A garage door spring is a small part with a big job and when it snaps the entire door can grind to a halt. Homeowners often discover the problem without warning and the first question that follows the loud bang is how much it will cost to fix. This guide sets out what you can realistically expect to pay in Australia right now, why the price range can feel wide, and how to make sure the work is done safely, legally, and without nasty surprises. All figures are in Australian dollars and reflect early 2025 market conditions based on industry data, service invoices, and real quotations from metro and regional technicians.
Average Garage Door Spring Repair Cost in Australia
Across most capital cities a straightforward single spring replacement on a sectional door falls between 220 and 350 including parts, labour, and a standard weekday call out. That figure rises to 300 to 550 for double doors or heavier timber and insulated panels that need larger or dual springs. At the extreme end rare custom doors or very heavy commercial style tilt doors can push the invoice above 700 though that is uncommon in typical suburban homes.
The national mean recorded by Sand R Garage Door Services across 127 jobs in 2024 was 312. Eighty per cent of those jobs landed between 240 and 380. These numbers include both steel torsion springs which are now standard on most new doors and the older extension spring sets still found on some tilt or roller doors installed before the mid 2000s.
Detailed Cost Breakdown Parts Labour and Call Out Fees
Understanding where every dollar goes helps you judge whether a quotation is reasonable. A new torsion spring suitable for a single steel sectional door currently retails between 80 and 140 depending on cycle rating and local supply. Heavy duty or high cycle options add roughly 40 to 60 on top but can double the lifespan which reduces long term cost.
Labour makes up the next largest slice. Qualified door technicians charge between 90 and 150 per hour in metro areas, a little lower in regional centres. A simple like for like swap usually takes one to one and a half hours including tensioning and safety testing. Complex jobs that involve removing ceiling obstructions or re balancing a door with sagging panels can stretch to two or three hours.
Every professional repair also attracts a call out fee unless folded into an advertised package price. In metro areas that fee sits around 60 to 90 during standard business hours. After hours or public holiday attendance can double the call out and may lift hourly rates by 20 to 40 per cent.
Spring Types and How They Influence Price
Most modern double and single sectional doors rely on torsion springs mounted horizontally above the door opening. These springs store energy by twisting and release it smoothly which reduces wear on openers. They tend to cost a touch more than extension springs but last longer and are considered safer because they remain on the shaft when broken.
Extension springs run vertically or diagonally along each side of older tilt doors and some budget roller doors. They are cheaper to buy at 60 to 90 a pair but are usually sold in matched sets so if one breaks both should be replaced for door balance. The labour time for extension springs can be slightly higher than for torsion because correct tensioning involves multiple lift tests and cable checks.
High cycle torsion springs rated for fifty thousand cycles or more target busy households with heavy use such as families that open the door every school run. These springs cost up to 200 each but can last twice as long as standard thirty thousand cycle models. The additional part cost is often offset by fewer service visits over the lifespan of the door.
Cost Scenarios Across Australia
Geography matters. A technician driving several hours to a rural property cannot absorb the expense the same way a city firm can. The table below draws on recent invoices and supplier quotes to illustrate common scenarios. The separator line uses only hyphens so no colons appear.
| Scenario | Typical cost range |
| Standard weekday repair inner metro | 220 – 350 |
| Standard weekday repair outer suburban | 260 – 400 |
| After hours or weekend metro | 320 – 500 |
| Regional town within 50 km of depot | 280 – 450 |
| Remote property more than 50 km travel | 350 – 650 |
Figures assume a single torsion spring replacement. Double door or dual spring systems often add 80 to 150 due to part cost and extra balancing time.
Signs Your Garage Door Spring Needs Attention
Most homeowners only realise the spring has failed when the door refuses to open or it slams shut unexpectedly. A sharp bang from the garage is the classic symptom because a breaking torsion spring releases stored energy in an instant. Other warning signs include a door that looks crooked on the tracks cables that appear loose at one side or a manual lift that suddenly feels twice as heavy. If you notice any of these symptoms stop operating the opener immediately. Continued use can overheat the motor strip nylon gears or cause the door to jam and that will add a further repair line to your bill.
DIY versus Professional Repair
The internet is full of videos showing confident people swapping springs at home yet every manufacturer and insurance provider in Australia classifies spring replacement as skilled work with significant safety risks. A torsion spring can hold torque equivalent to several hundred kilograms. Releasing that energy without proper bars and lockdown procedures can break wrists or worse. Australian Standard AS NZS 4505 advises that spring adjustment and replacement be carried out by trained personnel to ensure compliance with safety requirements.
From a purely financial point of view a homeowner might source an aftermarket spring for 90 and invest another 60 in winding bars and locking pliers. However the lack of experience often turns a one hour job into a whole weekend. Any error in spring sizing or tension figures can warp panels and void the door warranty. If the door drops and damages a car your insurer may decline the claim if the repair was not done by a qualified tradesperson.
Professionals carry public liability insurance and many offer at least a twelve month workmanship warranty. The peace of mind is usually worth the 150 to 200 premium over a DIY attempt.
