Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
Garage door spring replacement costs $150 to $350 for a single torsion spring installed, or $250 to $500 to replace a pair. Extension springs run $100 to $200 per spring. The spring part itself is roughly $30 to $100; the rest is labor and a service-call fee. Prices vary by region, door size, and spring type.
Spring replacement is one of the most common garage door repairs. Most homeowners will need it at least once during the life of a door. Before calling a contractor, see how spring replacement fits into your total garage door budget with the garage door installation cost guide.
Cost by spring type
| Spring type | Part cost | Installed cost (per spring) |
|---|---|---|
| Torsion spring, standard single | $30 to $75 | $150 to $350 |
| Torsion spring, pair (recommended) | $60 to $150 | $250 to $500 |
| Extension spring (per side) | $15 to $50 | $100 to $200 |
| High-cycle torsion spring (25,000+ cycles) | $75 to $150 | $200 to $400 |
| Galvanized torsion spring (corrosion resistant) | $50 to $120 | $175 to $375 |
Torsion springs vs extension springs
These are the two types found on residential garage doors, and they work differently.
Torsion springs sit horizontally above the door opening, mounted on a metal shaft. When the door closes, the spring winds up and stores energy. When it opens, that energy unwinds and does the lifting. Most newer homes use torsion springs because they last longer, operate more smoothly, and are less likely to cause injury if they break. A single-car door typically uses one torsion spring; a double-car door usually uses two.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. They stretch under tension as the door closes and contract to assist opening. Extension springs are common on older doors and on doors with limited headroom. They are generally less expensive to replace but have a shorter cycle life and require safety cables to contain the spring if it snaps. If your door has extension springs without safety cables, ask your technician to add them during the replacement visit.
Why technicians replace springs in pairs
If one spring has broken, the other has logged the same number of open and close cycles and is likely close to its own failure point. Replacing both during a single visit adds roughly $50 to $100 in parts and saves a second service call a few months later. Most experienced technicians will recommend it, and it is generally the right call unless the surviving spring was recently replaced.
Cost by door size and weight
Spring replacement cost scales with door weight. Heavier doors require stronger springs, which cost more in parts. A standard 9-foot-wide single-car door weighs roughly 100 to 150 pounds and uses a single standard-cycle torsion spring. A 16-foot double-car door can weigh 175 to 300 pounds and typically requires two springs or a heavier-duty unit.
| Door size | Approximate door weight | Typical spring replacement cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-car (9 x 7 ft), non-insulated | 100 to 130 lbs | $150 to $300 |
| Single-car (9 x 7 ft), insulated | 130 to 175 lbs | $175 to $350 |
| Double-car (16 x 7 ft), non-insulated | 175 to 225 lbs | $250 to $450 |
| Double-car (16 x 7 ft), insulated | 200 to 300 lbs | $300 to $500 |
What makes up the total cost
The invoice on a spring replacement job typically breaks down like this:
- Service call or trip fee: $50 to $100 in most markets. Some companies roll this into the total; others list it separately. Ask before you book.
- Labor: $75 to $150 per hour. Spring replacement on a standard door takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes for a skilled technician.
- Parts: $30 to $150 depending on spring type and rating.
- Safety cable installation (extension spring doors only, if not already present): $20 to $60 extra.
If the technician also needs to re-tension or adjust cables, replace worn rollers, or lubricate the full system, expect $30 to $80 in additional charges. A full tune-up alongside spring replacement is worth doing since the door is already immobilized and the technician is already on site.
Signs your garage door spring may be broken
A broken torsion spring is usually obvious, but not always. Look for these signs:
- The door will not open at all, or the opener motor strains and stops without lifting the door.
- You can see a visible gap or separation in the spring coil above the door.
- The door opens a few inches and then falls back down.
- You heard a loud bang from the garage (sometimes described as a gunshot) when the spring snapped.
- The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it manually.
If you notice any of these, do not force the opener to cycle. Repeated attempts with a broken spring can strip the opener gears or damage the door panels. Disconnect the opener and call a technician.
DIY spring replacement: why it is not worth the risk
Torsion springs are under several hundred pounds of torque when wound. If a spring slips during installation, it can uncoil violently and cause serious injury. Professional garage door technicians use specialized winding bars and know the correct number of turns for each spring's wire diameter and door weight. The spring hardware and a set of winding bars cost roughly the same as having a professional do the job, and the labor savings are not worth the injury risk. Extension springs carry the same hazard when they snap under tension without proper safety cables in place.
Spring replacement is one of the few garage door tasks where hiring a pro is the clearest call. The installed cost, typically $150 to $350, is reasonable for the skill and safety equipment involved.
How long garage door springs last
Standard torsion springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles. At two cycles per day (one open, one close), that works out to roughly 13 to 14 years. If your household opens the garage four or more times daily, expect closer to 7 years before a spring needs attention.
High-cycle springs rated for 25,000 to 50,000 cycles cost $75 to $150 in parts versus $30 to $75 for standard springs. On a door that sees heavy use, the premium pays for itself in avoided service calls. Ask your technician which rating makes sense for your usage pattern.
Spring replacement vs full garage door replacement
A spring replacement at $150 to $500 is almost always worth doing if the door itself is structurally sound. The calculus changes only when the door is heavily damaged, more than 20 years old, or when multiple components need work at once. See the garage door replacement cost guide for a full breakdown of when replacement beats repair.
Frequently asked questions
How much does garage door spring replacement cost?
A single torsion spring replacement runs $150 to $350 installed. Replacing a pair costs $250 to $500. Extension spring replacement runs $100 to $200 per spring. The spring part itself is roughly $30 to $100; the remainder covers labor and a service-call fee. Costs vary by region and door size.
Why do technicians replace garage door springs in pairs?
When one spring breaks, the other has logged the same number of cycles and is near its own failure point. Replacing both at once costs only marginally more in parts and avoids a second service visit a few months later. It is standard practice for good reason.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
It is strongly not recommended. Torsion springs store extreme tension and can release violently if they slip during winding. Most injuries from garage door work involve springs. Hire a licensed technician. The installed cost of $150 to $350 is reasonable for a job that requires specialized tools and carries real physical risk.
How long do garage door springs last?
Standard torsion springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles, which works out to 13 to 14 years at typical residential use. High-cycle springs rated for 25,000 to 50,000 cycles cost more upfront but last significantly longer and are worth considering when replacing springs on a newer door.
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