A common question we get from Denver homeowners is whether to repair their existing garage door or to have it replaced. Most companies give advice to their customers that serves their best interest. In our case as a repair company most of our work consists of repairing garage doors, therefore we would advise replacement in circumstances where repair would cost more than replacing the door.
The Case for Repair
Repair is usually the better option when the door itself is structurally sound and just a few parts have gone bad. The majority of parts on a garage door can be repaired including: springs, cables, rollers, tracks, garage door sensors and openers. A door with a broken spring or a failed opener does not need to be replaced, it can be repaired.
A garage door that is less than 10 years old with good panels and a sturdy frame is a candidate for repair rather than replacement. By repairing a single component, you can extend the life of the rest of the door.
In addition, an older door can often be cost-effectively repaired. As an example, a 15 year old door that has a broken spring and some worn rollers can cost anywhere from $300 to $400 to repair, as opposed to installing a brand new garage door which can cost from $800 to $2,500 for a single car garage.
The Case for Replacement
While a Repair is usually cheaper in the short term than a complete Replacement, there are some situations in which it is better to go with a complete Replacement instead of continuous Repairs on an old door.
Multiple parts are failing. If you are replacing the springs this year, the cables last year, and the rollers the year before that, and the garage door opener is getting old too, then you might be spending more money for a series of repairs than it would cost to replace the entire door.
The door has some structural damage. A door with severely bent or warped panels, a damaged frame, or sections of the door that have been severely damaged in an accident are good candidates for replacement. Cosmetic damage to individual panels can be repaired with new panels, but structural damage to the door or frame typically requires replacement of the entire door.
The door is old. Typically most garage doors have a life span of 20 to 30 years. As your door gets into the later years of its life, you can start to experience problems with multiple parts of the door simultaneously. Often it is more cost effective to replace a door near or past the end of its life, rather than spending money on repairs that will eventually need to be done again.
Another reason for replacement is improved insulation, better appearance or additional functionality. If you have a non-insulated single-layer steel door for example, you might want to improve your garage’s energy efficiency. Same goes for older doors that have an outdated style and do not match with the rest of your home anymore. Even if the door still works, it is better to replace it with a more modern door to improve the curb appeal of your home.
50% Rule – Repair Cost vs. Replacement Cost – The 50% Rule is a guideline used to determine whether it is better to repair or replace a component or system. If the cost of the repair is greater than 50% of the cost of a new replacement, then it is generally better to replace the component or system. This is not a hard and fast rule, but rather a guideline that can be used to make an informed decision.
What We Actually Tell Our Customers
We are a garage door repair service. The majority of our business comes from repairing and servicing existing garage doors and garage door openers, not from installing new ones. So, when we recommend that you replace your existing garage door we have your best interest in mind.
We are a repair company, first and foremost. That is to say, the vast majority of our business is in the repair of existing garage doors. This means that when we recommend a new garage door, it is because we have concluded that it is in the customer’s best interest to do so – financially and otherwise. In the meantime, we will tell you whether or not we think a new garage door is what you need, based on our assessment of the doors that you currently have. If, after our inspection, we do find that you could benefit from the installation of a new door, then we will give you a number of options, each with a price point attached, and it is up to you to decide which door you would like to have installed.
We are a repair company first. We make our living doing repairs and we will always recommend a repair over a replacement when it is in your best interest. When we look at a door and determine that it is near the end of its life and that you would require ongoing repairs at increasing cost, we will recommend a replacement.
The Real Cost Comparison in Denver
The cost of a typical repair job in Denver for a single garage door in Denver would be around $150-$400 for things such as; spring(s), cable(s), roller(s) and other garage door parts.
Price to Install a Garage Door in Denver – Single Car vs. Two Car Garage Doors. Price to fully install a single garage door in Denver, CO is from $800 to $1,500 or so for a high quality insulated steel door. A two car garage door can cost from $1,200 to $2,500 or more to install in Denver, depending on the style, the material(s) and brand(s) of door(s) that you choose.
When comparing the cost of repairs to the cost of a replacement door it is natural to choose the lower price in the short term. The question is whether the repairs will be needed six months from now. The answer is yes if you have a door that is 20 plus years old. As you can see from the prices listed for repair of a garage door above, repairs are less expensive in the short term. However, as the above examples show, there is a time when the cost of repair equals the cost of a replacement door. That time is when the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the cost of a replacement door of similar specifications.
How to Decide
Is your garage door old (less than 15 years old), and sound (in good shape with no structural damage)? Repairs are generally a better bet for older doors with no serious damage. Spending $500 or more per year for repairs over two years or more? Start getting quotes for a few replacement doors to compare to the repair costs you’ve spent so far. The door’s structure is seriously compromised (bent door sections, multiple panel damage, severe hail damage, etc.)? It may be time to consider replacing the door with a better alternative.
We will tell you the truth, and help you make the best decision for your situation. When we recommend replacement of your old garage door, it is because we feel it is in your best interest, not because we want to sell you a new door. We are a repair company, and our average revenue per job comes from completing a repair of a garage door rather than replacing it with a new one.
