Repairs and servicing
Is it worth repairing an old garage door?
In the UK, a single fault on an otherwise sound garage door — such as a spring, cable or photocell issue — is usually worth repairing from £80–£350. But once a door is around 15–20 years old with rust, warped panels or multiple faults stacking up, a full replacement from £995 often works out better value over time.
When repair makes sense
If the frame is straight, the panels are not badly corroded, and the fault is isolated to one system — springs, cables, a track, or the operator — repair is almost always the cheaper route. Most individual repairs on a garage door sit well under the cost of a new door, and a well-maintained steel or timber door can keep working for many years past its original fault.
When replacement makes more sense
Warping, rust that has eaten into the panel steel, a frame that has moved out of square, or an old door that has already had two or three separate repairs in quick succession are all signs the underlying structure is failing rather than one component. At that point, further repairs become false economy, and a new door — particularly an insulated sectional or roller — also brings better security and thermal performance than an old single-skin steel door.
| Situation | Typical route | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| One fault, door under 15 years old | Repair | £80–£350 |
| Rust through panel steel | Replace | £995–£4,700 |
| Frame out of square | Replace (frame + door) | £995–£4,700 |
| Multiple faults on same door within a year | Replace | £995–£4,700 |
Repair figures cover common jobs inc. VAT and labour. Replacement figures are single-door installed prices against the 2290mm × 2250mm reference opening, inc. VAT and fitting.
Questions people ask
- Is an old manual door worth converting to electric instead of replacing?
- If the door and frame are sound, a manual-to-electric retrofit typically costs £400–£650 inc. VAT for a single door, which is significantly cheaper than a full replacement and can be a good option if the only issue is convenience rather than the condition of the door itself.
- Does age alone mean a door needs replacing?
- No — age alone is not a reliable indicator. A well-maintained door in a dry garage can outlast a poorly maintained one half its age. Condition of the panels, frame and hardware matters more than the number on the calendar.
- How much does a callout cost just to get an opinion?
- A standard UK call-out fee runs £40–£80, and most engineers will give an honest repair-versus-replace opinion as part of that visit before any further work is agreed.
Related
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