Like everything in your home, your garage door will require some TLC every now and again to ensure it remains functional, and the last thing you want is to be late because your garage door won’t open. Luckily, there are a lot of services out there that can take care of your garage door, fix any issues and replace any broken parts. 

If you’re not 100% sure if you need a garage door repair yet, this page will cover information about garage door repairs so you don’t find yourself stuck. Information includes:

• What does a garage repair service do?
• How to tell if your garage door needs to be repaired
• How much do garage door repairs cost?
• Garage door servicing 
• How regularly should I get my garage door serviced?
• Getting a quote for garage door repairs

What can a garage door repair service do? 

As the name suggests, a garage door repairman or service specialises in fixing garage doors. Should an issue arise with any part of your garage door, the easiest thing to do is get in contact with a pro. 

Your garage door service will usually be able to: 

• Assess the damage, looking at any mechanical or electrical components to diagnose the issue 
• Conduct safety checks on the overall structure of the garage door to catch anything that is or may become a hazard 
• Repair or replace parts to fix the issue
• Test and lubricate the mechanisms 
• Conduct a final assessment on the garage door to ensure it’s working as it should

During the assessment, your garage door technician should be able to tell you what the problem is so that they can give you an accurate quote. Common issues they’ll identify are:

• Broken or damaged components like springs or panels
• Misaligned tracks
• Motor or opener issues
• Sensor problems

If you can see, or have an idea, that any of these are the issue you can tell your technician when you contact them to get an earlier estimate for the quote. 

How to tell if your garage door needs to be repaired

If you’re unsure when to call a garage door repair service, there are several things you can look out for. Some of the obvious ones include:

• Roller door jamming or ballooning
• Garage door stuck open or closed
• Automatic doors won’t open 
• Lock or key damage
• Remote control not working, even after replacing the batteries
• Motor running with no movement
• Obvious broken parts

Some other, less obvious, signs that your garage door might need to be checked out by a repair service include:

• The door is heavy to lift 
• Excessive squeaking or noise when the garage door opens or closes
• Lights not working
• Garage door reversing before opening
• Shuddering or getting stuck while opening or closing 

How much do garage door repairs cost?

The cost of garage door repairs will depend on several factors. The type of repair, size of the garage door, severity of the issue and the type of garage. However, there are some general numbers that can help you understand how much it may cost for your garage door repairs. 

The average cost to fix a garage door opener is $150. Most homeowners will pay between $100 and $190 for this, plus parts. 

If you need to install or replace a garage door, a single-car garage door will be anywhere from $500 to $800, while a standard two-car garage door will be between $771 and $1,420.

Please note that these estimates are average ranges and actual costs may vary based on factors specific to your situation. That’s why it’s important to get a few quotes from different garage door repair companies so you can plan ahead for how much it may cost.

Garage door servicing 

Many garage door repair experts can also service your garage door to prolong its life and catch any problems before they can impact you or damage other parts of the garage door. 

Common garage door servicing jobs include:

• Servicing tracks, fixtures and fittings 
• Adjusting and lubricating hinges, wheels, bearings, springs, chains and tracks
• Servicing motors

As with most things, regular maintenance may feel like the more expensive option but the issues it can prevent often wind up saving money instead. 

How regularly should I get my garage door serviced?

Garage doors usually involve a lot of moving parts so when we think about servicing, it's good to plan around the weakest link. Though it will depend on how regularly you use your garage door, a good rule of thumb is to have your garage door serviced roughly every two years. 

If you use it several times a day, or live in an area with lots of dust or extreme conditions, it may be best to get a service every year to ensure that the tracks and mechanisms are clear of debris that could break or severely damage the entire system. 

Getting a quote for garage door repairs

At hipages, we always recommend getting quotes from at least 3 tradies before you settle on hiring one. The cheapest option may not always be the best though so it’s a good idea to get an itemised quote so you can compare services. 

It’s also a good idea to ask plenty of questions to make sure you're choosing the right service for you. some examples of good questions to ask your garage door repair service include:

• Are you licensed and insured for garage door repairs?
• Can you give references or examples of past garage door repair projects you've done?
• What types of garage door issues do you specialise in (e.g. spring replacement, opener repair, track alignment, commercial/residential)?
• Do you have experience with the make and model of my garage door and its components?
• How do you troubleshoot garage door problems?
• What’s your fee for general garage door repair services, and do you offer free quotes?
• Do you carry common replacement parts in your work truck, or will there be delays in getting the necessary parts?
• How long does it typically take to fix a garage door?
• Do you offer any warranties or guarantees for your work?