One of the first questions homeowners ask after discovering a broken garage door spring is, “How much is this going to cost?” The answer depends on the door, the spring system, and the condition of the other moving parts.
Every garage door is different. Understanding what goes into spring replacement pricing can help you make an informed decision and avoid paying for a spring that is not properly matched to your door.
01
WHAT DOES GARAGE DOOR SPRING REPLACEMENT TYPICALLY COST?
At UpDown Garage Doors, springs that are stocked on our service trucks typically result in a residential spring replacement price between $389.00 plus tax and $425.00 plus tax.
TYPICAL STOCKED SPRING RANGE
$389.00 TO $425.00
Plus applicable tax. Final pricing depends on the exact spring system and condition of the door.
The final price can be affected by:
- The size and weight of the garage door
- The type and number of springs required
- The spring dimensions and life cycle rating
- The condition of cables, bearings, drums, and hardware
- Whether the correct springs are already stocked on the truck
- Whether additional worn or damaged parts need attention
A low advertised price does not always include the correct spring, both springs on a two spring system, or the work required to properly weigh and balance the door.
02
WHY DOES SPRING REPLACEMENT COST VARY?
Garage door springs are not one size fits all. There are thousands of spring combinations, and the correct setup depends on more than the appearance of the old spring.
Important measurements can include:
- Door weight
- Door height
- Wire size
- Inside diameter
- Spring length
- Drum size
- Spring direction
- Desired life cycle rating
Installing the wrong spring can leave the door too heavy, too light, or improperly balanced. That can shorten the life of the spring and place extra stress on the garage door operator and other moving components.
THE CHEAPEST QUOTE MAY NOT INCLUDE THE CORRECT SPRING
Ask whether the company will weigh the door, confirm the spring specifications, explain the life cycle rating, and replace both springs when the system uses two.
03
WHY UPDOWN GARAGE DOORS WEIGHS EVERY DOOR
One of the most common mistakes in the industry is replacing a broken spring with the same size spring that was already installed.
That may sound reasonable, but it assumes the previous technician used the correct spring. If the old spring was wrong, copying it repeats the same mistake.
At UpDown Garage Doors, we weigh the garage door and engineer the replacement springs for the door’s actual size and weight every time.
PROPER BALANCE
Correct springs help the door remain balanced throughout its travel.
LESS OPERATOR STRESS
A balanced door reduces unnecessary strain on the garage door operator.
BETTER LONGEVITY
Properly engineered springs support more reliable operation and longer component life.
SMOOTHER MOVEMENT
The door should move smoothly without feeling excessively heavy or rising on its own.
04
SHOULD YOU REPLACE BOTH GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS?
If your garage door uses two springs, we always recommend replacing both springs when one breaks.
Garage door springs have limited life cycles and normally complete the same number of open and close cycles. When one spring breaks, the second spring has usually experienced nearly the same amount of wear.
Replacing both springs at the same time helps:
- Keep the garage door properly balanced
- Reduce the chance of another service call soon afterward
- Prevent one new spring from working against one worn spring
- Reduce avoidable stress on the garage door operator
- Provide more consistent spring performance
Replacing only the broken spring may lower the immediate bill, but the older spring may fail shortly afterward.
05
WHY CHEAP OR GENERIC SPRINGS CAN COST MORE LATER
The biggest mistake many homeowners make is choosing the lowest price without knowing exactly what springs are being installed or how many life cycles those springs are designed to provide.
Generic springs supplied by companies that have not been properly vetted by experienced installers may not be the best match for the door. The same concern applies when a technician installs whatever spring is readily available without first weighing the door.
An improperly sized or lower quality spring may contribute to:
- Poor door balance
- Shorter spring life
- Uneven or rough movement
- Additional stress on the operator
- Repeat repairs and service calls
The goal should not be to install the cheapest spring. The goal should be to install the correct spring for the actual weight and design of the garage door.
Jared Carter, Owner of UpDown Garage Doors
06
WHY A SERVICE TRUCK MAY NOT HAVE EVERY POSSIBLE SPRING
There are thousands and thousands of possible garage door spring combinations. No service vehicle can realistically carry every spring option for every door.
A reputable garage door company should:
-
01
WEIGH AND INSPECT THE DOOR
The technician should identify what the door actually requires rather than relying only on the old spring.
