Over time, garage doors wear out and the springs break. When this happens, your door may slam shut or fail to open. A professional garage door spring replacement cost typically falls between $150 and $300.
If you’re like most
homeownerswith a garage, you rely on your garage so much you never stop to think about how it works—until one day it doesn’t open because the springs have worn out. When that happens (which is normal!), you’ll need to get the springs replaced—but you may not know where to start or how much it will cost.
That’s why
Jerry, the
homeand
auto insurancebroker and
super app, is here to answer all of your questions about garage door spring replacement services. We’ll cover how much it will cost, factors that impact the price, and other considerations.
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Cost of garage door spring replacement
The cost of a garage door spring replacement includes both parts and labor, but it also depends on the type of garage door you have. In general, you can expect to spend between $150 and $300 in total to replace a garage door spring.
Factors that influence garage door spring replacement costs
Several factors affect the price of your garage door spring replacement service, including the number of doors, number of springs, labor, materials, and other hardware needed.
Number of garage doors
If your garage doors were all installed simultaneously and see a similar level of use, you could expect them to wear out around the same time. If you have more than one door, it’s a good idea to replace all springs at the same time.
Additionally, double garage door springs are bigger than single door springs, so they’ll cost $15 to $30 more in materials per spring. Labor costs should stay about the same as for replacing a single door.
If only one spring on a garage door breaks, you should still replace both springs. The tension caused by pairing a new spring with an old one will cause the old one to break.
Labor
Garage door spring replacements are difficult to do because the spring is under a lot of pressure. Doing it yourself is very dangerous: you could get hurt, damage the door/equipment, or damage items in your garage.
Replacing springs also requires many special tools that the average homeowner doesn’t have.
Once the springs are installed, you still have to balance the heavy garage door so that it tracks smoothly. So, this is a job best left to the professionals.
Find a reputable repair company in your area and ask them for a quote. The quote should include all materials, hardware, and labor costs. For safety reasons, you’ll need two technicians on site.
Expect labor costs to run between $75 and $150 for about two hours of work.
Materials
The materials that your contractor will need to complete the job should include the cost of the springs, brackets, and other hardware.
If you have a double garage door replaced, you’ll need two springs, while a single door will only need one. Springs can cost between $30 and $200 for two sets of springs.
Location
Supply and demand for garage door contractors will affect your overall price. If you live in an area where there are a lot of contractors to choose from, you should expect lower prices than in areas with more limited choices.
You may have to pay extra in urban areas because the local cost of living is higher, but in rural areas you may have to pay an extra “travel fee” if the contractors need to make a long drive to come to you.
Key Takeaway You shouldn’t replace your garage door springs yourself. A professional garage door spring replacement will cost about $300 for parts and labor.
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How to organize your garageTypes of doors and springs
The type of garage door and spring you have will impact the price of the repairs. Most garage doors are sectioned panels that roll back along a track. There are also single panel doors and tilt-up doors.
No matter what type of garage door you have, they all use a spring mechanism to offset the weight of lifting and lowering the door.
Traditionally, garage doors use extension springs to move the door, but some homes use a torsion spring bar. Torsion springs are more expensive to replace.
Extension spring
As the more common option, extension springs are cheaper to replace than torsion springs, but they don’t last as long. You should expect these springs to last 8,000-10,000 cycles or 7-12 years.
When the garage door is closed, extension springs tighten and pressurize so that they can “spring” back to raise the door. They are attached with safety cables to prevent damage.
While extension springs are cheaper than torsion spring bars, they have more exposed parts that can be damaged if they break through normal wear and tear.
To replace an extension spring, you should expect to pay between $15 and $45 for each spring with a labor rate of $50 to $100 each spring.
Torsion spring bar
Torsion spring bars are the most dangerous type of garage door spring to replace because they remain under tremendous pressure, even when the garage door is closed.
These springs attach to the wall opposite the garage door, and they expand and twist tightly to move the door. These springs are stronger than extension springs and carry more weight. They also last longer: 10,000-20,000 cycles or 8-15 years.
