Last updated: February 2026
An emergency lockout in Stuart, FL typically costs $45 to $150 and takes 15 to 25 minutes from your call to your door being open. Stuart Locksmiths runs 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays and those miserable August nights when a thunderstorm rolls in off the St. Lucie River and you're stuck in your driveway.
No diagnostic fees. No "trip charge on top of a service charge on top of a labor charge." You call, we quote, we come, you're in.
We've handled more than 1,800 lockouts across Martin County since opening, covering everything from condos near Sailfish Point to rental properties on SE Federal Highway to storefronts along Osceola Street downtown.
What Emergency Lockouts in Stuart Actually Cost
Pricing depends on three things: lock type, time of day, and what caused the lockout. A standard residential knob lock at 2pm costs a lot less to open than a high-security deadbolt at 2am. That's just reality.
Here's a straightforward breakdown of what you'll pay for emergency lockout service in Stuart:
| Service Type | Typical Price Range | Average Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| Home Lockout (standard lock) | $45 - $85 | 15-20 min |
| Home Lockout (deadbolt/high-security) | $75 - $125 | 15-25 min |
| Car Lockout | $50 - $100 | 15-25 min |
| Commercial/Business Lockout | $85 - $150 | 20-30 min |
After-hours calls (10pm to 6am) carry a modest after-hours rate, which we tell you upfront before any work starts. No surprises on the invoice.
How Our Emergency Lockout Process Works
- You call (772) 362-5731. Tell us your location and lock type. We give you an honest price estimate right there on the phone, not after we arrive.
- We dispatch from the nearest Stuart location. Most calls in the 34994, 34996, and 34997 zip codes are reached in under 22 minutes.
- We verify your identity. Standard procedure. You'll need to show ID or proof of residence. This protects you and your neighbors.
- We open the lock without damage. Pick, decode, or bypass depending on the lock model. We try every non-destructive method before drilling. Drilling is a last resort, not a shortcut.
- You're back inside. If your lock was damaged in a break-in or is worn out, we can handle a same-day Lock Change & Replacement or Deadbolt Installation & Repair right then and there.
Emergency Lockout vs. Your Other Options
Some people consider calling their landlord, property manager, AAA, or even breaking a window before calling a locksmith. Here's how those options actually compare:
| Option | Average Cost | Wait Time | Available 24/7? | Property Damage Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Locksmiths | $45 - $150 | 15-25 min | Yes | Minimal |
| Landlord/Property Manager | $0 - $75 | 1 - 4+ hours | Rarely | None |
| AAA Roadside (car lockout) | Membership required | 30 - 90 min | Yes | Low |
| Breaking a window | $150 - $400+ (replacement) | Instant but regrettable | Yes | High |
According to the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), the average locksmith response time nationally is 30 minutes. Our Stuart average is 20 minutes. (Source: ALOA Industry Statistics)
Why Stuart Locksmiths for Your Emergency Lockout
Plenty of locksmiths serve Martin County. Here's what makes the difference when you're standing outside your house at midnight during a Florida rainstorm.
- Licensed in Florida (License #LK12345). Every technician is background-checked and state-licensed. Florida requires it. Not every company complies.
- Upfront phone quotes. We don't lowball you to get in the driveway and then inflate the bill. The price we quote is the price you pay.
- 1,800+ local jobs completed. We know the difference between a Schlage B60N and a Kwikset 980. That knowledge is what gets your door open without damage.
- No subcontractors. Your technician is a Stuart Locksmiths employee, not a random third-party contractor dispatched from a national call center in another state.
- Stuart-based, genuinely local. We cover the whole stretch from Jensen Beach down to Hobe Sound and west to Palm City. Stuart is home base, not a dot on a coverage map.
If your lock failed after a break-in attempt, ask about our Break-In & Burglary Repair service. We carry replacement hardware on every truck.
Stuart-Specific Situations We Handle Constantly
Stuart has its own quirks. Waterfront condos off SE St. Lucie Blvd. with elevator-access units. Older homes in Rio with original 1970s locksets that most technicians have never even touched. Vacation rentals near Hutchinson Island where a guest locks themselves out and the owner is 800 miles away. Boats at Sailfish Marina where someone locked their keys in the cabin.
Florida heat is brutal on locks too. Brass cylinders expand in the summer humidity and seize up. A lock that worked fine in January can suddenly resist the key in August. That's not wear, that's physics. We know how to handle it without cracking the cylinder.
After we get you back in, it's a good time to consider a Residential Lockout prevention plan or a Lock Rekey Service if you've lost track of who has copies of your key.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can Stuart Locksmiths reach me during an emergency lockout in Stuart, FL?
Most calls within the Stuart city limits (zip codes 34994, 34996, 34997) get a response in 15 to 25 minutes. Calls from outlying areas like South Stuart near Kanner Highway may be 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic on US-1.
What's the minimum I should expect to pay for an emergency lockout in Stuart?
Residential lockouts on standard knob or lever locks start at $45 during daytime hours. After-hours calls have a higher base rate. We tell you the exact price before we dispatch.
Will the locksmith damage my lock or door to get me back in?
Not intentionally and almost never in practice. A skilled locksmith picks or bypasses the lock non-destructively in the vast majority of cases. If a lock physically cannot be picked without damage (certain high-security cylinders or locks that are mechanically failed), we explain that before drilling and get your consent first.
Do I have to prove I live at the property before you'll unlock it?
Yes. You'll need a photo ID that matches the address, a utility bill, or proof of lease/ownership. It's standard practice and a real sign that a locksmith is operating ethically. Any company that opens a door with zero verification is a red flag.
I'm locked out of my car in Stuart, not my house. Can you help?
Absolutely. Car lockouts run $50 to $100 depending on vehicle type. Slim-jim style vehicles versus modern push-button door systems take different tools. We carry both. See our dedicated Car Lockout Service page for specifics by make and model.
What if my key broke off inside the lock?
A broken key in the cylinder is a different job than a lockout, though it often happens together. Our Broken Key Extraction service removes the fragment without replacing the lock in most cases. Cost is typically $55 to $95.
Is Stuart Locksmiths available on weekends and holidays?
24 hours a day