What affects the price
Every spring quote I give comes down to five things. None of them are secrets, and you can spot most of them from the floor while you wait for me. If you call me at (619) 930-7869, I'll ask about these so I bring the right parts.
- Spring typeTorsion springs (the bar above the door) and extension springs (along the tracks) are different parts with different labor. Converting an old extension setup to torsion is also an option on some doors, and it changes the quote.
- One spring or twoOn doors with two torsion springs, if one broke, the other has the same cycles on it. Replacing both costs more today and saves a second visit later. I quote it both ways.
- Door weight and sizeA heavy wood two-car door needs a much bigger spring than a light steel single. I check the weight and balance, because an undersized spring is the most common mistake I fix.
- Cables, rollers and bearings at the same visitThe door is already apart. If the cables are frayed or the end bearings are shot, it costs less to do them now than to call me back. I'll show you the parts and let you decide.
- Opener conditionAn opener that's been straining against a broken spring sometimes strips a gear. I check it and reset the force limits as part of the job. If it needs more, that's a separate line on the quote.
Why I don't quote over the phone
Anyone who gives you a firm spring price over the phone is either guessing or planning to change it at your door. A spring is matched to the door by wire size, length, inside diameter and wind, and you can't read those from a description. So I do it in three steps instead.
- 1DiagnoseI measure the old spring and the door, and check everything the spring touches: cables, drums, bearings and the opener.
- 2ExplainI show you what I found, in plain English or Spanish, and what your options are. Repair one spring, repair both, or fix the cables at the same time.
- 3PriceOne number, before I pick up a tool. If you say no, I leave. No trip fee and no diagnostic fee.
What's included in my estimate
When I quote a spring, the number covers the whole job, not just the part. Here's what's in it, every time.
- The spring, sized to your doorMatched by measurement, not by whatever's on the shelf.
- Balance and testFull open-and-close cycles, the door checked at the halfway point, and the opener's force limits reset.
- Safety cables checked on extension springsIf they're broken, damaged or missing pieces, I replace them. A snapped extension spring without a cable can go through a wall.
- Lube and a look at everything elseHinges, rollers and track. I tell you what's next on the list and roughly when to expect it.
- Warranty in writingOne year on parts and 30 days on labor, written on your invoice.
Red flags with lowball quotes
San Diego has a lot of garage door ads with a very low spring repair number in big type. Here's how those usually end, and what to ask before anyone starts work.
- The price doubles at the doorThe ad price was for a part nobody uses, or for one spring when you need two. Ask whether the number includes labor, both springs and the trip.
- "You need a whole new door"On a door with one broken spring, that's almost never true. Get a second opinion before you sign anything.
- No license numberCalifornia contractors have to show their license number. Mine is CSLB #1136749, and you can look it up at cslb.ca.gov.
- Cash only, no paperworkNo invoice means no warranty you can enforce. Walk away.
How to keep the next spring from breaking early
You can't make a spring last forever, but you can stop it dying young. A balanced door wears its springs evenly, so have the balance checked once a year. It's part of every tune-up. Please don't pull the release cord and test it yourself. A door with a tired spring can drop.
If the door gets squeaky, a little garage door lubricant on the hinges, the rollers and the springs is the one job I'm happy for homeowners to do, and near the coast it helps slow rust. When it's time to replace them, I use better-quality springs sized to your door, not bare-minimum ones that just fit.
One more thing: if someone else just replaced your spring and the opener still strains, or the door comes down harder than it should, the new spring may be the wrong size. That's worth a second look before it wears out your opener.