Locked Out of Your Business in Austin? We’ll Get You Operating Again
You arrive to open your business. You reach for your keys. They’re not in your pocket. Not in your bag. Not in the car. You’re locked out of your own business - and customers are arriving, employees are waiting, or you have deliveries coming.
Maybe you lost your keys. Maybe you left them inside yesterday. Maybe an employee who was supposed to open didn’t show up and has the only set. Maybe you just moved in and the landlord hasn’t given you keys yet.
Every minute locked out is revenue lost and customers frustrated.
South Austin Locksmith provides professional 24/7 emergency commercial lockout service throughout Greater Austin. We’ll unlock your business door quickly without damage and get you back to serving customers.
Call (512) 354-0025 now for immediate dispatch.
Why Business Lockouts Cost More Than Time
Direct Revenue Loss
- Customers arriving to locked doors (lost sales)
- Employees waiting outside (paying wages for non-productive time)
- Missed deliveries requiring redelivery fees
- Appointments cancelled (patient/client frustration)
Reputation Impact
- Customers posting on social media about closed business
- Negative Google reviews mentioning “showed up, place was closed”
- Lost customer trust and loyalty
- Competitors gaining your business during lockout
Operational Disruption
- Inventory access blocked (restaurants can’t prep food)
- Cash drawer locked inside (can’t make change)
- Equipment needed for jobs inaccessible
- Files and documents needed for client meetings unavailable
Average cost of 2-hour commercial lockout: $500-$2,000 in lost revenue + reputational damage Cost of professional locksmith: $125-$250
The math is simple: Call a locksmith immediately.
Common Business Lockout Scenarios
Opening Day Lockouts
You arrive to open and discover:
- Lost keys overnight
- Left keys in building last night
- Only employee with key called in sick
- Lock jammed or frozen (winter mornings)
- Key breaks off in lock
- New business and contractor didn’t give you all keys
Impact: Customers arriving in 15-30 minutes. Revenue loss starts immediately.
Solution: Call (512) 354-0025 for priority response. We’ll have you open before customers arrive in most cases.
After-Hours Lockouts
You’re closing up and realize:
- Keys are inside building
- Deadbolt won’t lock with key
- Lost keys during day, just discovering now
- Key doesn’t work in lock anymore
Less urgent than opening lockout but still important for security. Can’t leave business unlocked overnight.
Employee Key Issues
- Employee with opening key quit suddenly (didn’t return key)
- Employee called in sick, has only set of keys
- Employee lost keys during shift
- New employee wasn’t given key yet
Landlord/Property Issues
- New tenant, landlord slow to provide keys
- Moved into new commercial space, locks not changed from previous tenant
- Property manager unavailable, has only spare key
- Landlord changed locks without notice
Our Commercial Lockout Service Process
1. Emergency Call - Immediate Response
When you call (512) 354-0025), we ask:
- Business name and address
- Nature of lockout (lost keys, keys inside, broken lock)
- How urgent (customers waiting? deliveries coming?)
- Type of business (affects verification process)
- Lock type if known (standard vs. high-security)
We provide upfront price quote and estimated arrival time.
2. Priority Dispatch - 30 Minute Average
Commercial lockouts get priority over residential:
- Our closest tech with commercial experience is dispatched
- Fully equipped mobile unit with commercial lock tools
- High-security lock picks and bypass tools
- Commercial lock cylinders for replacement if needed
Response times:
- Priority/Emergency (customers waiting): 15-30 minutes
- Standard (opening before customers): 25-40 minutes
- After-hours (closing lockout): 30-45 minutes
3. Verification of Authority
Before unlocking, we verify you own or manage the business:
Acceptable verification:
- Business license with matching address
- Lease agreement showing you as tenant
- Property deed (for property owners)
- Driver’s license + employee ID + business card
- Utility bills in business name
- Tax ID documentation
For employees: We may call business owner for authorization For property managers: We need owner authorization
We take commercial security seriously - better to delay 5 minutes for verification than unlock for unauthorized person.
4. Professional Entry
Our technician unlocks using appropriate method:
Lock Picking (90% of commercial lockouts):
- Standard commercial deadbolts: 15-25 minutes
- High-security locks: 30-60 minutes
- Glass door locks: 10-20 minutes
- Panic bar doors: 15-30 minutes
Lock Drilling (if picking isn’t possible):
- Last resort for broken or unpickable locks
- Lock cylinder drilled and replaced on-site
- You’re inside in 30-40 minutes with new lock
Alternative Entry (rare):
- Check for unlocked windows or back doors
- Coordinate with building management/landlord
- Contact property owner for spare key location
5. Optional Services While On-Site
After unlocking, we can immediately:
Rekey locks ($35-$85 per lock):
- Lost keys won’t work anymore
- Issue new keys only to authorized people
- Prevents future security concerns
Replace locks ($150-$300 per lock):
- Upgrade to higher security
- Replace old/worn locks
- Install panic bars or commercial hardware
Create spare keys ($5-$15 per key):
- Prevent future lockouts
- Give keys to multiple employees
- Keep spare in secure location
Most business owners choose rekeying during lockout service - prevents security issues from lost/stolen keys.
Types of Commercial Properties We Service
Retail Stores & Shops
- Glass storefronts with AL-style locks
- Roll-down security gates
- Back room and office locks
- Display cases and storage
Common issue: Glass door locks that won’t turn. We can pick or replace without breaking glass.
