Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost
Updated 24 March 2026
Torsion vs extension springs, cost by door size, cycle life, and why this is never a DIY job.
Quick Answer
- One torsion spring: $150-$350
- Pair of torsion springs: $200-$500
- Extension springs (pair): $100-$250
- This is NOT a DIY job. See the safety warning below.
Torsion vs Extension Springs
Torsion Springs
- Mounted horizontally above the door opening
- Wind-up mechanism stores and releases tension
- Last 15,000-20,000 cycles (standard)
- High-cycle versions available: 25,000-50,000 cycles
- Cost: $150-$350 each (parts and labor)
- More common on modern doors. Safer and more durable.
Extension Springs
- Run along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door
- Stretch and recoil as the door moves
- Last around 10,000 cycles (about 7 years)
- Always installed in pairs
- Cost: $100-$250 per pair (parts and labor)
- More common on older and lighter doors.
Torsion springs are the better long-term choice. If your door currently has extension springs and needs replacement, ask your technician whether converting to torsion makes sense.
Safety Warning
Garage door springs are under several hundred pounds of tension. When a spring snaps, it releases that energy instantly. A broken spring can fly across a garage at high speed, causing serious injury or death.
This is one of the few home repairs that professionals universally agree should never be attempted as DIY, regardless of skill level. The tools required are specialized, the stakes are extremely high, and the margin for error is zero.
Always hire a licensed and insured garage door technician. The $150-$350 labor cost is worth it.
Cost by Door Size
| Door Type | Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single car door | 7 ft wide | $150-$300 |
| Double car door | 16 ft wide | $200-$400 |
| Heavy insulated door | Any size | $250-$500 |
| Commercial door | Large format | $300-$600+ |
| Emergency / weekend callout | Any | Add $50-$100 |
Heavier doors require springs with a higher wire gauge, which costs more. Insulated steel doors and solid wood doors fall into the higher end of the range.
How Springs Fail
Cycle Life
Every time the door opens and closes counts as one cycle. Standard springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles. At four uses per day, that works out to about seven years. High-cycle springs (25,000-50,000 cycles) cost $50-$100 more but can last 20 years or longer.
Cold Weather
Springs break most often in winter. Cold temperatures make the metal more brittle and cause it to contract, increasing tension on an already-stressed spring. If you live somewhere with cold winters and your springs are more than five years old, consider proactive replacement before a failure leaves you unable to open the garage.
Signs Springs Are Wearing Out
- Door feels heavier than usual when lifted manually
- Door opens unevenly or tilts to one side
- Visible gaps in the torsion spring coil
- Squeaking or grinding during operation
- Door closes faster than normal
High-Cycle Springs: Worth It?
If you use your garage as a main entrance (four or more times per day), high-cycle springs pay for themselves. The extra $50-$100 upfront saves you a full replacement job within seven years. Ask your technician to quote both options.
Replace One or Both Springs?
Always replace both springs at the same time, even if only one has broken. Here is why:
- Same age: Both springs have the same number of cycles on them. If one has failed, the other is at the same point in its lifespan and will likely fail within months.
- Labor cost savings: A second service call costs $100 or more in labor alone. The second spring typically adds only $50-$100 to your current bill.
- Balanced operation: Mismatched springs (one new, one worn) cause uneven lifting and put extra strain on the opener motor, shortening its life.
Any reputable technician will recommend replacing both. If someone quotes only one spring replacement without explaining why, ask questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
No. Garage door springs are under hundreds of pounds of tension and a failure during replacement can cause serious injury or death. This is one of the very few home repairs that professionals across the board advise against attempting as DIY. Always use a licensed and insured technician.
Should I replace both springs even if only one broke?
Yes, always. Both springs have the same number of cycles on them, so the surviving spring is just as worn as the one that snapped. Replacing both at once saves the cost of a second service call, which typically runs $100 or more in labor.
How long do garage door springs last?
Standard springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles. At four uses per day that is about seven years. High-cycle springs rated for 25,000-50,000 cycles cost $50-$100 more and can last 20 years or more. Springs break most often in cold weather when metal becomes more brittle.
How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
The door will feel extremely heavy or refuse to open at all. You may have heard a loud bang when it snapped. Look for a visible gap in the coil of the torsion spring above the door, or check the extension springs on the side tracks for a visible break or a spring hanging loose.