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How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Garage Door Track?

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The cost to repair a garage door track can be between $125 and $300 depending on the work involved and your zip code.

If your garage door sticks or tends to jerk while moving up or down, then you may have a problem with the track(s). The track may be out of alignment, or it may have been damaged resulting in it being bent out of shape. Whatever the case, the situation should be remedied as soon as possible to prevent problems later.

Read on to find out what you need to know about repairing garage door tracks, the costs involved, and whether you should need a repair or have it replaced.

Understanding the average garage door track repair costs.

Professional labor costs.

If you hire a professional company to repair your garage door track, the labor cost can vary depending on geographical location. For example, a single garage door track repair in the zip code 47474 can cost between $191 and $369.

Replacement parts costs.

Any parts that need to be replaced during the repair will add to the overall cost. Rollers, hinges, support brackets, and track sections can add from $5 to $100+ to the cost of the repair.

Other costs to take into consideration.

If you are planning to have repairs done to the garage door, any extra costs that may be incurred should be investigated. If the repair is an emergency because of safety or security reasons, then expect to pay not only a call-out fee but increased labor rates for same-day service.

Cost factors for garage door track repairs.

Several factors will have an impact on the cost of garage door repairs such as:

Track type.

There are two types of tracks—horizontal and vertical. Each one involves different repairs and associated costs. The horizontal track sections can be replaced more easily than the vertical sections because vertical track repairs involve removing the door, while horizontal sections don’t.

The extent of the damage.

Repairing the components of a garage door, including the tracks, can be relatively inexpensive depending on the damage. But, if there is considerable damage to the track causing more damage to rollers, brackets, and hinges, then replacing these parts will cost more.

Door material.

Wood, metal, and fiberglass are the most common materials for garage doors. Each one has advantages and replacement, or repair costs vary from $150 to $550 for fiberglass and between $250 to $1,000 for wood according to Forbes Home. Because wooden doors are the heaviest, the components used must be stronger and will raise the overall cost of any repair.

Labor charges.

Your location will have an impact on labor charges, but an average price of $75 to $150 per hour should cover most areas. You may be able to find a company that will charge a $50 to $75 service fee for a simple repair, but if you are in a remote area, then the charges may be higher.

Extra repairs.

If the damage to the track has been severe, then there may be damage to other components like the rollers, cables, hinges, and springs. If this is the case, then these will probably have to be either repaired or replaced incurring extra work and other charges.

Guarantee.

Many companies will offer a guarantee or warranty for any work they perform. If they do, read the paperwork carefully as some may only offer a warranty on labor and not parts. Conversely, a warranty may cover parts only or parts and labor for a specific period after the job is complete.

Your location.

Your address can play a large part in calculating the price of any repairs. Labor prices in cities and other highly populated areas are generally more than if you live in a rural area, but you may be charged extra if the company’s technician must travel outside their normal work area.

Garage door types.

Sectional.

Sectional garage doors are the most popular type in the United States. Made with multiple panels connected by hinges. When opening and closing, wheels or rollers at the end of each panel ride inside a track found at each side of the garage door opening.

Roller doors.

Not generally found in a residential setting, roller doors are designed for applications that have limited ceiling space. Rather than sliding up and into the garage close to the ceiling, this type of door has small sections or panels that roll around a drum just above the door opening.

Up and over.

Made in one piece, as the name suggests, up-and-over garage doors have a hinge mechanism that pivots the door up and inside the garage ending parallel to the garage ceiling. However, they protrude outside the garage when open.

Side-hinged.

Resembling two large standard doors, side-hinged garage doors have hinges on each side of the garage door frame and can be bought with pre-hung frames to be retrofitted into existing garage door openings.

Tilt-up.

Tilt-up garage doors, while like the up and over type, fully retract inside the garage. This is achieved by the door having an independent suspension configuration that keeps it separate from the door frame.

Broken or damaged garage door track causes.

Installation or set-up errors.

If the installation or set-up of the garage tracks was done incorrectly, not only will they be constantly under stress caused by the door opening and closing, but the weight of the door may result in the rollers coming off the track or damaging the track pieces.

Age/wear and tear.

A garage door is probably the most used door in the home. Opening and closing several times a day leads to rollers wearing out, debris becoming lodged in the tracks and other problems that start small and insignificant, but eventually become major defects requiring repair or replacement.

Weather Conditions.

Ever-changing weather conditions influence garage doors and their associated parts. Temperature changes, snow, dirt, wind, and rain can cause the metal to rust. Rollers and hinges become rusty and if not treated will not move freely, adding unwanted friction as the door moves up and down. This damages the tracks, making them move out of alignment.

Physical Damage.

Accidents can happen when you least expect them. Anything that strikes the garage door track can lead to problems. Perhaps you misjudged the distance between the track and your vehicle and hit the track, or when moving heavy objects in the garage something hit the track forceful enough to damage the track.

Lack of maintenance.

Not performing routine lubrication to the door tracks can put them at risk of bending because of constant use, friction between the rollers and the track, and components rubbing against each other.

Professional repairs or DIY.

Advantages of DIY.

Saving on costs.

Performing repairs yourself will certainly save money if the repairs are within your skills. You will save on any call-out charges, hourly labor rates, and perhaps some parts that you already have in your garage.

Convenient.

DIY repairs mean you can do the work when it is convenient for you and not when a garage repair company can come and do the repairs. You are not at the mercy of a garage technician who may or may not turn up when promised.

Learning curve.

As you perform the repairs you will gain knowledge of how to do the job successfully. If you follow instructions, and there are many helpful tips available online, then you should be able to do simple repairs without much trouble.

A sense of achievement.