-
02
ENGINEER THE SPRINGS CORRECTLY
The replacement spring combination should match the door’s size, weight, and operating system.
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03
KEEP ACCURATE SERVICE RECORDS
Once the correct spring specifications are documented, the company can be better prepared for future service.
UpDown Garage Doors keeps records of the springs installed so that if they eventually need replacement again, we can arrive better prepared with the correct specifications.
07
HOW LONG DOES GARAGE DOOR SPRING REPLACEMENT TAKE?
Spring replacement can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The average appointment takes approximately 1½ hours.
The repair time depends on:
- The condition of the garage door
- How well the door has been maintained
- The spring system and required parts
- Whether cables, bearings, drums, or hardware are worn
- Whether additional repairs are needed
Simple replacement
Average appointment
More involved repair
08
HOW COLORADO SPRINGS WEATHER AFFECTS GARAGE DOOR PARTS
Colorado Springs has a dry climate. That can be helpful because garage door components are not exposed to the same constant humidity found in other parts of the country.
The dry climate also makes proper lubrication especially important. Springs and other moving parts can become dry, increasing friction and wear if the door is neglected.
Keeping the garage door properly lubricated is one of the best first steps for helping the system last longer. Proper lubrication can reduce friction in springs, rollers, bearings, and hinges.
COLORADO SPRINGS MAINTENANCE TIP
DO NOT WAIT FOR THE DOOR TO BECOME LOUD
Regular professional maintenance and appropriate lubrication can help identify wear before it becomes a larger repair.
Learn About Garage Door Maintenance09
SIGNS YOUR GARAGE DOOR SPRING MAY BE BROKEN
Common signs of a broken or failing garage door spring include:
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A LOUD BANG FROM THE GARAGE
A spring can release stored tension with a sudden, loud noise.
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THE DOOR OPENS ONLY A FEW INCHES
The operator may not be able to lift the full weight without spring assistance.
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THE DOOR FEELS EXTREMELY HEAVY
A properly balanced door should not feel like its full weight is resting in your hands.
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A VISIBLE GAP IN THE SPRING
A separated section in a torsion spring is a common visual sign of failure.
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THE DOOR MOVES UNEVENLY
A damaged spring or related component may cause the door to rise unevenly or bind.
Stop operating the garage door if you suspect a broken spring. Continuing to use the operator can damage other components or create a safety hazard.
For additional troubleshooting information, read Why Won’t My Garage Door Open? 7 Common Causes in Colorado Springs.
10
IS GARAGE DOOR SPRING REPLACEMENT SAFE TO DO YOURSELF?
Garage door springs operate under extreme tension. Attempting to remove or install a spring without the correct training, tools, measurements, and procedures can cause serious injury or property damage.
Professional spring replacement involves more than removing the broken spring. The technician must:
- Secure the door and spring system
- Safely release and apply spring tension
- Inspect related hardware
- Weigh the door when required
- Engineer the correct spring combination
- Balance and test the garage door
- Confirm safe operator performance
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST SPRING TENSION
Keep hands and tools away from springs, cables, drums, and bottom brackets. Contact a qualified garage door professional for inspection and repair.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At UpDown Garage Doors, spring replacements using springs stocked on our service trucks typically range from $389.00 plus tax to $425.00 plus tax. Final pricing depends on the spring system, door weight, and condition of related components.
Yes. When a garage door uses two springs, we recommend replacing both because they have normally completed the same number of life cycles. Replacing both supports proper balance and reduces the likelihood of another failure soon afterward.
Weighing the door allows us to engineer the spring combination for the door’s actual weight. Simply copying the existing spring assumes the previous technician installed the correct spring, which is not always the case.
Spring replacement normally takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. The average appointment takes approximately 1½ hours, depending on the condition and maintenance history of the door.
A garage door with a broken spring can be extremely heavy and unsafe. Avoid operating the door until a qualified garage door technician has inspected and repaired it.
No. Springs can vary in dimensions, manufacturing quality, and expected life cycle. Ask what spring is being installed, how it was selected, and what life cycle rating it provides.
Normal wear and tear is generally not covered, but coverage depends on the cause of damage and the terms of your policy. Contact your insurance carrier for a coverage determination.
