Quick Reference: 2026 Repair Costs (UK)
| Repair Type | Typical Cost (inc. labour) |
|---|---|
| Call-out fee (Selcce) | From £30 |
| Spring replacement (single) | £120 – £220 |
| Spring replacement (pair) | £200 – £350 |
| Cable repair or replacement | £80 – £160 |
| Track realignment | £100 – £200 |
| Roller replacement | £90 – £200 |
| Safety sensor repair | £80 – £180 |
| Remote control replacement | £40 – £120 |
| Motor repair | £180 – £320 |
| Motor replacement | £280 – £500 |
| Panel repair (minor dent) | £80 – £180 |
| Full door replacement | £695 – £2,500+ |
Prices are indicative for the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area in 2026. Labour rates in London and the South East are typically 30–50% higher.
What Affects the Cost of a Garage Door Repair?
Several factors influence how much you'll pay. The most significant is the type of repair — springs and motors carry higher parts costs than cables or rollers. But the door type matters too: an automated sectional door has more components than a basic up-and-over, so the same "broken spring" problem might take longer to fix on a more complex mechanism.
Labour rates by region
In Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the wider North, you can generally expect labour rates of £40–£70 per hour. In the South East and London, those rates rise to £80–£120 per hour for the same work. That's why a spring replacement that costs £180 in Hull might cost £320 in Surrey.
Call-out fees
Most engineers charge a call-out fee on top of the repair cost. Typical call-outs run £40–£80 across the UK, though some companies waive the fee if you proceed with the repair. At Selcce, our call-out starts from £30 within a 30-mile radius of Barton upon Humber (DN18).
Parts quality
Generic parts will lower your upfront cost but may fail sooner. If your engineer uses branded springs from Hormann or Garador rather than unbranded equivalents, you'll pay more — but the lifespan is typically 2–3× longer. For a door you use twice a day, it's usually worth it.
Spring Replacement: The Most Common Call-Out
Broken springs account for a significant proportion of all emergency call-outs. Springs are under enormous tension and have a finite cycle life — typically 10,000–20,000 open/close cycles, or roughly 7–14 years on an average residential door.
When a spring breaks, it usually does so with a loud bang. The door may drop suddenly, become extremely heavy, or refuse to open at all. Do not attempt to operate a door with a broken spring — the counterbalance is lost and the door can fall unexpectedly.
⚠ Safety warning: Never attempt to replace garage door springs yourself. Springs store enormous tension — a slip can cause serious injury. This is one repair that must always be done by a qualified engineer with the correct tools.
If both springs are the same age (as is usually the case), it's worth replacing both at the same time. The second spring is likely to fail shortly after the first, and doing both in one visit saves a second call-out fee.
Cable Replacement: Often Overlooked
Lift cables run from the bottom of the door up through a drum at the top, balancing the weight of the door against the spring tension. They're under load every time you open or close the door, and they do wear — particularly in damp environments where corrosion accelerates the process.
A snapped cable will cause the door to hang at an angle or fall to one side. Like springs, cables should be replaced in pairs. The cost is lower than a spring replacement — typically £80–£160 including labour — and the job is usually straightforward for an experienced engineer.
Motor and Automation Repairs
Electric motors can fail in several ways: a complete unit failure (rare but costly), a logic board fault (moderate cost), or a limit switch issue (usually inexpensive). Remote control problems are often diagnosed as motor faults but are sometimes just a matter of reprogramming or replacing the remote itself.
Before calling out an engineer for a motor issue, it's worth checking:
- The remote battery (more common than people expect)
- Whether the door is physically obstructed on its tracks
- Whether the manual release cord has been pulled (there's usually a red cord hanging from the motor unit)
- Whether the wall-mounted button still works — if it does, the motor is fine and only the remote needs attention
Repair or Replace?
The general rule is: if the cost of repair exceeds 50–60% of a new door price, a replacement is worth considering. That said, a well-maintained door in good structural condition is often worth repairing even at higher cost — particularly for insulated sectional or quality roller doors where the door itself may be worth £1,500–£3,000.
If your door is more than 15–20 years old and developing multiple faults, replacement is usually the wiser investment. Modern insulated doors are significantly more thermally efficient and secure than doors from that era, and the energy savings can contribute meaningfully to offsetting the cost over time.
How to Get a Fair Quote
A few things to look for when getting a repair quote:
- The engineer should inspect the door before quoting — avoid any company that gives a fixed price without seeing the problem
- Parts and labour should be itemised separately
- Ask whether the parts carry a warranty (reputable suppliers will offer 12 months minimum)
- Check that the engineer is insured and that their work is guaranteed
"We always quote before starting work and carry an extensive range of parts so that most repairs are completed in a single visit — no second call-out, no waiting for parts to arrive."
If you're based in Hull, East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire or North Lincolnshire and need a repair, our emergency repair service covers the area with a call-out from £30. We carry common spares and aim for same-day completion on most jobs. Get in touch for a quote — there's no obligation.