Roll-up doors use torsion springs, so you’ll likely pay $200-$250 for the total replacement ($30 to $100 in parts and $75 to $150 in labor for each spring).
Key Takeaway There are two types of garage door springs depending on the type of doors you have. Torsion spring bars are more dangerous and more costly to replace than extension springs.
MORE:
14 surprising things included in dwelling coverage on homeowners insuranceGarage door cables
Your garage doors operate with both a spring and a cable. These cables are a backup system if the springs fail. However, cables can wear out before the springs do, so you’ll want to inspect them regularly.
Watch these for these signs to tell if your cables are on their last leg:
One side of the door is heavier and it’s lifting unevenly
The door whines when moving
The door came off track completely
If you need to replace your cables without a spring replacement, they should cost between $75 to $200. If you need to replace the spring as well, you’re looking at $175 to $400 in total.
Repairs and tune-ups
Your garage doors will last longer if you do a tune-up once or twice a year to catch an issue before it breaks completely (in which case the repairs will be more expensive).
When a garage door specialist does a tune-up, they also check:
Screws
Cables
Tracks
Drums
Rollers
Tune-ups are much cheaper than replacements and should cost between $50 to $150.
Pro Tip If you live in a humid area, you should lubricate your garage door springs at least once a year to avoid rust. Make sure to use a silicone-based lubricant—but don’t overdo it!
How do I know if I need a new garage door spring?
Here are some signs that your garage door springs need attention:
You heard a loud “bang” when trying to open the garage door
The door closes too fast
The door won’t stay open
Cables are loose or broken
The garage door is hanging crooked
Metal parts are squeaking
There is noticeable rust or corrosion on your springs
The motor is running, but the door won’t open
It’ll be pretty obvious if your garage door has a severe problem. If you notice anything on the list, you need to schedule a service with a garage door contractor.
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FAQs
FAQs
How Much Does it Cost to Replace Garage Door Springs? | GetJerry.com? ›
You can definitely replace garage door springs on your own, but it can be a bit tricky and dangerous, and the skill required depends a lot on the type of springs that you have.
Are garage door springs easy to replace? ›You can definitely replace garage door springs on your own, but it can be a bit tricky and dangerous, and the skill required depends a lot on the type of springs that you have.
Should I replace a garage door spring myself? ›While replacing a garage door spring yourself is possible, it's best left to the professionals. Not only do you require knowledge of the type of springs you have, but you must also be aware of the dangers associated.
How often do garage door springs need to be replaced? ›Most garage door springs are designed to open and close a garage door 10,000 times. If you use your garage door four times a day, this equates to a seven year lifespan for the average spring.
How long does it take to replace garage springs? ›On average, you can expect your garage door spring replacement to take between half an hour and an hour. Of course, unexpected complications may cause the job to take more time. For instance, the technician may need to readjust the door that has gone off the track or tighten loose cables.
Can you manually lift a garage door if the spring is broken? ›A garage door can still open if the spring is broken, but it will take some manual effort. Using your garage door opener could burn out the motor since the broken spring makes the garage door heavier. We recommend not attempting to open your garage door if it has a broken spring.
Should garage door springs be replaced in pairs? ›When replacing tension springs, it is recommended that both springs be replaced and matched because the older, unbroken spring will have lost some of its tension from years of use. Replacing both springs helps to balance the door so that it opens smoothly with equal force being applied to each side of the door.
Will garage door fall if spring breaks? ›Your garage door spring is a small but instrumental part responsible for ensuring your garage door opens smoothly. As garage doors are exposed to moisture, force and cold, they can weaken and may cause your garage door to sag or fall completely.
What causes a spring to break on a garage door? ›By far the biggest reason for garage door spring failure is simple wear and tear. Most springs are engineered and rated for about 10,000 cycles – one cycle being the garage door going up and coming back down to close.
Should you replace both springs when one garage door breaks? ›Yes. You may be tempted to save money on parts and labor by replacing just one spring, but you'll likely need to replace both when one spring breaks. Garage doors have two springs, one on either side of the door. The springs exert the force that makes the door light enough to be lifted.