Restaurants & Food Service
- Front entrance locks
- Walk-in freezer/cooler locks (emergency!)
- Back door and alley access
- Manager’s office
Priority service for walk-in freezer lockouts - food spoilage costs thousands.
Medical & Dental Offices
- HIPAA-compliant entry procedures
- Multiple door lockouts (suite entry + individual offices)
- Drug storage cabinets (DEA compliance)
- Records rooms
Verification is strict for medical offices - patient privacy is paramount.
Office Buildings & Suites
- Suite entrance doors
- Individual office doors
- Conference rooms
- File cabinets and storage
Often coordinated with building management - we work with on-site managers regularly.
Warehouses & Industrial
- Loading dock doors
- Office entrance in warehouse
- Equipment storage
- High-security perimeter doors
Heavy-duty commercial locks common - we’re equipped for industrial security hardware.
Property Management Companies
- Multiple properties across Austin
- Tenant lockout assistance
- Common area access
- Emergency after-hours service
We work with many property managers - ask about commercial accounts and priority service agreements.
After-Hours & Emergency Business Lockout Service
Business lockouts happen outside business hours:
Late Night/Early Morning (10 PM - 6 AM)
Scenarios:
- Night shift worker locked out
- 24-hour business needs access (gym, convenience store)
- Restaurant closing late, keys locked inside
Service: $175-$250 Response: 35-50 minutes (fewer techs on call)
Weekends (Saturday/Sunday)
Scenarios:
- Weekend opening (retail, restaurant)
- Property manager emergency
- Tenant lockout
Service: $150-$225 Response: 30-45 minutes
Holidays (Major Holidays)
Scenarios:
- Business open on holiday needs access
- Property emergency during holiday
Service: $200-$275 Response: 40-60 minutes
High-Security Commercial Locks
Many businesses have high-security lock systems:
Medeco
- Patented key design (can’t duplicate at hardware store)
- Drill-resistant cylinders
- Used in banks, government, medical facilities
We can pick Medeco locks - takes 40-60 minutes, requires specialized tools.
Mul-T-Lock
- Multiple security pins
- Drill and pick resistant
- Common in jewelry stores, pharmacies
We service Mul-T-Lock systems regularly.
Schlage Primus
- Sidebar mechanism
- Restricted keyways
- Popular in commercial buildings
We’re authorized Schlage service providers.
ASSA
- European high-security standard
- Very difficult to pick
- Used in government and secure facilities
We can drill and replace ASSA locks if picking isn’t feasible.
High-security lockout service: $175-$300 depending on lock type and complexity.
Preventing Future Business Lockouts
Strategy 1: Multiple Key Sets
Don’t rely on one person having the only key:
- Give keys to 2-3 trusted managers/employees
- Keep spare set in secure off-site location
- Property manager should have spare
- Give copy to business partner or owner
Label keys clearly but not with business name/address (security risk if lost).
Strategy 2: Hide-a-Key for Businesses
Commercial-grade options:
- Wall-mounted combination lockbox (stronger than residential)
- Buried lockbox in secure location on property
- Fake security camera with key storage inside
- Coordinated spare key with neighboring business
Don’t use obvious locations - under mat, above door frame, in planter.
Strategy 3: Access Control Systems
Eliminate keys entirely:
- Keypad entry ($300-$800 installed)
- Card reader access control ($500-$2,000 installed)
- Biometric entry for high-security ($1,000-$3,000)
- Smart locks with audit trail ($400-$1,200)
Benefits:
- Can’t be locked out (keypad code always works)
- Can revoke access instantly (fired employee)
- Know who enters and when (audit trail)
- No rekeying costs ever
We install commercial access control systems - ask during lockout service.
Strategy 4: Master Key Systems
One key opens all your locks:
- Master key for owners/managers
- Sub-master keys for department managers
- Individual keys for employees (only their area)
- Grand master for property manager
Cost: $300-$1,500 depending on complexity Benefit: Fewer keys to track, better access control, prevent lockouts
What Your Lockout Service Includes
Entry service includes:
- Travel to your location
- Professional lock picking (non-destructive)
- Door unlocking (one entry door)
- Basic security consultation
- Recommendation for future prevention
Additional services available:
- Lock rekeying ($35-$85 per lock)
- Spare key cutting ($5-$15 per key)
- Lock replacement ($150-$300 per lock)
- Master key system setup ($300-$1,500)
- High-security lock installation ($200-$500 per lock)
We carry commercial inventory - can complete most services on-site immediately.
Service Area - Greater Austin Commercial
We serve all Austin-area businesses:
South Austin (78704, 78745): 20-30 minutes Downtown Austin (78701, 78702): 25-35 minutes North Austin (78753, 78758): 30-45 minutes East Austin (78721, 78722): 25-35 minutes West Austin (78733, 78746): 30-45 minutes
Surrounding cities: Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Georgetown - 35-60 minutes
We service all business types: Retail, restaurants, offices, medical facilities, warehouses, industrial, property management.
Locked Out of Your Business? Call Now
Stop losing revenue. Stop frustrating customers. Stop wasting employee time.
Call South Austin Locksmith at (512) 354-0025 for immediate business lockout service:
- Priority response for commercial lockouts
- 30-minute average arrival in South Austin
- 24/7/365 emergency availability
- Non-destructive professional entry
- Licensed, insured, bonded technicians
- Upfront pricing, no hidden fees
- Same-visit rekeying and key service
- Commercial access control installation
Get your business unlocked and operating again. Call now: (512) 354-0025