Beyond serving as a mere decorative piece, did you know that garage doors can help your house become more energy-efficient?
Homeowners looking for a quick and easy way to improve their home's curb appeal may consider replacing old, worn-out garage doors. Not to mention, it is also an excellent method to boost your property value. If you know your garage door has been around for quite a while now -- or just want unique curb appeal – take it as a sign to get it replaced.
To make the most bang out of your buck, let's discuss all the costs you need to know– including the prices of different garage door types, parts, and labor.
Garage Door Replacement Cost Overview
On average, a garage door replacement cost runs somewhere between $1,021 and $2,091. Getting an estimate from a local garage door installer typically includes removing the existing door, hardware and parts replacement, door material, design, and the local labor rate. Upgrading to an automatic garage door may cost you more than other types– but the convenience and added property value will be worth it in the long run.
If your neighborhood has a homeowner's association, you may be limited to a particular garage door type/design to accommodate local bylaws. So, before you give your door replacement project the green light, it's best to consult your HOA's jurisdiction.
How can a new garage door benefit you? For starters, automatic doors add convenience to your everyday living. You can also host social events in your garage without any hassle and pose a well-kept image of your home to your visitors. Therefore, a garage door can be customized using different materials and styles depending on your intended purpose– all of these hikes up the total costs in the end.
Let's discuss other factors that may affect your garage door replacement expenses in detail. It will help you plan and allocate a sufficient budget for your home improvement project.
Factors Affecting Garage Door Replacement Cost
The total costs of a garage door replacement project will depend on various factors, such as labor expenses, additional features, door removal, and part upgrades. Listed below are some of the most common variables that may hike up the total expenses of replacing your old garage door.
Garage Door Size
The size of your garage door will be unique to your needs, just as every other garage varies in width and length. Pricing a new garage door will heavily depend on the size you need for your space. Here are the standard dimensions for garage doors:
Door Size | Average Costs |
|---|---|
8 x 7 | $540 - $1,215 |
9 x 9 | $608 - $1,350 |
10 x 10 | $662 - $1,485 |
12 x 7 | $675 - $1,755 |
12 x 12 | $810 - $2,025 |
16 x 7 | $878 - $4,860 |
16 x 8 | $945 - $6,750 |
Single Layer vs. Multiple Layers
You can choose from either a single-layer garage door or multiple layered doors with insulation. The most cost-effective choice would be single-layer doors, although they fall behind in durability and sufficient insulation. Multi-layered garage doors (double or triple layers) will cost you more, but they offer long-lasting use and more insulation for your space. It is an excellent feature if you live in a location with a cold climate.
Note that insulation doesn't play a crucial factor in detached garage types, while a well-insulated garage door will benefit you the most if you have a garage attached to the home. It will help you reduce monthly power bills and save money after some time.
Type of Garage Door
There are various types of garage doors to fit your needs, from tilt-up doors to sliding doors. With that in mind, your preferred door type will also hike up the overall expenses accordingly.
Material of Garage Door
Similarly, you can also choose from a wide variety of materials for your new garage door. Budget-friendly options include steel, vinyl, and wood composite. Meanwhile, customized, wooden, and illuminated window garage doors are placed higher on the cost scale. Keep in mind that some door materials may not suit every location. Your contractor will need to follow local building codes in choosing a garage door material.
Here are some of the most popular materials for garage door use:
Style of Garage Door
Like your house's front door, you can also choose from unique styles to improve your garage door's aesthetic and visual appeal. Some patterns can be only pulled off for customized doors, although most stock doors in the market are already available in different designs.
For your reference, here are some of the most popular garage door styles:
Garage Door Locks
To ensure your property's safety, you can choose to install a lock for your automatic garage doors. It will cost you $135 to $473 on average. These locks only allow the doors to open within the house. Hence your items and valuables in the garage will have added protection from theft.
Local Labor Costs
Typically, local contractors require about two to five working hours to complete a garage door replacement at approximately $270 to $675. Do note that their hourly rate will heavily depend on the area's labor costs and the complexity of the project itself.
Installing an automatic garage door requires the services of a licensed electrician to set up the wiring and outlets. Accordingly, it will increase the total costs from $675 to $1,080 and an additional $135 to $250 for the outlet installation.
Necessary Prep Work
The hourly rate for your garage door replacement project may increase depending on the necessary prep work that needs to be done. It includes replacing parts such as brackets, metal cables, or tracks to enable the door's smooth function.
Local contractors usually take care of removing your existing door, but some may charge an additional fee. It's best to talk to your garage service provider about any extra charges.
Brand
Several garage doors brands have been in the market for years, but how do you figure out the best brand with features that best fit all your needs? You can choose from renowned names such as Amarr, Hormann, Clopay, Raynor, and Wayne Dalton.
Keep in mind that each brand comes with its unique sets of pros and cons. To make an informed decision, contact your garage door installer for recommendations.
Garage Door Resizing
If you have recently purchased a boat or a truck, you may need a subsequent garage door resizing. Your contractor will conduct an on-site inspection to measure the door’s dimensions, as well as identifying any structural requirements. Depending on the door size and the scope of the resizing project, this may cost you $675 to $6,800.
Automatic Doors
Switching to automatic doors is considered the most popular upgrade for garage doors. For one, you can enjoy the convenience of opening the doors with just one click of a button.
On average, you will spend about $270 to $675 to make the switch. Keypads are also installed outside the garage space to ensure you still have access even without a remote. Extra remotes will set you back between $20 and $80.
Insulation
Opting for insulated doors can help your home become more energy-efficient, limiting regular temperature swings. Standard garage doors are not designed to have natural heat insulation. Hence, it is also a great feature to consider if your property gets brutally cold in the winter.
