Introduction:
From torsion springs to motors to sensors and more, there is a lot that goes behind the casual swing of a garage door when you bring your car around to park. While the average cost of garage door repair is somewhere between $98 and $860, the final price varies due to various factors like local labor costs and the type of door you have. This blog is designed as a guide to help you budget for a malfunctioning garage door so that if you ever find yourself in this situation, you won’t be surprised.
Garage Door Repairs: Estimates & Causes
As previously mentioned, a typical garage door, whether residential or commercial, has numerous components that come together to make it work efficiently. If even one of them is damaged for one reason or another, the door won’t function properly. If you or someone you know has a malfunctioning garage door, here is how much you might have to spend on repairs.
Keep reading to find out how much you need to have in your bank account.
- Spring Fixes & Replacements
One of the most common issues property owners face is having failing springs. These are powerful springs that do most of the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. If you’re hearing cracking or popping noises during operations or the door feels heavier than usual when you go to push it up, expect to spend about $300 or so on parts and labor costs.
- Cash For Cable Repair
After the springs, cables are what lift and distribute the weight of the garage door evenly. If your cables snap or fray, or if your garage door tilts to the side as you operate it, expect to pay anywhere between $98 and $400 for repairs, though the final price may vary significantly depending on the size of the door and the type of cables.
- The Funds For Fixing Faulty Openers
Your cables and springs wouldn’t know what to do without an opener to guide or operate them. There are several reasons for an opener failure, ranging from worn motor brushes to fried circuit boards. The cost of repairs fluctuates significantly depending on the type of issue your garage door openers are having.
- Chain-drive opener: $200-$300
- Belt-drive: $600-$700
- Premium direct-drive: $130-$400
- Smart openers: $150-$400
- The Price Of Panel Work
This can go two ways. Minor damages like dents and cracks only require a single panel replacement, but if multiple panels have received damage, the cost can jump up to somewhere close to a new garage door installation. Several things, like the material, design, and hardware attachments, need to be kept consistent, and this can be quite expensive if you have an older model. If you need to replace your garage door panels this year, expect to drop around $860 or more for a successful job.
- Off-Track Repairs & Their Costs
Several things, like uneven settling, poor installation, bent tracks, and even worn rollers, are responsible for off-tracking your door. Fixing them immediately is crucial, as the damage may jam your door or stop it from closing completely. If you need to repair or replace your tracks, the price for different types of repairs is as follows:
- Realignment: $147
- Track replacement: $147
- Bent track replacement: $400
- Other Cost Considerations
Aside from these major costs, the price of having your garage door fixed by a professional also depends on a few other factors. Here is a look at some of them:
- Service Call Fee: typically waived once you give the green signal, this can be $50-$70
- Emergency Repairs: after-hours or immediate fixes can cost you a couple of hundred dollars extra
- Permits: depending on the area you live in, permits can range from $25 to a few hundred.
- Disposal fees: Some contractors may charge you for old component removal
- Premium parts & Materials: add about 25-50% extra to the typical repair bills
- Weather stripping: this can cost you around $170-490
- The size of your door: a one-car garage will not be as pricy to work on as a door that covers two or more cars.
- Local Labor Laws: cities in New York or Boston will have higher average fees than rural areas.
Conclusion
Garage doors are a crucial part of your building’s structure, needing repairs for things like broken springs and misalignment issues. While on average you might have to pay around $860 on repairs, the costs can vary significantly depending on several factors like labor costs, the area you live in, and what types of repairs you need. We hope this article helped you get a clearer perspective on budgeting. For any more questions, please drop us a line!
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- FAQs
Can I repair my garage door myself?
Minor issues like battery replacement and sensor cleaning are easy enough, but leave the complex stuff to the professionals.
What are some signs that my garage door needs repairs?
Unusual noises, jerky movements, and sagging tracks and doors not fully opening are obvious signs that you need to call in a professional.
How long do garage door springs last?
Mostly, springs are meant to last about 10,000-15,000 cycles.