2026-08-10 7 min read
A customer called last Tuesday morning. Her garage door wouldn't budge, and she'd heard a loud bang the night before. Within five minutes, I knew it was a snapped torsion spring. She was convinced it would cost a fortune. The honest answer? A single spring replacement runs between $150 and $300 here in Dunstable, depending on the type and your door's weight. That's not cheap, but it's straightforward and worth fixing fast.
Your garage door springs are under constant tension. A typical torsion spring bears around 200 pounds of force. Over time, metal fatigues. Springs last roughly 7 to 9 years under normal use. Winter weather in Massachusetts doesn't help, either. Cold temperatures make metal more brittle. A sudden impact or poor maintenance can accelerate failure.
When a spring snaps, your door becomes a dead weight. The opener can't lift it. Some people try to force it anyway. That's dangerous and wastes energy. If you hear a loud crack or twang from your garage, stop using the door and call a professional.
Extension springs run along the sides of your door. They're typically found on lighter residential doors. Torsion springs sit above the door on a metal shaft. They're more common on heavier doors and are generally safer because they're contained.
Both types fail eventually. Torsion springs tend to last slightly longer because they distribute force more evenly. The cost difference between replacing one and the other is usually minimal. The real cost driver is labor, not the spring itself.
**Need garage door springs in Dunstable today?** Call (978) 338-7441. we cover same-day service across the area.
Here's where honest pricing matters. A snapped spring repair includes three things: the spring itself (around $75 to $150), labor (typically $100 to $200), and any additional parts like wire rope or brackets.
Some companies mark up springs heavily. We don't. We charge fair labor rates because we've been doing this for years and we move efficiently. A same-day estimate call takes ten minutes. We show up, inspect, and quote you before any work starts.
If both springs need replacement (common on older doors), expect to budget $300 to $500 total. It's not fun, but ignoring a broken spring will damage your opener next. Then you're looking at $800 to $1,500 for a new one.
Regular maintenance catches problems early. That's why we always recommend checking your springs and cables during your annual inspection. We've written more on garage door maintenance in Dunstable if you want a full seasonal checklist.
I see homeowners on YouTube trying to replace springs themselves. I understand the temptation to save money. Don't do it.
Springs are wound under extreme pressure. If you slip with a tool, you can break bones or worse. We've seen injuries that could've been fatal. The equipment costs money too. A proper winding bar runs $30 to $50, and you need the right setup to stay safe.
Our team handles this work every week. We have the tools, the insurance, and the muscle memory to do it right. That's worth the labor cost. Your safety is not the place to cut corners.
If one spring has snapped, the other is likely close behind, especially if your door is more than 7 years old. Replacing just one buys you maybe six months. Both at once is smarter economics.
For more detail on this decision, see our post about when to repair versus replace garage door springs in Dunstable.
If your door is old and springs fail often, a full door replacement might make sense long-term. New doors come with better springs rated for 10,000 to 20,000 cycles. They also improve insulation and security. But that's a bigger conversation.
If you've got a snapped spring, stop using the door today. Don't try to open it manually and don't force the opener. Call us at (978) 338-7441 for a free estimate. We'll tell you exactly what's needed and what it costs before we touch anything.
We serve Dunstable and surrounding towns across the region. Same-day service is available most days. You won't wait weeks for a repair. We understand how much you rely on your garage door, and we move fast without cutting corners.
Schedule a free quote online or call. Either way, you'll get an honest assessment and a fair price.
How long do garage door springs typically last? Most torsion and extension springs last 7 to 9 years with normal use. Frequency depends on how often you open and close the door (typically 3 to 5 cycles daily). Extreme weather can shorten lifespan.
Can I use my garage door if one spring is broken? No. A broken spring removes critical counterbalance. The opener will struggle and may burn out. Manual operation is dangerous. Stop using the door until it's fixed.
Why do springs snap in winter? Cold metal becomes more brittle. Metal contracts in low temperatures, increasing internal stress. A minor strain that's harmless in summer can cause failure in January.
How much does spring replacement cost in Dunstable? Single spring: $200 to $300 installed. Both springs: $350 to $500. Costs vary by spring type and door weight. Call (978) 338-7441 for an exact quote.
Should I replace both springs at once? If one has snapped and your door is over 6 years old, yes. The second spring is likely worn too. Replacing both avoids a second service call in months.