gave up. What we see determines the final price, and we tell you that price right there.
Step 3: The work itself. Residential lockouts take 3-18 minutes depending on the lock. Car lockouts on modern vehicles with complex door profiles can take up to 25 minutes without damaging anything. We're not rushing. A rushed locksmith either destroys your lock or scratches your door.
Step 4: Security check. After you're back inside, we'll take 60 seconds to tell you if the lock that just failed you is worth keeping. A lot of the locks we open during emergency calls are builder-grade hardware that wouldn't slow down a determined intruder anyway. That's not a sales pitch, that's a professional opinion. You can take it or leave it. For homes where the lock failed due to age or damage, a Door Lock Repair or full replacement is worth discussing before we leave.
How to Spot a Locksmith Scam in Stuart (and Why It Matters Here)
Stuart and the surrounding Treasure Coast area get hit hard by national locksmith scam operations. These companies bid on Google search ads for "emergency locksmith Stuart FL," quote you $19 over the phone, then show up and invent reasons the job costs $300-$600 once they've got you cornered at midnight. The Florida Attorney General's office has documented this pattern extensively.
Real warning signs: no physical address in Martin County, no Florida locksmith license number visible, refuses to give a written estimate before starting, drills the lock immediately instead of trying non-destructive entry first. Drilling is sometimes necessary, but it should never be the first move on a standard pin tumbler lock.
Stuart Locksmiths is a locally operated business based in Stuart. Our technicians are licensed under Florida's locksmith licensing law (Chapter 489 Part II, Florida Statutes). We can tell you our license number on the phone before we even get in the truck. That should be a baseline expectation from any locksmith you call, here or in Port St. Lucie, Hobe Sound, or anywhere else in the region.
If you've already been through a break-in and need urgent help securing your home, our Break-In & Burglary Repair service handles emergency board-up and lock replacement the same day.
After the Emergency: What You Should Do Next
Getting back inside your home or car is step one. But a lot of people who call us during an emergency discover that the lock that failed them was already on borrowed time. A lock that jammed in Florida's August humidity or popped open too easily during a lockout attempt probably wasn't doing much for your security to begin with.
Two things worth doing in the 24-48 hours after an emergency call. First, ask yourself whether you had a spare key anywhere. If not, get one made. Second, take a serious look at the lock itself. Deadbolts that are single-cylinder with a thin strike plate and two short screws are common targets in Martin County burglaries. A proper Residential Lockout call is a good reminder to upgrade before you need us back for something worse.
We serve the full Treasure Coast corridor including Jupiter, Tequesta, Sewalls Point, and Indiantown. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, call us. The answer is almost certainly yes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does an emergency locksmith get to Stuart FL?
Stuart Locksmiths typically arrives in 20-35 minutes for emergency calls within Stuart city limits. Outlying areas of Martin County may see response times of 35-50 minutes depending on technician location and traffic conditions.
What does an emergency locksmith call cost in Stuart?
Most residential lockouts run $65-$125. Car lockouts are $75-$135. After-hours calls between 10 PM and 6 AM add a $25-$45 surcharge. We quote the final price before starting any work.
Is Stuart Locksmiths available at 3 AM or on holidays?
Yes. We operate 24/7, 365 days a year. That includes major holidays, weekends, and nights. After-hours rates apply between 10 PM and 6 AM but the service availability doesn't change.
Will the locksmith damage my door or lock to get me back in?
Not intentionally. Most residential locks can be opened with non-destructive methods in under 18 minutes. If a lock is damaged, seized, or previously tampered with, destructive entry may be necessary, but we'll tell you that before we start and explain why.
Do I need to prove I live there or own the car?
Yes. Our technicians ask for a photo ID and proof of address or vehicle ownership before starting any job. This is standard practice for any licensed, reputable locksmith in Florida and protects both you and us.
Can an emergency locksmith help if my lock was damaged in a break-in?
Absolutely. Broken door frames, damaged deadbolts, and compromised strike plates are all common after a burglary. We can replace the lock on the spot during the same emergency call. We also offer same-day board-up referrals for door frame damage that needs structural repair.
My key broke off inside the lock. Is that an emergency locksmith job?
Yes. Broken key extraction runs $100-$175 in most cases. A broken key fragment left inside a lock cylinder will prevent any key from working and can damage the lock further the longer it sits. We carry extraction tools on every service truck.
How do I know if the locksmith I'm calling is legit and not a scam?
Ask for a Florida locksmith license number before they show up. Ask for a written quote over the phone with a clear disclosure that pricing may adjust after on-site assessment. If they can't give you those two things, hang up and call someone else.
Does Stuart Locksmiths cover areas outside of Stuart?
Yes. We cover Palm City, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, Hobe Sound, Sewalls Point, Jupiter, Tequesta, and Indiantown, plus surrounding unincorporated Martin County areas. Call us and we'll confirm your location is covered before you wait for anyone else.
What if my car has a smart key or push-button start? Can you still help?
Yes, but the job is more involved. Smart key vehicles require transponder programming or key fob replacement in addition to gaining entry. We handle those jobs, though they take longer and cost more than a traditional car lockout. Plan for $150-$300 on smart key vehicles.
My landlord changed the locks and won't let me in. Is that something you handle?
This is a legal situation first. In Florida, a landlord cannot lock you out without a court order under Florida Statute 83.67. We can help you regain access to your own unit, but you should also contact Martin County code enforcement or an attorney, because that type of self-help eviction is illegal.
After an emergency lockout, should I rekey or replace the lock?
It depends on the condition of the lock and why you were locked out. If you lost a key, rekeying is usually sufficient and costs $45-$85. If the lock was damaged, worn out, or is a low-quality builder-grade unit, replacement makes more sense. Our technician will give you an honest read on the spot.
Locked out right now or just want a number saved before something goes wrong? Call Stuart Locksmiths at (772) 362-5731. We pick up every call, 24 hours a day, and we'll tell you exactly how far away our nearest technician is before you hang up.