Repair or replace your garage door?
Usually repair. Springs, cables and single panels wear out on a door that's otherwise fine.
01 Compare
Repair or replace, side by side
| Situation | Repair | Replace | What usually makes sense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring broke | Repair from $225 | Replace door, priced at the free visit | Repair. Springs wear out, and the rest of the door is fine. |
| One dented section | Repair from $340 | Replace door, priced at the free visit | Repair if the section is still made. Replace if it's discontinued. |
| Opener dead, under 10 years | Repair from $185 | Replace opener from $620 | Repair the gear or board first. |
| Opener 15+ years, parts failing | Repair from $185 | Replace opener from $620 | Replace: the next part is close behind. |
03 Prices
Starting prices
Section replaced
from $340One panel, when the model is still made
What can raise the price
- A bottom section, which holds the cable brackets
- Matching the paint or finish
- A section that has to be ordered
Opener repair
from $185Gear kit, logic board, limits or sensors
What can raise the price
- A logic board instead of a gear kit
- A part that has to be ordered for an older unit
- Sensor wiring that has to be rerun
Opener installed
from $620New unit with the battery backup California requires
What can raise the price
- Belt drive or a wall-mount unit instead of chain drive
- Wiring for the wall control or the sensors that has to be rerun
- A door out of balance, with the spring work priced separately
04 Questions
Repair or replace questions
All pricesIs it cheaper to repair or replace a garage door?
Repair, in most cases. Chen Garage Door replaces springs in San Rafael and across Marin from $225 and single sections from $340. Replacing makes sense when a section is no longer made or the damage runs across several sections.
How old is too old for a garage door opener?
Past about fifteen years, parts get scarce and the next failure tends to follow the last one. A new opener from $620 comes with the battery backup California requires.
Do I get both prices at the visit?
Yes. When repair and replacement are both reasonable, you get both prices at the free quote visit, before any work.
