Guide
Repair or replacea garage door
One failed part on a sound door usually means repair. Damage to the door itself, or one failure after another, usually means replacement.
Repair makes sense when
A spring, a cable, rollers or a sensor has failed, and the panels are straight with no rust. Each of those parts can be replaced without touching the panels.
Replacement makes sense when
Several parts have failed in a short time. Panels are cracked, bowed or rusted through. The door no longer lines up with the opening. Or the style is no longer made, so repairs mean mismatched parts.
Separately, replace any opener with no sensors near the floor. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that protection came in 1993.
What drives the price
The contractor you speak with sets the price. This site doesn't.
| Size and weight | A wider or taller door needs more material and a stronger spring. Insulation and windows add weight. |
|---|---|
| Type of spring | Torsion and extension setups use different parts. Two springs cost more than one. |
| What else is worn | A new spring on tired cables or drums leaves a weak point. Ask what was checked. |
| Parts on hand | Common parts may be stocked. An unusual size or color is made to order. |
| Material and finish | Steel, wood, composite and glass-and-aluminum differ in cost. |
| Opener and extras | A new opener, a keypad or battery backup is priced separately. |
| Permit and removal | Ask whether any permit and hauling away the old door are included. |
| Visit charge | Ask whether there's a charge for the visit, and whether it counts toward the work. |
Get it in writing
A written proposal should name the door or parts, the work, the total, what's left out and any permit. Compare two line by line. A much lower total often means something was left out or the door is a different grade.
Ready to talk to a contractor?
Your call goes to an independent contractor who works in this area. Say what the door is doing, ask what the price covers, and ask for license details before you agree to anything.