Locksmith Amsterdam
Everything went just as planned (thank god because have you heard about the travel chaos this past summer?) Plane? On time. Passports? Check. Baggage? Not overweight (phew!) Connecting flight? On time. We get into our Airbnb, which happens to be a 17th Century Canal House and is breathtaking. Our bedroom window directly overlooks the unique canal and it could not be perfect. We go out to explore the city and enjoy a beautiful meal of Draadjesvlees. Our ideal vacation was off to a great start!
..Upon walking back to our apartment, I quickly realize that the apartment keys are lost. Absolutely nowhere to be found. I checked my purse and extra shopping bag we had with us. I made sure to take all my travel essentials, but forgot to take the apartment key.
We even walked back to the restaurant we dined at. The keys were really gone. I suppose as the saying goes, “When everything is going right, something else is going wrong. There cannot be true perfection all at once.”
Slowly comprehending the fact that it is 11PM and way too late to contact our apartment host, I decide to search for a locksmith near me in hopes someone will still be working at this hour to fix our awful situation. I first came across a guide on how to try and pick a lock open yourself. So, we tried that. The first tip was to try using a credit card. Well, at least we still had that with us!
Locked Out - The DIY Way
“The method for opening the doorknob by picking the lock varies depending on the type of door and type of lock. You can try using a debit/credit card. The most effective and versatile way to open the common latch lock is with a laminated card. Use the card to open the door only if you think your door has a spring latch; otherwise, avoid doing so. If your door handle does not unlock with the card, it locks the door, the garage has more than one door, or, maybe you can enter through one of them. If it does, however, have a deadbolt lock, cards cannot be used to access it.”
…We tried that and then realized the lock is infact a deadbolt so that was not going to work. Also, we truly had no idea what we were doing.
Time to Contact the Professionals - 24/7/365 locksmiths
After a quick Google search for a locksmith company, I found only two companies that were still open at this late hour. I called the first one, which I will not mention, and I was told the wait will be over two hours and that the charge will be almost €400! I decided to call the other company that was online and that is Locksmith Amsterdam. Therefore, I called them in hopes they would pick up the phone and could actually help me regain access into the apartment without also breaking my wallet. With no hesitation, the receptionist was very kind and understanding and assured me that an Locksmith Amsterdam professional will be at our location in less than 20 minutes. Boy, was I relieved to hear that! Noah, our locksmith technician, came to the rescue in literally 15 minutes and arrived in a van that was labeled “Locksmith Amsterdam”.
His shirt also was marked by their company name so we felt really safe. He unlocked the apartment door with zero damage to the lock (I was really worried about this as obviously this is a rental). The service was quick and their pricing was very fair for this time of the night. Unlike the other company I spoke with over the phone, Locksmith Amsterdam showed up on time (early actually) and didn’t charge an arm and leg for the service.
Unlocking the Door
I’d also like to note that while Noah (our locksmith) was unlocking the apartment door, he did mention they also unlock cars and make keys! He also said that there are many locksmiths that are unlicensed and try to break the locks to charge more. Honestly, this was my first time ever dealing with a locksmith so funny enough we both didn’t know a single about the industry before this night.
I’m very glad Locksmith Amsterdam was open for the night and came to our rescue as they are backed by hundreds of reviews on Google and are certified locksmiths. It’s definitely a stressful situation so it helps more than anything to work with honest professionals such as Locksmith Amsterdam.
If you ever find yourself locked out of your apartment while on vacation, I highly recommend you save Locksmith Amsterdam’s phone number into your phone. If the keys got locked in the apartment or lost in a hotel room, these local Locksmith Amsterdam professionals will help you without damaging the property.
I feel comfortable recommending them because of their professionalism, transparency, and the fair pricing. Overall, the experience was great and while I thought this put a dent into our first night of the trip, it actually makes for a really good story now.
Tips
If you are locked out of your apartment like we were, here are some quick tips that may help you, straight from Locksmith Amsterdam. If you accidentally lock yourself out of the house, you can take three options right away:
- You can get in touch with your family, friends, or the property owner. They could own extra keys to the property. If you have forgotten your phone inside, you can ask the neighbors for assistance. For a second key, the proprietor or management company may charge you more.
- You can enlist the assistance of your neighbors. They could lend you some tools or give you access to their phones. The neighbors may be able to assist you by providing a ladder, screwdriver, or other tools. They can also assist by offering you a paperclip or wire coat hanger that you can attempt to use in order to unlock the lock.
- To enter the house, you can check all of the doors, windows, and garages. It is a wise approach to look out for oneself, particularly if you live alone and/or you lack a landlord/management company. It is preferable to inspect the house's exterior perimeters.
If you have a window in your house that is partially open, consider taking the screen off and opening the window. If you have your car keys, try using a remote to open your garage if you have one.
You will not have additional options, such as windows or backdoors, if you are living in a townhouse. You can enter it if the weather is nice and you left the side or rear door open; otherwise, there is no such choice.
What Should I Do If My Keys Are Locked In The House?
Locking systems on various doors differ from one another. Older house locks are simpler to open than contemporary ones, which can be a little challenging. However, if you lock the keys inside the house, you can employ the following more advanced skill techniques:
Use a bump key, first. They have created keys that you can use to open door lock systems using pins. The ridges above the keys in these spring-type door lock systems pop open when pressed over the matching pins. Bump keys, which are single-sided, are useful for house locks.
A butter knife can be put to use as an improvised door lock pick.
You can make a lockpick out of several paper clips.
Professional lock pick tools are available, but you must learn how to utilize them.
You can use bobby pins to pick your door lock.
However, try breaking into your own home if there is an emergency, such as a baby wailing inside, something cooking on the stove, or there is an injury. You can slam any outward-facing window or kick the door.
Final Thoughts
The cost of calling a locksmith to open a door will vary depending on where you live and the services they provide. You can use the following strategies to avert lockouts in the future while still staying calm.
In case of an emergency, give a spare key to a neighbor, relative, or close friend. As a backup plan, you can bury a key close to your property. You can use a tire or a tree to nail a key.
A key to your home can also be buried inside the air conditioner. To avoid such occurrences, you can install a keyless lock on your home's doors. Such locks can be opened using door codes, finger codes, or mobile phone technologies.
In addition to these suggestions, it is best to ensure that you have all of your valuables, including your keys and other items, with you when you leave the house.
If you are at a loss for what to do, call Locksmith Amsterdam as they are true locksmith professionals and know how to get the job done properly, quickly, and professionally.