What does garage door repair cost?
Most garage door repairs cost $150 - $600. Broken spring replacement often runs $180 - $450, opener repair is usually $150 - $400, and a new opener installed is commonly $350 - $900. Full door replacement starts closer to $900 - $3,500+ for standard steel doors.
The key is whether the problem is a repairable part, an opener issue, or a damaged/unbalanced door. Do not force a stuck or crooked door; springs and cables can fail violently.
Common garage door repairs and what they cost
Broken spring
$180 - $450; heavy/two-spring doors can be $300 - $750How to tellYou heard a loud snap, the door feels extremely heavy, or the opener hums but cannot lift it
The fixReplace the spring or spring pair, then balance the door so the opener is not carrying the weight
Opener failure
$150 - $400 repair; $350 - $900 replacementHow to tellMotor runs but door does not move, remote/keypad works inconsistently, or opener light flashes error codes
The fixRepair sensors, gear, trolley, board, or replace opener if motor/drive system is near end of life
Cable, roller, hinge, or track issue
$150 - $600+How to tellDoor moves crooked, jerks, scrapes, or one side hangs lower than the other
The fixReplace worn hardware, reset door in track, and balance the door
Safety sensor or limit issue
$75 - $250How to tellDoor starts closing then reverses, or opener clicks/flashes without closing
The fixClean and align sensors, clear obstruction, reset travel/force limits, or replace failed sensors
Damaged panel or door section
$250 - $1,000+ panel; $900 - $3,500+ doorHow to tellDent, crease, cracked section, or door binds when the damaged panel reaches the track curve
The fixReplace one matching panel if available; replace full door if several sections are bent or discontinued
Quick checks before you call
- Check the wall switch and breaker/GFCI. A dead opener may simply have no power.
- Look for the manual lock on the door. If it is engaged, the opener may strain but the door will not move.
- Clean and realign the photo-eye sensors near the floor if the door closes then reverses.
- Pull the emergency release only if the door is fully closed and sitting level. Do not disconnect a door hanging crooked, stuck open, or suspected of having a broken spring.
Unlock the hiring checklist
Use this before you call a garage door, so you know what to ask and what to avoid.
Call a pro when…
- You heard a snap or see a gap in the spring
- The door is crooked, off track, or hanging by one side
- A cable is loose, snapped, or wrapped around the drum incorrectly
- The opener strains, hums, or bends the rail while trying to lift the door
- A car is trapped or the garage cannot be secured
Repair or replace?
Repair makes sense when the door sections are sound and the problem is a spring, cable, roller, hinge, sensor, or opener. Replace when multiple panels are bent, the door is rotting or rusted, parts are discontinued, or the repair quote approaches half the installed cost of a new door. For a one-panel dent, ask whether a matching section is actually available before approving a full replacement.
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Related questions
Why is garage door spring repair expensive?
The price is mostly labor, safety, correct spring sizing, balancing, and warranty, not just the metal spring. A poorly matched spring makes the door unsafe and can burn out the opener.
Can a garage door opener lift a door with a broken spring?
It may try, but it should not. The spring counterbalances the door. When the spring breaks, the opener is forced to lift a door that can weigh hundreds of pounds, which can damage the opener and rail.
Is same-day garage door repair normal?
Yes for springs, cables, off-track doors, and opener failures. These are common service calls, and many garage door companies keep parts on the truck.
Should I replace both springs?
If your door uses two springs and one breaks, many pros recommend replacing both because they have the same cycle age. That prevents the second old spring from failing soon after and helps the door stay balanced.