Expect roughly $150 to $350 for a single spring and $250 to $550 to replace both springs on a standard residential door, parts and labor included. Torsion springs mounted above the door cost a bit more than extension springs on the side rails. Heavier insulated doors or high-cycle springs push toward the top of that range.
Torsion vs. extension spring cost
| Spring type | Single spring, installed | Both springs, installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torsion (standard cycle) | $150–$250 | $250–$450 | Most common on doors installed in the last 15–20 years |
| Torsion (high-cycle, 25,000+) | $200–$350 | $350–$600 | Longer-rated spring, common upgrade after repeat failures |
| Extension | $100–$200 | $180–$350 | Common on older doors, mounted along the horizontal tracks |
| Cable replaced alongside spring | +$50–$150 | +$80–$250 | Cables often fail near the same time as springs; ask the tech to inspect them |
These are national estimates, not a guaranteed local price — get two quotes before you commit, especially since spring quotes can vary widely by contractor for reasons that have nothing to do with the actual part.
This is not a DIY repair
A wound torsion spring stores enough force to cause serious injury or death if it releases uncontrolled. This isn't a job for a socket wrench and a Saturday afternoon. Winding and unwinding a torsion spring safely requires the correct winding bars, a spring rated for your exact door weight and cycle life, and a controlled release process a technician learns through repeated hands-on training. DIY spring replacement is one of the most common causes of serious garage door injury, and it's the one repair on this site we don't walk homeowners through step by step. Call a technician for this one.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes consumer safety guidance on garage door hazards, including the stored energy in springs and lift cables. That stored energy is the real hazard, no matter how careful the person handling it is. If your spring has already broken and the door won't move, don't force it open or closed. Leave it and call for service.
Why springs fail in Arizona specifically
Torsion springs are rated by cycle count, meaning a fixed number of open-close cycles before they're expected to wear out, typically 10,000 to 25,000 depending on the spring. Heat speeds that clock along. Arizona summers push garage temperatures well above ambient outdoor readings, especially in an attached garage with no separate ventilation, and repeated heat cycling fatigues spring steel faster than it would in a milder climate. A spring rated for 15 years in a temperate region can wear out noticeably sooner here, particularly on doors that open and close several times a day.
Monsoon dust between July and September is a secondary factor. Dust and grit that work into the torsion shaft's bearing plates add friction, which adds strain to the spring on every cycle. A yearly lubrication of the torsion shaft, hinges, and rollers with a garage-door-specific lubricant (not general household oil) helps, but it doesn't eliminate cycle wear.
Signs your spring is close to failing
A door that feels noticeably heavier to lift by hand than it used to, a loud bang from the garage (the sound of a torsion spring breaking), or a door that opens a few inches and stops are all signs of spring failure or near-failure. If your opener is straining and making a labored motor sound before the door moves, that's often the spring compensating less than it should, not an opener problem.
What a fair spring replacement quote includes
A trustworthy quote specifies the spring type and cycle rating, whether both springs are being replaced (even if only one broke — many technicians recommend replacing both since they wear at a similar rate), and whether cables, rollers, or bearing plates are being inspected in the same visit. Some companies price an unusually low single-spring quote and then upsell heavily once they're on-site. Ask for the full price, including cables and inspection, before the technician starts.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace a garage door spring?
Expect roughly $150 to $350 for a single spring and $250 to $550 for both springs, parts and labor included. Torsion springs typically cost a little more than extension springs. Get two quotes, since spring pricing varies by contractor more than the part cost alone would suggest.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
Not safely. A wound torsion spring stores enough force to cause serious injury if it releases uncontrolled, and DIY spring work is a leading cause of garage door injury. This is one repair worth paying a technician for even if you're comfortable with other home projects.
What's the most common reason a garage door spring fails?
Cycle fatigue is the most common cause: springs are rated for a set number of open-close cycles, and heat accelerates that wear. In Arizona, hot garage temperatures and frequent daily use both shorten a spring's working life compared to milder climates.
Find a local technician
Springs aren't a wait-and-see repair once one has broken. We list rated contractors across the Valley, including Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, and Peoria — use the quote form below to compare technicians near you before booking. See also our guides to garage door cable repair and garage door replacement cost if the damage goes beyond the spring itself.