By Brie Greenhalgh | Updated Mar 28, 2023 10:31 AM
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Automatic garage doors have fast become a necessity in the modern world. Homeowners rely on them so much that it’s easy to forget that they eventually wear out and need replacement parts—until they suddenly won’t open. A broken garage door spring is the most common part that needs repair or replacement since it does the heavy lifting each time the door is used. A technician can perform a garage door spring repair for an average cost of $250, but the price could range between $150 and $350. The door size, type and number of springs, number of doors, location, and labor rates will determine the garage door spring replacement cost. Fortunately, a qualified professional can replace broken garage door springs and handle the problem safely; the homeowner will be back to driving into their garage in no time.
In most cases, if a garage door spring is broken, it will need to be totally replaced rather than repaired. When it’s time to ask about a garage spring replacement cost, the quote should include the cost of labor and materials for the kind of doors installed in the garage.
Garage doors are not simple to repair, which is why it’s essential to use a reliable company with several years of experience. Most companies will send two employees to do garage door repairs for safety reasons since garage doors are heavy and unwieldy. Labor rates usually run from $75 to $150 for the service call, according to HomeAdvisor. A reputable company can tell the homeowner the approximate time it will take to repair the door when they call for a quote—usually 1 to 2 hours for spring replacement.
Replacing garage door springs means a homeowner will be paying for new springs, brackets, and hardware to get the garage door working again. These typically cost $60 to $150 for a set of two springs, which is most common for a double garage door. A single door uses only one spring, so it will cost less to repair.
The supply and demand of garage door contractors will influence the total price. If there are fewer companies in the region, homeowners can expect higher garage door spring replacement costs. In general, repair rates in urban areas tend to be higher since the cost of living is greater than in most suburban or rural areas. On the other hand, a homeowner might have to pay an extra trip fee if the technician has to travel a long distance to get to a rural house.
If the garage doors were all installed around the same time, and they’re used with the same frequency, both springs could wear out simultaneously. Most homes have double-door garages that run on two springs to keep the door balanced as it lifts and lowers. When one spring is replaced, the older spring experiences imbalanced tension and will likely break soon afterward. For this reason, it’s recommended to replace both springs at the same time. If the home has a third or fourth garage door, homeowners may want to ask about a discount to have all the springs replaced simultaneously and avoid an additional service fee a few months later.
Residential garage doors are built using torsion or extension springs that create the force required to lift and lower the garage at a controlled speed. Whether a home has a roll-up garage door or a tilt-up door, the cost is calculated by the kind of spring being replaced. A commercial garage door is much larger and heavier than a residential door and is used more frequently than most residential doors, so the springs likely break more often. Commercial garage door springs cost $100 to $500 plus $150 to $300 for labor.
While most garage doors are the sectional style that rolls panels up along tracks, there are other types of garages like tilt-up and single panel. While the styles may be different, they all operate with a spring mechanism to offset the weight of manually lifting and lowering the garage door. Extension springs are the more traditional style, but torsion springs are another option.
Torsion springs are one of the more dangerous springs to replace since they remain under tremendous pressure when the garage is closed. They are attached to the wall on the side of the garage door and expand and twist tightly to operate the door. Torsion springs are stronger than extension springs, so they carry more weight and last longer—between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles or 8 to 15 years, depending on use. Replacement torsion springs cost $75 to $150 to install, including labor and materials.
Extension springs are cheaper than torsion springs, but they last only 8,000 to 15,000 cycles or 7 to 12 years. These are long and skinny and are located just above the door’s horizontal track on a single rod. When the door is lowered, the springs tighten and pressurize to create the spring action needed to raise the door again. They have safety cables attached to keep them in place when they break since they have more exposed parts than torsion springs. Extension springs cost around $50 to $100 each to replace, which includes labor and materials.
Garage doors also include cables that work in tandem with the springs to raise and lower the door. They’re also the backup system when the springs fail. The cables could wear out before the spring, so homeowners will want to watch for some common signs that the cables need repair: one side is heavier and lifting unevenly, the door whines when moving, or the door came off the track completely. A technician can replace the cables for $75 to $200, but if they are replaced simultaneously with a broken spring, a homeowner will likely pay $175 to $450.
The labor rates for a double garage door repair are the same as for a single, but the materials will cost more. Double garage door springs are larger than single door springs. For example, if an extension spring costs between $15 and $45, homeowners can expect to pay $15 to $30 more per spring. The cables are also thicker to accommodate the extra weight, so replacing springs and cables together will cost more.
The cost to replace springs on a roll-up garage door is about the same as any other door since the price is more dependent on the kind of spring being replaced. Most roll-up doors use two torsion springs, so homeowners will likely pay $150 to $300. Labor costs for roll-up doors are the same as for any other type of garage door.
Garage door springs can be tuned up to lengthen their lifespans. Have a technician maintain the springs once or twice a year to keep them lubricated and balanced. They’ll also make sure all screws are tightened and that the cables, tracks, drums, and rollers are all in good condition. Tuning up a garage door helps keep it functioning safely for longer, and a homeowner can potentially avoid a shock when the garage door breaks. Once a spring breaks, it cannot be repaired, only replaced. Garage door spring replacement costs between $150 and $350 on average, but a garage door tune-up costs $50 to $150.
