How Much Does Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $150 - $350

Garage door spring replacement costs $250 on average, or between $150 and $350, depending on the spring type

How we get this data
Modern garage door
Photo: pridannikov / Adobe Stock
Deane Biermeier
Written by Deane Biermeier
Contributing Writer
Updated February 29, 2024
Modern garage door
Photo: pridannikov / Adobe Stock

If your garage door isn't opening or closing properly, you may need to replace the door’s springs. Garage door spring replacement costs $250 on average, with prices often ranging from $150 to $350 or more. A reliable garage door protects your home from security threats and the elements while also making daily life more convenient. However, it must work properly to be helpful. Read on to learn about all the factors that impact the cost of replacing your garage door springs.

See the price range for garage door spring replacement:
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$150 - $350
  • Average
  • $250
  • Low end
  • $75
  • high end
  • $500
LOWHIGH

What Factors Influence the Cost to Replace Garage Door Springs?

A few factors impact your final cost to replace a garage door spring, including:

Number of Doors

Number of Garage DoorsAverage Spring Replacement Cost
One$150–$350
Two$275–$425
Three$350–$700

You’ll pay between $150 and $350 for a single garage door. Costs could potentially run as high as $500 if you have to replace springs for several doors or have to make related repairs. When one door garage spring fails, it’s better to replace both springs at the same time to maintain the door's balance. Plus, a contractor will likely give you a good deal if you replace both during the same visit.

For example, your garage door repair tech must make a trip to your home, whether replacing springs for a single door or three doors. Replacing springs on multiple garage doors can minimize labor costs by reducing trip time. However, the material price will increase by the cost of additional springs per door.

Double-door springs can cost an extra $15 to $30 per spring compared to a single-door.

Type of Garage Door

Type of Garage DoorReplacement Cost (per Spring)
Sectional$75–$150
Tilt-up$50–$100
Roll-up$75–$150

Garage door springs are integral to how most garage doors work. Garage door spring replacement costs can depend on the type of garage door: sectional, tilt-up, or roll-up.

Sectional garage doors are the most common type of garage door in the United States. The horizontal panels that make up the garage door are connected via hinges, and one by one, the panels roll up and inside a vertical track.

Tilt-up garage doors, also called one-piece garage doors, do exactly as their name implies: You tilt up the door and move it back along its tracks. Roll-up garage doors are common in commercial settings; the narrow steel panels coil up just above the opening.

Tilt-up garage doors use extension springs. Roll-up garage doors use torsion springs, which are more expensive to replace. Both extension and torsion springs are common on sectional doors. 

Accessibility

If a pro has a hard time accessing the garage, it could increase your labor costs. Difficulty accessing the garage or the spring itself means more time tacked onto the labor portion of the contractor’s bill.

Spring Type

For residential garage door springs, you'll pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per spring for extension springs, including labor fees. Torsion springs cost between $75 and $150 for both the spring and labor.

To switch from extension to torsion springs, expect to pay between $400 and $800. The torsion conversion kit costs between $250 and $500, where the professional removes old spring parts to install an entirely new system. 

Labor

For residential garage doors, spring replacement runs between $75 to $150, while commercial-grade springs can cost between $150 and $300 to replace. Due to the dangers of DIY work on garage door springs, contacting a pro who fixes garage doors is crucial for this job. 

Location

In some cases, your location might affect the cost to replace a garage door spring. Labor rates tend to be more in areas with a high cost of living, like large cities, compared to areas with a lower cost of living, such as rural and suburban towns. But if you live in a rural area and your pro needs to make a long trip to get to your house, they might charge more than if you lived closer. 

Urgency

Emergencies happen. If time is of the essence, you should call an emergency garage door repair contractor near you, though their services tend to cost more. If a spring is broken, the garage door is stuck for an unknown reason, or you're unsure of the problem, you should avoid potential injury by not opening the door manually

Signs Garage Door Springs Need to Be Replaced 

If your garage door exhibits any of the following behaviors, it’s likely time for a garage door tune-up or spring replacement.

Garage Door Issues

Common signs that you need new garage door springs include:

  • The door isn't hanging straight.

  • The motor is working, but the door is stuck.

  • The door lowers faster than usual.

  • The door won't stay open on its own.

  • You notice visible gaps in the springs.

  • The garage door makes a lot of noise.

  • You notice loose or broken cables.

Springs Are Starting to Rust

Garage door springs can rust when exposed to moisture, so it's a particular concern for homeowners in coastal regions. More than unsightly, rust can degrade the spring over time, rendering it useless. To prevent rust, lightly lubricate the springs each year using a lithium-based lubricant. Homeowners in coastal regions might need to lubricate them several times per year due to moisture in the air. 

Screeching Noises

If you hear screeching noises, it's possible that the springs are too tight or too loose. However, it's more likely due to worn-out or frayed cables. Bent or damaged tracks can also cause the garage door to screech.

Spring Replacement vs. Garage Door Replacement

When your garage door suddenly won’t open or close, you might feel that impending sense of dread: “Oh no, I’ve got to buy a new garage door.”

And who could blame you? It’s a lot of money. Replacing a garage door costs $750 to $1,650, while a garage door spring replacement costs an average of just $250.

Luckily, you may only need to replace the garage door springs. Call a garage door technician to check out the issue. If the only problem is the garage door springs, you’re in the clear. But if the pro reports issues with multiple components, such as the cables, pulleys, tracks, or the garage door itself, it’s probably time to fully replace the garage door.

In the long run, it’s likely more affordable than taking a piecemeal approach and repairing each part of the broken garage door as it fails.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Garage Door Spring Yourself?

You should never attempt a DIY garage door spring replacement. While you could save on the cost of labor by replacing garage door springs yourself, the savings are trivial compared to the danger involved in attempting the task on your own.

Garage door springs are under a lot of tension, so improper handling or a sudden release can lead to serious injury or worse.

Garage doors are also quite heavy, and repairs often require specialized tools, so calling a local garage door spring repair pro to replace your springs is essential for your safety. 

Tips to Reduce the Cost of Replacing Garage Door Springs 

There are several ways to potentially reduce the cost of replacing a garage door spring, including:

  • Getting estimates from multiple pros to find the best price.

  • Asking companies about any seasonal promotions or discounts.

  • Regularly maintaining and lubricating your garage door to prevent the need for repairs.

  • Buying the springs yourself.

Kelly Weimert and Timothy Moore contributed to this piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should change both springs on a garage door, even if just one breaks. Most garage doors come with two springs. Once one of them breaks, replacing both at the same time will ensure that the door stays balanced and strong. It may even prevent you from having to make extra costly repairs because of a potential imbalance.

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Learn more about our contributor
Deane Biermeier
Written by Deane Biermeier
Contributing Writer
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.
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