Emergency Locksmith · Middle Tennessee
Lock Repair After a Break-In
After a break-in, call the police first, then Instant Locksmith TN to secure your home or business. We repair or replace damaged locks, reinforce kicked-in strike plates, and rekey so any stolen keys stop working, across Middle Tennessee.
- Secure the door the same visit when possible
- Rekey if keys were taken
- Price confirmed before work
Step one: police, then the locks
Instant Locksmith TN provides break-in lock repair for homes and businesses throughout Middle Tennessee. Before we touch anything, the police need to respond and document the scene.
A police report is usually needed for insurance claims, and officers may want to examine the door, lock and frame for tool marks or fingerprints. Ask the officer when it's okay to begin repairs, and note the report number.
Don't disturb the evidence
- Avoid touching the damaged door, lock, window or frame until police are done.
- Photograph everything from several angles before cleanup or repair, including the outside of the entry point.
- Keep broken lock parts and strike plates; your insurer may want them.
- Make a list of missing items, and note whether any keys, garage remotes or key fobs were taken.
Temporary securing tonight
A kicked door usually fails at the frame: the strike plate tears out of soft wood and the jamb splits. The lock itself may still work.
When the frame is too damaged for a permanent fix on the spot, we focus on getting the door closed and lockable for the night with the parts available, then schedule permanent repair. Severely split jambs or broken doors may need a carpenter or door installer; we'll tell you honestly what needs to happen.
Rekey
If keys were taken, or you can't account for all copies, rekeying makes every old key useless while keeping undamaged hardware.
Replace
Drilled, snapped or pried locks need replacement. It's a good moment to step up to a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt.
Reinforce
A heavy-duty strike plate with long screws anchoring into the wall framing behind the jamb resists kicks far better than short trim screws.
Strike plate reinforcement
Many doors use a small strike plate held by screws barely an inch long, set only into the thin door jamb. One kick splits the wood. A reinforced strike uses longer screws that reach the stud framing behind the jamb, often with a larger plate or box strike.
We can also check the hinge side, since hinge screws that only grip the jamb are another weak point. For a broader plan, see home security lock upgrades, or for storefronts, storefront lock repair.
- Police first. Call 911 or the non-emergency line as appropriate, and wait for clearance.
- Order or call us. Tell us which doors were hit, what's damaged, and whether keys were stolen.
- Price confirmed. We confirm pricing before work, and explain any change if the damage is different from what was described.
- Secure, rekey, reinforce. We restore locking, rekey or replace as needed, and reinforce the strike where the frame allows.
What does break-in lock repair cost?
Standard price: quoted before dispatch. Online orders pay the $15–$25 service call at checkout as the deposit: $15 inside city limits, $25 outside. It is a flat fee added to the service price, and the time-of-day multipliers never apply to it. Details are in our Payment & Deposit Policy.
Cost depends on the number of doors, whether locks are rekeyed or replaced, the reinforcement hardware used, and how much frame damage is involved.
- Before 8 PM: standard
- After 8 PM: 1.5×
- Federal holidays: 2×
- Federal holiday after 8 PM: 3×
Multipliers apply to the standard service price only; the $15 (inside city limits) or $25 (outside city limits) service call stays flat at any hour. Holidays are U.S. federal holidays.
Ask us for an itemized description of the work for your insurance claim.
Your price is confirmed before any work begins. If the job turns out different from what was described, we explain the change and get your approval first. See full pricing and rate details.
Break-In Lock Repair FAQ
How soon after a break-in should I change my locks?
As soon as police clear the scene, especially if keys, a garage remote or anything with your address and keys may have been taken. Until then, avoid touching the damaged entry point.
The burglars didn't take keys. Do I still need to rekey?
If no keys are missing and the lock works, rekeying may not be necessary. Focus on repairing or reinforcing the entry point. If you're unsure whether spare keys were inside, rekeying is inexpensive peace of mind.
Will insurance cover lock repair after a burglary?
Many policies cover damage from a break-in, but coverage varies. Check your policy and talk to your insurer. Keep the police report number, photos, and our description of the work.
Can you fix my door frame too?
We handle locks, strike plates and reinforcement hardware, which often solves a kicked-in door. A badly split jamb or a broken door slab may need a carpenter or door installer.
My door was kicked in but the lock works. What failed?
Usually the strike plate and the jamb behind it. The bolt stayed locked but tore through the wood. A reinforced strike anchored into the wall framing addresses that weakness.
Can you help a business after a break-in?
Yes. We repair and rekey commercial locks, and for storefront doors we work on hardware such as Adams Rite-style deadlatches and exit devices. Tell us the door type when ordering.
Secure your property after a break-in
Once police clear the scene, order online or call. We'll confirm the price before any work begins.
