Door slammed shut – what to do? The immediate checklist
First of all: take a breath. A slammed door is annoying, but almost always quick to open non-destructively – usually within minutes. As a rule, it only gets expensive through haste: rushed calls to bait-price providers or forcing the door yourself.
Check this first
- Spare key: do family, partner, neighbors or the caretaker have a second key? A phone call is the cheapest door opening.
- Landlord or property management: many have emergency numbers and sometimes master keys.
- Other entrances: is a window tilted or a terrace door open? Careful – do not take risks, no climbing.
- Wait for flatmates: is someone coming home soon? An hour in a café is cheaper than any emergency service.
What you should not do
- Do not pry with a card, wire or tools: damage to door or lock makes the opening more expensive in the end.
- Do not call the first ad with "door opening from 15 €" – bait prices often hide three-digit invoices.
- Do not agree to drilling as long as no non-destructive opening has been attempted. A slammed door practically never needs to be drilled.
Booking a locksmith – the right way
If no spare key is reachable, only a professional can help. Describe the situation precisely (slammed or locked? key broken?) and ask for a binding total price including travel and surcharges before anyone sets off.
A simple door opening typically costs 59 to 110 € during the day in Germany, 140 to 220 CHF in Switzerland. Surcharges apply at night and on weekends. You can find details in our cost guide.
Prepare for next time
- Leave a spare key with a trusted person nearby – not under the doormat.
- Save the number of a verified locksmith before the emergency happens.
- If it happens often: a door latch guard or switching to a cylinder with an emergency function can help.
Frequently asked questions about slammed doors
How long does opening a slammed door take?
For a merely slammed door, a professional non-destructive opening usually takes a few minutes. Most time is spent on travel – which is why a local provider has the advantage.
What if the door is locked?
A locked door is more complex and more expensive because the bolt has to be overcome. Expect 120 to 210 € during the day in Germany. Make sure to state the door condition correctly in your request so the offer is accurate.
Does the landlord pay in a rented flat?
If you locked yourself out (slammed door), the tenant usually pays. The landlord is typically only responsible if the lock is defective through no fault of yours. Keep the invoice in any case.
Locked out right now?
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