How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Garage Door?
A functioning garage door is necessary to use the space properly. Garage doors come in many sizes, styles, and materials, but most operate in one of just a few ways. This means that when it stops working, the cause can usually be determined quickly and repaired fairly easily.
Repairing a garage door has a wide range of costs due to the many materials and door styles available, as well as the number of issues that can occur. Most homeowners find that they spend around $250 on repairing a torsion spring and an attached cable to fix the door.
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Garage Door Repair Cost by Project Range
Signs That Your Garage Door Needs Repair
Signs that your garage door may need to be serviced soon vary, depending on which part is beginning to fail. Some issues may not become apparent until the door suddenly stops operating, such as a broken spring or cable. However, some symptoms indicate that you need to schedule a repair soon. These may include:
- Shaking or vibrating when the door goes up or down
- Looking lopsided with the door leaning to one side or the other
- Unusual noise when operating the door
- Worn or sagging sections of your door’s operating system
- A loose seal, allowing light and wind to enter
- A dented door or one that has moved on its track
While those are not the only signs, they are the most common. If you notice any of them, it is a good idea to schedule an inspection of your garage door to find out more.
Common Problems
Garage doors have many different parts, any of which may fail over its lifetime, necessitating repair. These common problems are the ones you are most likely to encounter if something stops working:
| Issue | Solution | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Broken remote | Replace remote and calibrate a new remote | $30 - $200 |
| Dead transmitter batteries | Replace batteries | $35 for inspection $10 - $15 for batteries |
| Photo eye out of alignment | Replace eye or remove mechanism, clean, and realign | $75 - $80 to realign $150 - $170 to replace |
| Broken lock | Remove old lock and replace | $80 - $100 |
| Broken or worn springs | Remove and replace springs | $100 - $120 for an extension spring $140 - $155 for a torsion spring |
| Broken glass | Remove old glass, open frame Replace with new glass Seal the frame | $150 - $300 |
| Dents | Replace panel in question Hammer out the dents Fill the dents with putty and paint | $150 - $400 |
| Rust | Replace panel in question Apply rust agent and repaint | $150 - $400 |
| Damaged wheel tracks | Remove damaged tracks Replace with new tracks | $170 - $300 |
| Broken circuit board | Replace the circuit board | $200 - $300 |
| Scratches or gouges | Refinish the door | $300 - $4,000 |
Cost Factors
Many variables determine the exact cost. Most companies conduct an inspection for a fee that can be waived if you have them make the repairs, which can influence small jobs. The door material, whether it has windows, spring type, or type of opener system all influence the price. Some materials, such as wood, are more expensive to repair than other materials like aluminum. This is why an inspection is usually a good idea before attempting any DIY repairs so that you correctly identify the issue. It is also why many companies quote a cost range prior to inspection.
Labor Costs
Most professionals charge on an hourly basis for repairing a door. This starts with the one-time inspection fee of roughly $35. After that, hourly rates are around $80/hour, with most jobs taking 1 to 3 hours. For repairing a broken spring and cable, the labor costs of the job are about $120 of the $250 total price. This assumes that the inspection fee was waived and there is no other damage to the door.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance can reduce the need for repair. This involves lubricating the chain drive and rollers on the track around once a year or if you notice them beginning to grind or make noise. Otherwise, inspect and clean the parts of your garage door yearly.
Look for worn sections that you can replace before they break, such as cracking weatherstripping, a rusting spring, or a fraying cable. Clean the sensor regularly to make sure it stays clear. Regular maintenance can also ensure the safety of your door, so take these steps, and call a repair specialist at the first sign of an issue. Some issues lead to other problems. For example, a breaking spring can also cause a cable to snap, so promptly replacing worn parts helps keep overall costs down.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Window Addition
If your garage door is solid, you may want to replace one of the panels with a window to let in light. Panel replacement starts at $400 but can go as high as $4,000 with new glass windows.
Garage Door Painting
You may want to have your garage door painted to update its appearance. Costs for painting a garage door start at around $100.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- The most common issues with garage doors, such as not opening evenly, not staying up, and not opening all the way, are likely due to the springs.
- The springs in your garage door lift and lower the weight under tension. Do not attempt to fix or replace them yourself.
- Doors that open back up after closing likely need to be reset or have their limits adjusted.
- Garage doors that do not open even though the motor runs for a few seconds may have been manually locked. You can find the lock in the middle of the door with two bars running from either side.
- Chain or drive-screw-operated garage door openers may need lubricating if they are not opening properly. Apply a generous amount of garage door lubricant the entire length, and wipe off any excess to fix the problem.
- Torsion and extension springs have different costs for the material and the repair. Determining the kind of spring you have can help you get a more accurate estimate.
FAQ
- How much should it cost to repair a garage door?
Different repairs have varying costs, but most people spend around $250 on average.
- Does homeowners insurance cover a garage door?
This depends on your policy and the type of damage to the door, as well as how it occurred.
- How long do garage doors last?
Expect a minimum of 25 years from a garage door, but many last longer.
- How much does it cost to replace a two-car garage door?
Replacing a two-car garage door costs between $1,600 and $3,000 on average.
- Will my garage door work with a broken spring?
It may work but not safely, and it may list to one side or become stuck.
- Why does my garage door open on its own?
It likely needs to be reset. Consult your owner’s manual to find out how.
How much does it cost to repair a garage door in my city?
Cost to repair a garage door varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
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