Doing the repairs yourself, and doing them successfully, will give you a sense of personal satisfaction knowing that “I did that” without calling in a professional.

Disadvantages of DIY.

Staying safe.

Your garage door could weigh upwards of 400 lbs. and doing any DIY repairs could result in significant injury. If you are working on the tracks, there is a distinct possibility that the door could fall causing more damage, not only to the door and tracks but to whoever is doing the work.

Inexperience.

Unless you have done repairs on your garage door before then you may, because of lack of experience, find yourself in the middle of the job and have no idea how to finish it. Parts may need to be replaced and you may not know where to get them, or how they should be fitted.

Warranty issues.

Something to bear in mind is that any repairs performed on any part of the garage door that are not done by a professional company may void any warranty that may be in force.

Time constraints.

You may only have the weekend to reduce your “honey-do” list and depending on the extent of the repairs needed to the track, a weekend may not be long enough. Unfortunately, if the repairs require the garage door to be open, then you can’t leave the job unfinished.

Costly errors.

Track repairs can lead to some costly mistakes. Bolts can get stripped by using the wrong tools. If the track is out of alignment, then trying to get it corrected may mean a whole new track if it isn’t done properly.

Advantages of using a professional repair service.

Safety concerns.

Every year hundreds of homeowners are injured working on garage doors, mainly due to not understanding the construction of a garage door and its complex components. Professional repair companies know how to repair the door, tracks, and other moving parts while always staying safe.

Knowledge.

Performing repairs may seem a simple matter, but you should remember there may be more to it than first thought. Replacing parts may solve the problem, to begin with, but are they the correct parts? Did you tighten everything enough to ensure smooth operation? Experts have the knowledge to fulfill the task correctly and safely.

Superior work.

By hiring a professional, you are going to end up with a quality result. They can evaluate the problem and come up with a solution that will satisfy the most discriminating of clients, and most garage door repair service companies carry all the parts necessary to effect repairs to most problems.

Guarantee.

A reputable garage door service company will offer a guarantee or warranty on any work they do and may offer an added warranty on the parts they use in addition to any existing manufacturer’s warranty.

Convenience.

Doing the job yourself can give you a sense of pride, but using a professional service means that you don’t have to do all the heavy work, or deal with any of the stress connected with making sure everything is done correctly.

Disadvantages of using a professional repair service.

Financial concerns.

One disadvantage of using a professional repair service is the cost. By doing the repairs yourself you will incur costs for any parts needed, but your labor is free, unlike professional repair companies who can charge between $37-$115 per hour according to thumbtack.com. There may be a call-out charge or mileage charges if you are out of their normal service area.

Appointments.

Unless you have an emergency, in which case you can use the services of an emergency repair company, you are at the mercy of whoever does the scheduling for the company you call. You may have to wait a few days or even a few weeks before someone can get to you to make the repairs.

Relying on someone else.

By using a professional repair service, you are placing your trust in an unknown entity, unless you have used them previously and know the quality of their work. You may need the job done as soon as possible because of security reasons, but you can’t get anyone to come and do the work, so you are at the mercy of any company that will take on the job.

Future repairs may be needed.

Sadly, every industry has its unscrupulous participants, and if the company you hire is not well-known, but it is the only one you can get to do your repairs, then you may face further repairs in the future. Your garage door track may be repaired, but other components may have been jeopardized during the process. Make sure you do some research on whichever company you hire to perform any repairs, so you are not going to incur extra charges down the road.

Fixing a broken or damaged garage door track-Some common solutions.

If your door track has been hit by something and has dents in it, then you can use a rubber mallet or a small hammer and a piece of wood to straighten the dents out.

Mounting brackets can become loose over time making the track slip out of line. With a wrench or socket set, tighten the brackets to the door frame or the ceiling/wall supports.

Preparing for a professional repair appointment.

Once you know the day and time the technician will be at your home, begin to clear as much of the area next to the track as possible. Any items you store in the garage next to the walls should be moved away to give the technician a clear path to work. If you are being charged by the hour, then you don’t want to have to pay for time spent clearing boxes or other items out of the way before the job can get started.

Tips for ensuring track repairs are properly completed.

Look carefully at the repair. Does it look okay? Are there any missing screws or bolts? Are the sections all lined up? If after careful inspection you think all is well, then you should test the door. Open and close it several times, listening to the door as it travels along the track. Are there any “funny” noises, or does it travel smoother and quieter than it did before? Make sure none of the wheels or bearings stick, and the door opens and closes without any problems.

Frequently Asked Questions.

How much does it cost to fix a garage door track?

The cost to repair a garage door track, according to homeguide.com, can be between $125 and $300 depending on the work involved and your zip code.

How do I fix my garage door track?

Depending on the problem, you may be able to fix the track by examining the good side of the door track and following what is not damaged on that track. For example, if the track has become bent, then with a hammer or rubber mallet you should be able to hit i8t back into shape or alignment.

Can garage door tracks be replaced?

Garage door tracks can be replaced, but it is time-consuming and cannot be done by one person. In most cases, the door must be removed and then the tracks can be replaced.

How much does a bent garage door track cost?

Replacement garage door tracks can vary in price from $125 to $200 for material only.

Garage door panel repair cost.

On average, a garage door panel costs $1,200, with a price range of $400 to $2,400 depending on the material required and your geographical location.

Automatic garage door repair cost.

Automatic garage door repair costs can be in the price range of $75 to $300 depending on the type of opener and the components needed.

Garage door sensor repair cost.

Replacing or repairing a garage door sensor will cost approximately $80 to $100 plus labor.

Hourly rate for garage door repair.

The average hourly rate to hire a professional garage door repair company is between $75 and $150.