Broken garage door spring: what to do and what it costs

A broken spring usually announces itself. People often report a loud bang from the garage, a door that will not lift, or an opener that strains and stops. Published national guides put replacement at about $155 to $350. That is a national estimate, and we have not yet verified Maryland prices.

Signs a spring has broken

• A loud bang from the garage when nobody was near the door.
• The door will not lift, or lifts only a few inches and stops.
• The door looks uneven or hangs crooked.
• On a torsion spring, a visible gap in the coil above the door.
• The opener motor runs but the door barely moves.

What not to do

Springs carry the weight of the door. With a broken spring, a door that normally feels light can be very heavy, and it can fall. Do not try to lift it by hand or keep running the opener against it. Do not touch the spring or the brackets that hold it. The guides we read agree that torsion spring work is for trained technicians.

What it costs

See the full breakdown in our spring replacement cost guide. The short version: published ranges span about $119 to $576 depending on the guide, with consumer-guide medians near $155 to $350. Some guides price one spring and others the visit. Springs are commonly replaced in pairs, so ask which your quote covers.

When a broken spring means something bigger

A snapped spring can strain other parts. Ask the technician to check the cables, rollers and balance. If the door is old and several parts are failing, ask for a whole-door quote too. One guide puts a replacement door at $754 to $1,707.

Sources

Our range uses consumer guides only: the median of their lows and highs. These are national figures. Maryland prices are not yet verified. How we handle prices.