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Garage Door Installation Cost: Is It Worth It?
A garage door replacement costs between $750 and $1,700 on average, and often earns a high return on investment.
Taylor Getler is a home and mortgages writer for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in outlets such as MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, MSN and Nasdaq. Taylor is enthusiastic about financial literacy and helping consumers make smart, informed choices with their money.
Johanna Arnone helps lead coverage of homeownership and mortgages at NerdWallet. She has more than 15 years' experience in editorial roles, including six years at the helm of Muse, an award-winning science and tech magazine for young readers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Canada's McGill University and a Master of Fine Arts in writing for children and young adults.
Practice making complicated stories easier to understand comes in handy every day as she works to simplify the dizzying steps of buying or selling a home and managing a mortgage. Johanna has also completed coursework in Boston University’s Financial Planning Certificate program. She is based in New Hampshire.
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The cost to replace a garage door typically averages between $750 and $1,700, but can be as low as $250 or as high as $3,000 and up, depending on the size, style and materials.
A single door made of a relatively inexpensive material like steel or aluminum will likely land on the lower end of the scale, while expenses for premium designs (such as a French or carriage style) and high-end materials (like faux wood or composite) can add up.
🤓Nerdy Tip
When a garage door is non-functional due to age or damage, replacing it can give you a high return on your investment — sometimes even more than 100% of the cost. Garage doors make a big impact on curb appeal, which can increase your home value. You’ll likely get the most value with a standard door, rather than high-end materials and premium designs.
Garage doors come in various widths, heights and thicknesses. Thicker doors often provide insulating value. In general, the bigger the door is, the more it will cost.
Below are some common cost considerations that can affect the price, with typical estimates of what you could expect to spend for each type of door. Larger doors, doors made of premium materials and doors with high-end design styles will fall on the higher end of these ranges.
Door size
One-car garage (8 to 10 feet wide): $500 to $3,000.
Two-car garage (12 to 20 feet wide): $800 to $4,900.
Three-car garage (30 to 36 feet wide): $1,400 to $7,200.
Design
Standard panel: $500 to $1,800.
Tilt-up: $400 to $1,600.
Roll-up: $600 to $3,000.
Walk-through: $700 to $6,000.
French: $2,000 to $6,000.
Carriage: $1,200 to $8,000.
Materials
Steel: $650 to $3,200.
Aluminum: $600 to $2,900.
Wood: $900 to $4,500.
Fiberglass: $800 to $2,700.
Vinyl: $800 to $2,500.
Garage door opener
In addition to door replacement, you can expect to spend $100 to $900 to repair or replace a garage door opener.
Labor
Hiring a professional installer may cost about $200 to $500 of the total job, depending on your location and the complexity of the work. If you need to hire an electrician, expect to pay $50 to $100 per hour.
Reasons for garage door replacement
Your current door is damaged. Repairing an old garage door's tracks, springs and rollers can cost hundreds of dollars. If repairs are extensive, you may be better off getting a new door.
You want to increase energy efficiency. If you want to conserve energy, a new garage door with extra insulation may be the answer.
You want more curb appeal. A new garage door may improve the overall appearance of your home and could help to attract buyers if you’re planning to sell.
How to Pay for Home RenovationsBorrow against your home equity or finance with non-equity options like personal loans.
What Reddit users say about garage door replacement
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like home improvement, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about whether a garage door replacement is worth it. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Many Reddit users agree that garage door replacements are worth the cost. Users suggest getting multiple quotes from professionals to compare pricing and to screen for strong communication and high average online reviews to choose the right installer. Reddit users also emphasize that doing a garage door replacement yourself can be costly and dangerous, especially if there’s electrical work involved.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.
Experienced home DIYers can use a kit and a pre-manufactured door to DIY their garage door. You’re less likely to save on costs if you are inexperienced and will need to do a lot of research, as mistakes can be dangerous and expensive to correct. Make sure you understand the type of springs you’re installing and take appropriate precautions to install them correctly.