Factors That Push Costs Up or Down
Door size has the biggest impact. Double width doors weigh around forty per cent more than single panels even when made from similar materials. Timber cladding adds further mass and often demands twin springs with different wire diameters which raises part pricing.
Brand availability is another factor. Some older imported doors use odd spring sizes no longer stocked in Australia. Custom winding or shipping can take a week and add 70 or more. Local brands with current distributor networks keep parts costs lower.
Access can alter labour time. Low ceiling garages restrict shaft extraction and can force the technician to dismantle track bracing to release the spring. Tight side clearances slow extension spring replacement because the cables are harder to hook. Each extra thirty minutes translates to another forty to seventy five on the bill depending on hourly rate.
Bundled repairs can save money. Replacing rollers or hinges while the door is already apart often costs only the extra parts because the labour overlaps with spring work. Waiting until those small items fail later means another call out fee.
Time Required for Spring Replacement
Most metro jobs wrap up in ninety minutes including safety checks. The process includes disconnecting the opener, clamping the door, releasing tension, removing the old spring, installing and winding the new one, setting cable tension, re engaging the opener, then running balance tests. Double spring systems add about thirty minutes. If the shaft is seized by rust or bearings need replacement extra time is required. Even with delays the majority of repairs finish within a single morning visit allowing the household to resume normal use before lunch.
Saving Money Without Cutting Corners
Preventive maintenance is the single best cost control. An annual service that lubricates bearings, checks cable wear, and measures spring tension costs around 120 and can extend spring life by several years. Homeowners can apply silicone spray to hinges and rollers every three months to reduce friction though they should never oil the spring coils directly as this attracts dust and accelerates wear.
Collecting at least two written quotes ensures transparency. When comparing make sure the spring cycle rating and warranty length match. A cheaper quote that uses a low cycle spring can end up costing more within a few years.
Investing in high cycle springs is wise for busy households. Doubling the cycle rating rarely doubles the price so the cost per opening falls. Many technicians also discount the second spring on double door systems when both are replaced together because the labour overlaps.
Some insurers cover motor burnout but not spring breakage so check your policy. Upgrading cover for mechanical parts can offset future expenses though each policy differs.
Sample Quotes From Major Cities
The figures below are real anonymised quotes issued in December 2024 for a standard Colorbond single sectional door with a broken right wound torsion spring.
| City | Call out fee | Parts and labour | Total quoted |
| Sydney | 80 | 240 | 320 |
| Melbourne | 75 | 230 | 305 |
| Brisbane | 70 | 235 | 305 |
| Perth | 85 | 245 | 330 |
| Adelaide | 65 | 225 | 290 |
Prices include GST and a twelve month workmanship warranty. Differences reflect local labour rates, warehouse distance, and traffic related travel time.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Australian Consumer Law sets a general standard that goods and services must be supplied with due care and fit for purpose. If a newly installed spring fails prematurely the homeowner can request a remedy under sections covering acceptable quality. Businesses that ignore mandatory safety standards risk significant penalties. The Work Health and Safety Act also places a duty of care on contractors performing repairs at a residential property, especially if that garage is used to store business stock or serve as a workshop.
Standard AS NZS 4505 specifies performance requirements for garage doors including spring safety. Compliance is not optional when issuing a structural warranty. Homeowners should therefore keep copies of invoices and any compliance certificates issued by the technician. These records become valuable if a later claim arises for door failure or property damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do garage door springs last in Australia
A standard torsion spring rated for thirty thousand cycles will last seven to twelve years in an average household that opens the door six times daily. Extension springs often give similar service life but can fatigue sooner if not correctly balanced.
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring
Manual lifting a sectional door without a spring is unsafe and can injure your back. Operating the electric opener will strain gears and can burn out the motor. It is best to leave the door closed until a technician attends.
Are spring repairs covered by home insurance
Most standard policies treat spring wear as maintenance. Damage resulting from a broken spring, such as the door falling on a car, may be covered depending on policy wording. Always confirm with your insurer.
Do both springs need replacement at the same time
On a double spring setup the intact spring has already completed the same cycle count as the broken one so replacing both maintains balance and usually costs less than a second call out later.
What does emergency after hours service cost
Expect to pay an elevated call out of around 150 and a higher hourly rate. A typical metro after hours repair sits between 320 and 500 for a single spring.
When Repair Is no Longer Enough
Repeated spring failures can signal a deeper problem. Sagging panels, track misalignment, or an underpowered opener may be overloading the system. If the door itself shows significant rust or timber rot a full replacement can be more economical. As a rule when the combined cost of spring replacement, roller changes, and opener upgrade approaches half the price of a new insulated door it is time to consider replacement. New doors also carry modern safety features such as automatic reversal sensors and sealed bearings that cut long term maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Garage door spring repair is one of those tasks that blends mechanical skill with strict safety rules. The typical Australian homeowner will face the expense only once or twice over the life of a door yet the need always seems to strike at an inconvenient moment. Knowing that a standard repair should fall within the mid three hundreds in most cities and understanding the factors that drive price gives you the power to negotiate and budget with confidence. Prioritise a qualified technician who follows AS NZS 4505, keep your service records, and invest in preventive care. In doing so you will spend less over the long run and your garage door will reward you with years of smooth, quiet operation.