If a homeowner wasn’t already home to hear the bang when a spring broke, there are several other ways to determine if they need a new garage door spring. Sure signs that the spring needs attention include a door that closes too fast or is excessively loud or crooked. Some signs occur more slowly, like rust and corrosion caused by the spring not staying lubricated enough. The following are the top ways homeowners can know if their garage door spring needs replacing.
Metal parts tend to squeak when they rub together or when they’re out of alignment. In the case of a garage door spring, squeaking indicates that the spring may need some lubrication and cleaning. A garage door maintenance specialist can look at the spring during a tune-up to make sure it’s in good working order.
A homeowner will know pretty quickly when something serious has gone wrong with their garage door springs. If any of these situations apply, a homeowner will want to call a technician to get the springs repaired:
If a homeowner uses the garage door several times throughout the day, the spring will wear out faster than if the door is used only once or twice per day. Heavy garage door use is a good reason to have regular tune-ups to extend a garage door’s life. Homeowners can also opt to install springs that have a higher cycle rate than others. One quick way to check the springs’ health is to raise the door halfway, then see if it holds level. If it continues to move or only one side keeps moving, the springs are heading for replacement.
Springs that come into contact with any moisture will rust quickly, which weakens the material. Since springs are under constant high pressure, any weakening immediately speeds up the replacement process. Homeowners can keep springs protected from moisture by lubricating them yearly with a silicone-based lubricant or WD-40 White Lithium Grease, which won’t harm the coils like regular WD-40. They’ll just want to make sure they don’t over-lubricate them; they shouldn’t be so slippery that they can’t maintain their coil. For high-humidity or coastal areas, garage door springs could also benefit from regular tune-ups.
When a garage door suddenly doesn’t work correctly, visions of costly repairs come to mind for many homeowners. They might even worry that they’re looking at a total garage door replacement. Fortunately, a broken spring is the most common culprit for a faulty garage door, and replacing it is a simple task for an experienced pro.
On the other hand, extensive damage to a broken garage door may warrant garage door replacement cost. Severe damage from strong weather or natural disasters could mean that a garage door is beyond repair. If a door fell off its track and broke on landing, it could also need to be replaced. In general, total replacement usually occurs when multiple parts of the garage door need repair or replacement. If the garage door is paneled, a technician may be able to repair the one or two damaged panels. But when the entire door, tracks, and cables are damaged, the whole garage door will need replacing. Additionally, a homeowner could opt to have a garage door replaced if they want a different type of door or if you want to add windows for more natural light or insulation for cold winters.
Garage doors may look like they’re easy to repair since they’re simple to operate, but that’s not the case. Garage door springs remain under constant intense pressure to lift a heavy door. Because of that, repairing them can be a dangerous undertaking. Repairing a garage door on their own could lead to a homeowner seriously injuring themselves or damaging any vehicles or equipment in the garage. They could also repair the wrong thing or do it incorrectly and cause a costlier problem. Garage door spring replacement is a project best left to a trained professional.
The safest and surest route to garage door spring replacement is for a homeowner to ask for help from qualified technicians who have been trained to remove and replace broken springs. These are not common household springs, so they also require special tools. Once the technician has removed and replaced the broken springs, the next step is to make sure the door is balanced correctly. If a homeowner is unfamiliar with this process, they could end up damaging their door, forcing a need to replace the entire garage door or even need to pay for window replacement cost. And as one final reason for homeowners to use a pro, some warranties will not cover repairs or new parts if the work is done by someone other than a licensed professional.
Though garage door spring replacement costs aren’t the most expensive repair you could face, it never hurts to save a little money on repairs. Use any of the following tips to find ways to lower the cost of replacing garage door springs.
It never hurts to have as much information as possible when hiring a pro to make repairs on your behalf. Even if a homeowner isn’t taking on this task themselves, they will want to ask several questions to ensure they’re hiring a qualified garage door repair company. It’s essential for homeowners to understand the costs, expectations, and steps to get their door back on track.
Understanding garage door spring replacement costs doesn’t have to be complicated since the fees are pretty straightforward. For a little additional information, homeowners can read through these frequently asked questions and answers.
Technically, yes. There are kits available for homeowners to do their own garage door spring replacement. But be aware that this is not advised since there’s a high risk of injury or even death when working with springs under extreme pressure. Without the right tools and experience, a homeowner could find themselves in an unfortunate circumstance with a personal injury or damage to vehicles or equipment inside the garage.
It depends on the type of spring the door has. Torsion springs should last 8 to 15 years, and extension springs should last 7 to 12 years. With proper maintenance, most springs can last their entire lifespan.
Keeping garage door springs lubricated is a good idea to prevent rusting or drying out. Both can cause the spring to wear out more quickly. Homeowners will want to be sure to use a silicone-based lubricant if they do it independently, or have a technician do a complete tune-up with the right tools.
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