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.

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:

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.