Insulation typically runs from $67 to $680. If your garage is attached to the house, consider high R-value insulation material at 12 or more. Don't worry– your contractor can suggest great options for your needs.
Generally, the insulation material comes in sheet form. Your installer can cut the piece into specific sizes to fit the inside panels of your door.
Windows
Several standard garage doors are already built with small, glass windows. However, you may customize your new garage door with windows if it fits your personal preference. The addition of windows will cost you more than doors without one, starting at around $945. You can expect the cost to only increase based on your chosen style and the number of additional windows.
Permits
Replacing old garage doors is considered a minor project. Hence, permits aren't necessarily required. It would still heavily depend on your locality and the extent of the home improvement project, though. Should your contractor need to demolish a part of the wall to resize your garage doors, you might need to secure local building permits.
Fortunately, garage service providers are well-aware of all relevant permits and their associated fees to carry out the project. Building permits will cost you between $54 and $256 on average. High-wind locations such as California, Florida, and Nevada have strict wind-load reinforcement regulations for garage doors. With that in mind, it's best to choose wind-load certified doors.
Lighting
Adding new garage doors sometimes implies the installation of new lighting. Outdoor lights may add an extra $270 to $675 to your total project expenses per fixture.
How can new lights be of benefit? Well, it will brighten up your garage, improve safety, and boost curb appeal.
Customization
If stock door designs do not meet your home's aesthetics, you can opt for customized garage doors, which may set you back anywhere from $1,080 to $13,500. Match your new garage doors with the current design of your household by customizing trim and panels, adding frosted plastic, following rustic barn door styles, or doing colorful murals.
Different customization levels have various price points. Refer to the table below for a quick overview:
Customization Level | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Stock Garage Doors | $337 - $1,080 |
Partially Custom Garage Doors | $1,080 - $3,375 |
Fully Customized Garage Doors | $2,025 - $13,500 |
Suppose budget is not a problem, then there’s no need to compromise your creative vision and personal style. Custom garage doors are undoubtedly unique, although they come at a price. The degree of personalization will also increase the costs further.
Telling Signs You Need a Garage Door Replacement
Standard garage doors will last you a good 30 years or so if you properly maintain them. You don’t have to wait until your old garage doors break down or malfunction before you opt for an upgrade.
Remember, getting automatic doors will increase your home value and present other long-term benefits on reduced energy costs. Here are some telling signs to watch out for in deciding to replace your garage doors:
Should I Hire a Garage Door Replacement Professional?
Technically, you can replace your garage door on your own– but keep in mind that it's not an easy DIY home improvement project. The process involves springs, wires, and other relevant parts. Any mistake may cause severe injury or a potential safety hazard, so you need to handle it cautiously. Not to mention, most garage doors are heavy. Moving it around all by yourself may just put you at risk. It'll also take you at least nine long hours or more to complete the garage door replacement.
It's better to leave the job to the experts in deciding to replace old garage doors. A quick online search for garage door replacement near me will automatically give you several options to consider. Some of the benefits you'll enjoy are saved time, less hassle, and guaranteed safety. Note that the installation process is complex and requires a lot of heavy lifting. Trained professionals offer you the extra attention and vigilance in ensuring that all the wires, pulleys, and wheels in your garage door system work in tandem.
Tips to Save Money on Garage Door Replacement Costs
Truth be told, a new garage door replacement cost can be a rather expensive project.
Now that you've finally decided to push through with installing new doors, here are some simple tips to help you save extra money in the process:
Garage Door Replacement: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I replace my garage door?
A garage door will generally last for 30 years or more when properly maintained regardless of the price. When looking for a replacement, you need to consider having insulation with an R-value of 12 or higher. In addition, a pinch resistance door is beneficial for households with children that can be caught in the door, while tamper resistance may prevent break-ins in your garage.
Is it required to get a Garage Door Opener?
Acquiring a garage door opener only matters if your current one no longer works or the new door you are planning to purchase is heavier than the existing one that you are currently using.
What’s the process in a typical garage door installation project?
The first thing to do in a replacement installation is to inspect the existing garage door’s parts to determine which pieces you can reuse and which you should replace. After the door and new features are ordered, a professional team will install all the new parts and operationalize the garage door system. The new door is leveled while hung to prevent stress and damage to its components.
Is it difficult to replace a garage door?
The simple answer is no. Replacing a garage door must only be done by a certified professional garage door installation service. Attempting to replace it on your own may put you in danger or cost you a considerable amount of money if it goes wrong.
How long does it take to put in a new garage door?
Typically, a professional can install a garage door for only about four hours. However, having special requirements such as installing electrical receptacles for an automatic garage door may extend the duration of the installation.
What is the best residential garage door type?
Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to which is the best garage door. Choosing a residential garage door depends on your needs, home, design, climate, and preference. Each household has different demands and necessities when it comes to a garage door.
Why should I hire a professional to replace my garage doors?
Installing a garage door involves dealing with heavy equipment and the mechanism that operates the door. Improper installation of a garage door may cause you an injury or damage your other property. Meanwhile, garage door specialists are trained to install the door properly and complete with materials and safety equipment that protects them during the installation process.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, new garage doors can add more convenience to our daily lives. Automatic doors, for instance, eliminates the need to physically open the garage every time we need to park after a long day at work.
Not to mention, it also improves the security of your garage, where you primarily store your large mechanical items and lawn equipment.
Compared to other home improvement projects, a garage door replacement is famous for its cost-efficiency and guaranteed ROI. If you know your doors are due to be replaced with new ones, talk to a local garage service professional today!