Why You Should Always Call a Locksmith to Work on Your Safe
Safes are designed to be secure, complex, and tamper-resistant. That’s great for protecting your valuables—but not so great when something goes wrong. Whether you’ve lost the combination, the lock has failed, or you’re dealing with a malfunctioning keypad, one thing is clear: opening or repairing a safe is not a DIY job.
Here are several key reasons why a trained locksmith should be your first call when your safe needs attention—not a handyman, contractor, or friend with a drill.
1. Specialized Training and Tools
Safes use different locking mechanisms than regular doors, including combination locks, electronic keypads, relockers, time-delay locks, and more. Locksmiths who work on safes receive specific training and certifications to understand these mechanisms. They also use precision tools designed for safe manipulation, decoding, or minimal-damage drilling.
A general contractor might get the safe open—but at the cost of destroying it.
2. Minimal Damage Methods
Locksmiths aim to preserve the integrity of your safe, whether you plan to keep using it or just want the contents recovered. In many cases, they can open a safe without drilling at all. And if drilling is necessary, they know how to do it with minimal cosmetic or structural impact, often allowing for full repair and reuse of the safe afterward.
3. Legal and Ethical Knowledge
A certified locksmith will verify ownership before attempting to open a safe, helping protect against unauthorized access or fraud. This is a critical step that others may overlook—and one that protects you legally.
4. Experience with All Safe Types
From gun safes and fireproof document safes to high-security commercial models and antique vaults, locksmiths have experience with a wide range of safe types and brands. They understand manufacturer-specific quirks and common failure points, which helps them resolve problems faster and more effectively.
5. Rekeying and Repair After Opening
Once the safe is opened, a locksmith can reset the combination, repair the lock, or install a new locking mechanism if needed. Others may be able to get the door open, but leave you with a compromised or nonfunctional safe.
6. You’re Likely to Save Money
It might seem cheaper to hire someone without safe experience—or to try opening it yourself—but if something goes wrong, you could:
Permanently damage the safe
Lose access to your valuables
Void your warranty
Pay more later for repairs or replacement
Locksmiths fix these problems every day. Getting it done right the first time often costs less than correcting a bad attempt.
Trust Payson Lock & Key for Safe Opening and Repair
At Payson Lock & Key, we have over 25 years of experience opening and servicing safes of all types. We use professional-grade tools, advanced techniques, and a customer-first mindset to protect both your property and your peace of mind.
If your safe won’t open—or you just want to change the combination—don’t take chances. Call the pros.
📞 Reach out today and let us help you protect what matters.
