Should a Locksmith Drill Your Lock? When It’s Necessary — and When It Isn’t
One of the most common questions we get isn’t during the job - it’s afterwards.
Someone calls or emails and asks, “Did my lock really need drilling?”
Usually, it’s because they were locked out, stressed, and didn't have much time to think in the moment. Once things calm down, they start replaying what happened and wondering whether there was another way.
As locksmiths, we understand why that question comes up so often. Drilling feels final. Once a lock has been drilled, there’s no going back, and replacement becomes unavoidable. So it’s a fair thing to question.
The honest answer is that drilling can be necessary - but it shouldn’t be the automatic first step.
What Drilling a Lock Actually Does
Drilling a lock is exactly what it sounds like. The cylinder is physically destroyed so the internal pins or mechanism can no longer hold the door shut. It guarantees access, which is why it’s sometimes used in difficult situations.
But it also guarantees that parts will need replacing afterwards. There’s no repairing a drilled cylinder. That’s why drilling nearly always leads to a higher bill - not because it’s complicated, but because you’re committing to new components.
For that reason alone, it’s not something most experienced locksmiths rush into.
When Drilling Is the Right Call
There are situations where drilling genuinely makes sense, and it’s important to be clear about that.
If a lock has already been damaged, tampered with, or forced, a non-destructive entry might not be possible. The same applies if the internal mechanism has failed in a way that won’t release, or if previous attempts to open the door have made things worse.
Sometimes, drilling is actually the quickest and least disruptive option available. In those cases, a professional locksmith should explain why it’s necessary and what will need replacing afterwards. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.
When Drilling Usually Isn’t Necessary
Where questions tend to arise is in straightforward residential lockouts.
If keys have been left inside the property, or the lock was working normally up until the door closed, there’s often a good chance it can be opened without destroying anything. Modern locksmithing relies far more on understanding lock behaviour than on force.
Many faults also sit higher up in the door than people realise. Gearbox issues, alignment problems, or worn components don’t always mean the cylinder itself needs to be sacrificed. In a lot of cases, parts can be removed, accessed, and refitted without replacing everything.
That approach takes more patience and experience, but it usually saves the customer money and avoids unnecessary work.
Why Some Locksmiths Default to Drilling
This is where the subject becomes uncomfortable, but it’s worth explaining clearly.
Drilling is certain. It works every time, and it doesn’t require the same level of diagnostic skills as non-destructive entry. For someone under time pressure - or without broad experience across different lock types - it can feel like the safest option.
In some business models, replacement is also more profitable than repair. That doesn’t mean drilling is always done with bad intent, but it does mean it shouldn’t be treated as routine.
From a professional point of view, drilling should feel like a considered decision, not a reflex.
What a Professional Locksmith Should Explain First
Even in an emergency, there are a few things you should expect to hear before any irreversible work starts.
A good locksmith should be able to explain:
- Whether non-destructive entry will be attempted first
- What the fallback options are if that doesn’t work
- Which parts might need replacing, and why
- How that affects cost overall
You don’t need a technical lecture, but you should understand the reasoning. If the explanation doesn’t make sense, it’s reasonable to ask questions before agreeing to proceed.
Skill Often Looks Like “Nothing Happened”
One of the odd things about locksmithing is that the best work often leaves no evidence behind. When a door is opened cleanly and the lock is saved, it can look almost too simple - which is why people sometimes don’t realise what’s been avoided.
From the customer’s side, it just looks like the door opened. From our side, it’s experience, judgement, and knowing when not to reach for the drill.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask
Drilling a lock isn’t wrong in itself. There are times when it’s the correct solution. But it should always be the result of a decision, not the starting point.
If you’re ever unsure, it’s okay to ask why a particular approach is being taken. A professional locksmith won’t be offended by that - they’ll expect it.
Understanding how these decisions are made won’t stop lockouts from happening, but it can help you feel more confident about the work being done on your home, and the bill that follows afterwards.