Garage Door Repair FAQ: Questions Answered Straight

National cost guides put spring replacement at about $150 to $350, with an average near $250. Your price depends on the spring type, how many springs, and your door’s size and weight.

Not with the opener. It can strip the gear or burn out the motor, and the door is heavy enough to fall hard.

A standard spring is rated for about 10,000 open and close cycles, around 3 to 7 years for most households.

If both are the same age, usually yes. The second tends to break soon after.

A torsion spring sits on a metal bar above the door and twists to store energy. Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side and stretch. Most newer Killeen homes have torsion springs. Many older homes near downtown still have extension springs, which should always have a safety cable running through them.

A visible gap or stretch in the coils, rust on the spring, a door that feels heavier than it used to, a door that will not stay put halfway up with the opener disconnected, or popping and creaking from above the door.

Springs wear out by cycles, and cold metal is less forgiving. A spring near the end of its life often gives out on the first cold snap of the year.

A cable hanging loose, unwound from the drum, or frayed near the bottom bracket. The door usually lifts crooked or jams with one side lower. Keep away from it and call. See cable repair.

National guides put track repair at $147 to $200. Cables, rollers or panels add to it.

Thumbtack puts new doors at $200 to $4,000, with most homeowners spending $800 to $1,200.

Ask when you call. We tell you about any service call charge before anyone is sent, and the repair price is in writing before work starts.

Spring size and quality, whether both springs are replaced, whether rollers and cables are included, and the time of day all change the price. Ask every company to name the parts in writing so you can compare.

A low phone price that jumps on site without explanation, pressure to buy a new door the same day, a price with no parts listed, or a technician who wants to bypass the safety sensors.

Often yes. Springs, cables and rollers are normal wear parts. A new door makes more sense when several panels are rusted, rotted or hail damaged, or repairs keep adding up. We price both options so you can compare. See the repair cost guide.

It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden damage like hail or a car is sometimes covered; wear and tear usually is not. Check your policy and take photos first.

Check your lease. Usually the tenant reports it in writing and the landlord arranges the repair.

Ask before you sign. City of Killeen Building Inspections, 100 E. Avenue C, (254) 501-7762.

We repair off post homes in the Fort Hood area. On post family housing usually goes through the housing office first.

Your landlord or property manager. Many leases say the owner arranges repairs. We can send the written price straight to them for approval.

Our homeowner resources page links to the City of Killeen, the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas DPS and federal opener safety rules.