What does garage door spring replacement cost?

Published national guides put a garage door spring replacement at about $155 to $350. That is the median of the low and high ends from 6 consumer price guides, and it is not a Maryland price. We have not yet verified Maryland prices by phone. Until we have, treat every number here as a national estimate.

Why the guides disagree

One consumer guide tops out at $279. Another runs from $327 to $576. Three things explain most of the gap.

• Some guides price one spring. Others price the whole visit. Many doors use two springs, and companies often recommend replacing both at once.
• Guides written by service companies tend to run higher than consumer guides, because they describe full-service pricing. We list them below but keep them out of the range above.
• Data sets differ. Some guides use contractor cost databases. Others use completed project data.

That is why the sources table at the bottom of this page lists every figure separately. You can judge each one yourself.

Torsion and extension springs

Torsion springs mount above the door opening and are common on modern residential doors. Extension springs run along the sides of the door. One guide puts torsion spring replacement at $150 to $350 and extension springs at $120 to $200. That is a single source, so treat it as a rough guide.

Not sure which you have? Look above the door for a bar with a coiled spring on it (torsion). If the springs run parallel to the horizontal tracks, they are extension springs.

What moves the price

• Spring type and size. Heavier or insulated doors need stronger springs.
• One door or two. A second door means another set of springs.
• Service call fee. Two guides report minimum service fees of about $75 to $100 and $100 to $200. Ask whether the fee is credited toward the repair.
• Cables and related parts. One guide prices a combined spring and cable job at $200 to $500.
• After-hours visits. Many companies charge more for evenings, weekends and emergencies. We have no verified figures, so ask before you book.

Repair the spring or replace the door?

A spring is a wear part. If the rest of the door is in good shape, replacing the spring is far cheaper than replacing the door. One guide puts whole-door replacement at $754 to $1,707, with an average of $1,231. Another notes that garage doors commonly last 15 to 30 years, so an old door with several failing parts is worth pricing both ways.

Safety

The guides we read agree on torsion springs: they hold a lot of tension, and replacing them is a job for a trained technician. If a spring has broken, leave the door alone and see our page on what to do when a garage door spring breaks.

Questions to ask before you book

1. Is the quote per spring or for the whole visit?
2. Will you replace both springs?
3. What is the spring's rated lifespan, and what does the warranty cover?
4. Is there a service call fee, and is it credited toward the job?
5. Will you check the cables, rollers and balance while you are here?
6. Is the price the same if you come today?

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.