Whatever caused the damage to your garage door, you’re now staring at it every time you pull into your driveway, asking yourself, “How much to replace a garage door panel?” and whether you can afford to fix it.
Here’s the thing about living in New Jersey: everything costs more here than in most places, and garage door repairs are no exception.
But before you start panicking, let’s walk you through what you’re actually facing and why sometimes fixing one panel beats buying a whole new door.
Lets read this blog to learn more about garage doors.
How Much Are You Going to Pay?
Okay, let’s rip the band-aid off.
In New Jersey, you’re looking at anywhere from $350 to $850 for a single panel replacement, and that includes someone coming out to install it.
The breakdown usually works out like this: the panel itself runs $150-$400, depending on what material and style you have. Installation adds another $200-$450.
Should You Even Bother With a Replacement?
This is the conversation every homeowner needs to have with themselves before calling a repair company.
If your door is less than 8 years old and only one panel took a beating, replacement is usually your best bet. You’re looking at maybe $500-$700 compared to $1,800-$3,500 for a completely new door and installation.
But here’s when panel replacement becomes questionable: if multiple panels are damaged, or if you’ve been dealing with track problems. At that point, you’re potentially throwing good money after bad.
Garage doors typically have a lifespan of about 15-25 years, depending on quality and maintenance.
Costs Nobody Warns You About
Panel replacement sounds straightforward until you actually try to do it. Then you discover all the little extras that can turn a $400 repair into a $700 surprise.
- First, most companies won’t sell you just the panel. They want to install it themselves, which makes sense from a liability standpoint, but means you’re paying for labor whether you want to or not.
- Then there’s the color-matching headache. Even if you find the exact panel model, sun fading and weathering mean your new panel will look noticeably different. Some people end up replacing adjacent panels just to avoid the patchwork look.
- Hardware replacement almost always happens. The hinges, rollers, or brackets on your damaged panel have probably taken some abuse, too.
When to Pull the Trigger on This Repair?
Timing your repair matters more than most people realize.
Try to get panel work done in spring or fall if you can swing it. Summer is a busy season for garage door companies; everyone’s dealing with storm damage or finally fixing things they’ve been putting off all winter.
Winter repairs are possible, but can be a pain. If it’s purely cosmetic damage, wait for better weather.
After major storms, good luck getting anyone out quickly. Hurricane Sandy taught a lot of New Jersey residents about the importance of having a relationship with a reliable contractor before you need them.
How to Find Someone Who Won’t Rip You Off
You’ll find no shortage of garage door companies, but quality varies wildly. Some are fantastic, others aren’t.
Ask for references and actually call them. A good company will happily provide contact information for recent customers. If they won’t, that tells you something right there.
Get multiple quotes, but don’t just pick the cheapest one. If one quote is way lower than the others, there’s usually a reason, and it’s rarely a good one. Either they’re cutting corners somewhere, or they’ll hit you with surprise charges once work starts.
Also Read: Signs It’s Time for a Garage Door Repair or Replacement
Professional Garage Door Replacements for the Win!
We get it. You’re handy, you’ve watched the videos, and $300 in labor costs seems excessive. But garage door panel replacements aren’t where you test your DIY skills. Professional installers have specialized tools and know how to safely work around these springs. You don’t.
So, how much to replace a garage door panel in New Jersey? Plan on $350-$850 per panel, including installation.
All Day Garage Doors has been helping New Jersey homeowners navigate these exact decisions for years. We’ll shoot straight with you about whether panel replacement makes sense for your specific situation, or if you’d be better off with a complete door upgrade.
Give us a call today, and we’ll give it to you straight. No beating around the bush.