How do I know if my garage door springs are bad? ›
- Automatic Opener Won't Fully Raise the Door. ...
- Door Closes Too Fast. ...
- Door Opens Crookedly. ...
- Loud Snapping Noise Comes From Garage. ...
- Operation Comes With Lots of Noise. ...
- Springs Have Gaps. ...
- Springs Look Rusty or Stretched Out.
- You Hear the Garage Door Opener Strain. ...
- The Door Slams Shut Without Warning. ...
- You Hear a Loud Popping Sound When the Door Is Closed. ...
- The Door Feels Heavier. ...
- You Can't Rest the Door in the Mid-Level Position. ...
- How Often Should You Replace Torsion Springs?
The average cost for a Coil Spring Replacement is between $587 and $657. Labor costs are estimated between $238 and $301 while parts are priced between $349 and $356.
How can I make my garage door spring last longer? ›- Keep rust and corrosion at bay. Regular lubrication plays a big role in preventing rust and corrosion, but it has to be done with the right lubricant. ...
- Keep your garage door properly balanced. ...
- Keep road salt out of your garage. ...
- Keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance.
A functional garage door opener and spring smoothly lifts and lowers the weight of the door. When the spring breaks the door can come crashing down because it no longer has a counterweight against gravity's pull on the door panels.
Can garage doors work with one spring? ›One spring can perform the work needed to open and close a one-car garage door. The exception to the one-spring, one-car garage door rule is if the door is heavy.
Why is my garage door so heavy to lift? ›Cause: Garage torsion springs are vital aspects of the garage opening system, as no other part of the mechanism is strong enough to lift the heavy door. When a torsion spring suffers a failure or breakage, you may notice that your garage feels much weightier to lift, or it simply won't open at all.
What happens if torsion spring is broken? ›If your garage door's torsion spring is broken you will likely notice the following: Usually the automatic garage door opener will not open the door. When you disconnect the opener and raise the door manually, the door won't stay in the up position. You will see the split in the spring when viewing it.
How long do garage door springs last? ›How long does a garage door spring last? The life expectancy of a new garage door spring is seven to 12 years for an extension spring and eight to 15 years for a torsion spring. This comes out to about 10,000 to 20,000 opening and closing cycles in total.
How many springs should a 2 car garage door have? ›A double-wide garage door takes two springs. However, if you have an exceptionally heavy single door, you may need two torsion springs. It is easy to tell whether you have one or two springs.
Do garage door springs need to be tightened? ›
Your garage door springs offset the garage door's entire weight, which is very heavy. They need to be adjusted properly for the door to open and shut easily.
Should you open the garage door with a broken spring? ›Garage doors with broken springs should not be opened. Doors in this condition can be difficult to lift because the garage door opener loses the support springs provide in lifting and lowering the door.
What does it sound like when a garage door spring breaks? ›There are two main ways to know you have a spring problem: Your opener motor is working but the door isn't moving, or you may hear the opener straining to lift the door. You hear a loud pop like a firecracker. That was the sound of a spring breaking.
Does a 2 car garage need 2 springs? ›On single one-car garage doors, only one spring is necessary to balance the door. Even on two-car garage doors, one spring can be engineered to lift the door, however it shouldn't be done for these reasons.
How often do you need to lubricate garage door springs? ›It's very important to lubricate all of the moving parts in your garage door every six months. This extends the lifespan of your door and also keeps it quiet.
Can you put a stronger spring on a garage door? ›If your garage door springs have lasted less than five years, or if you plan to live where you are for many years, you may want to try the extra long life torsion springs. By using larger springs, you can, in most cases, quadruple your spring life while only doubling the cost of the springs.
Can you overwind a garage door spring? ›The process of overwinding a garage door spring can be dangerous for the installer as well. Over winding a garage door torsion spring can cause the spring to break during the winding process. Under winding a garage door torsion spring creates its own set of problems and is not recommended.
Do garage door springs get weaker over time? ›This is because garage door springs stretch and contract thousands of times during their life. This naturally wears them down and causes them to “soften up” and become too weak to carry the weight of the door. A door with weak springs will move faster while going down and slower while going up.
