A broken spring is one of the most common reasons a garage door suddenly stops working — the door feels impossibly heavy, won't stay open, or slams shut fast when opened manually. Springs are also one of the most dangerous parts of a garage door to work on, so it's worth understanding what's actually involved before deciding whether to repair or replace.
Why this isn't a DIY repair
What a technician typically does
- Identifies whether the door uses torsion springs (mounted on a bar above the door) or extension springs (stretched along the horizontal tracks)
- Releases tension safely using winding bars and proper clamps
- Replaces the spring (or springs — many doors use two) with a correctly rated match for the door's weight and size
- Re-tensions and tests the door's balance before finishing
How long it takes and what it costs
A straightforward spring replacement usually takes under an hour once a technician arrives, and typically costs somewhere in the $300–$1,000 range depending on spring type and door size. If your opener or cables were also under strain from the failed spring, those may need attention too, which adds to the bill.
When it's worth replacing the door instead
A spring failure on an otherwise sound, newer door is a straightforward repair call. But if the door is already older, has other worn components, or this isn't the first spring failure, it's worth pricing out a full replacement before paying for another repair — see our breakdown of repair cost vs. replace for the full comparison.
If you decide a new door makes more sense, our wizard gives you an exact installed price for a Hörmann door in about two minutes, with a free on-site inspection to confirm before anything is scheduled.