How much is labor for springs? ›Labor costs typically range between $133 and $168, while you may spend $217 to $254 for the parts. Also, if the shop has to order a new coil spring for your truck, you may not have your vehicle for several days. Worn or damaged coil springs need replacement, rather than repair.
Is it hard to replace springs? ›Installing lowering springs refers to the process of customizing your car's suspension, enabling it to ride closer to the ground. The process is not difficult, so anyone with garage access and a little know-how can accomplish this modification.
How long does it take to replace a spring? ›
Typically, front spring coils replacement can take 1 – 3 hours. Back spring coils tend to take between 1 – 1.5 hours.
Can I spray WD-40 on my garage door springs? ›Lubricating garage door springs is important to keep them from rusting and breaking. To do this, start by spraying WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease on the spring. Then, use a putty knife to spread the grease evenly. Do this for each spring until all of them are lubricated.
Can you use wd40 on garage spring? ›Therefore, it is advisable to use a spray based lubricant for the purpose of lubricating these springs. WD-40 can be use effectively for this purpose, exactly, considering the fact that it is not only a lubricant but also serves to get rid of any rust that might exist on your garage door springs.
What is the best lubricant for garage door springs? ›The best type of lubricant is either a lithium grease or a silicone spray. A lithium grease product will form a moisture-reducing barrier and protect against friction. A silicone spray will have these qualities and will also help protect the components of your garage door.
Is it common for garage door springs to break? ›The most common garage door spring failure is everyday wear and tear. Most springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles – one cycle being the garage door going up and coming back down. That may seem like a lot, but consider that you go through a minimum of two cycles a day just getting the car in and out.
Is replacing a garage door difficult? ›Installing a garage door is tougher than installing a regular door. It is not only tricky but dangerous, too. A functional and beautiful garage door requires perfect installation. It isn't easy to install if you don't have the correct tools and skills to guarantee an excellent job.
What happens when a garage door spring is broken? ›Once the spring breaks, the door will fall quickly or come crashing down. This happens because it no longer has a counterbalance for the gravity's pull on the panels. The door will probably still open even if it has a broken spring.
Is it loud when a garage door spring breaks? ›A spring will put off a loud 'bang' noise when it breaks. If you hear this noise and your garage door won't open, you've got a broken garage door spring.
How can I make my garage springs last longer? ›- Keep rust and corrosion at bay. Regular lubrication plays a big role in preventing rust and corrosion, but it has to be done with the right lubricant. ...
- Keep your garage door properly balanced. ...
- Keep road salt out of your garage. ...
- Keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance.
By far the biggest reason for garage door spring failure is simple wear and tear. Most springs are engineered and rated for about 10,000 cycles – one cycle being the garage door going up and coming back down to close.
Is it safe to replace garage door springs? ›
Each time you open and close your garage door, its entire weight is transferred onto the spring system. For this reason, it can be extremely dangerous when a spring breaks, and it's considered highly risky for homeowners to attempt to replace or repair springs themselves.
How often should garage doors be replaced? ›A modern garage door's original panels should last at least 30 years before replacement makes its way onto your to-do list. Garage door openers, on the other hand, will last between 10 and 15 years.
How long should garage doors last? ›Lifespan. Though multiple factors will determine the actual lifespan of a garage door, usually, a garage door will last between 15-30 years. Depending on where the garage is installed, it may get exposed to floods, storms, adverse weather conditions, and environmental factors.
How much does home Depot charge for garage door opener installation? ›Garage door opener installation is available starting at $118, including removal and haul away of old openers and other materials. Request service online, in-store or by phone and a licensed, professional installer will contact you to schedule the installation date.
Can garage door work with one spring? ›One spring can perform the work needed to open and close a one-car garage door. The exception to the one-spring, one-car garage door rule is if the door is heavy.
Will garage door fall if torsion spring breaks? ›These springs are primarily responsible for lifting your garage door. If the torsion spring is broken, the door will not go up.