Cost to Replace a Garage Door: Door, Opener, Removal
A typical garage door replacement costs {cost:garage-door:mid} before tax. Here's how door width, opener and old-door removal change the quote.
Replacing a garage door typically costs $2,300 before GST/HST, with most quotes landing between $1,800 – $3,000. Basic doors start around $1,450, and premium doors reach $4,000. The final figure depends on three choices that are easy to overlook: single or double width, manual or electric opener, and whether the old door is removed and hauled away.
Our general cost guide is at Garage door. This article shows how those three choices add up, so you can compare a contractor's line items against a realistic total.
How we build the numbers
We estimate labour hours multiplied by local rates, then add materials. We check the result against market prices and real quotes. Each of the options below is a separate input to that calculation, which is why two quotes for "a garage door" can differ by thousands of dollars.
Single door or double door
Width is the biggest driver after material. A double door needs more panel, a longer track, heavier springs and usually two installers. It also needs a stronger header and more careful balancing.
- Single door: less material, quicker install, often a one-person or short two-person job.
- Double door: more of everything, and the spring and track hardware is heavier.
If you are building a quote comparison, make sure both contractors priced the same width. The "single or double" choice is the first line to check.
Door type and material
The door itself is a large part of the total. Here is what a typical mid-range job costs with each style:
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel sectional, non-insulated | $1,450 | $1,150 – $1,900 | 20-30 years |
| Insulated steel sectional | $2,300 | $1,800 – $3,000 | 20-30 years |
| Wood-look composite | $3,450 | $2,700 – $4,500 | – |
| Aluminum and glass (full view) | $4,400 | $3,450 – $5,700 | – |
| Wood | $5,350 | $4,150 – $6,950 | 15-30 years |
Some points to weigh:
- Basic non-insulated steel is the cheapest, but it dents easily and does little for a cold garage.
- Insulated steel, at $2,300, is the usual choice for attached garages in a Canadian winter, since it keeps the shared wall to the house warmer.
- Wood, at $5,350, and full-view glass, at $4,400, cost more and need more upkeep or specialist hardware.
Manual or electric opener
Many people assume an opener is a small add-on. It is a separate line on the quote, and it changes the total.
- Manual: no motor, no wiring. Works for a rarely used door or a detached shed-style garage.
- Electric opener with remotes: a mid-range electric setup comes in at $2,900, compared with $2,300 for a manual door.
An electric opener needs power at the ceiling. If there is no outlet nearby, an electrician has to add one. Electrical work in Canada needs licensed trades and usually a permit, so ask whether the quote covers that or leaves it to you. In Ontario, a licensed electrical contractor files the notification or permit with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
Removing the old door
Removal is the line most often left off a first estimate. The old door is heavy, the springs are under tension, and the sections have to be taken to a disposal site. We price the two cases separately:
- $2,300 when the old door is taken down and disposed of.
- $2,150 when there is no old door, such as a new opening.
If a quote does not say "remove and dispose", ask. Otherwise you may be left with a pile of panels in the driveway, or a surprise charge on the day.
Putting the total together
Use this as a checklist when you read a quote:
- Door width: single or double.
- Door type: steel, insulated steel, wood, wood-look composite or glass.
- Opener: manual, or electric with remotes.
- Old door: removed and hauled away, or not.
- Extra work: new power outlet, trim or framing repair around the opening.
- GST/HST: our figures are before tax, so add it on top (13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in Alberta).
A quote that lists all five items is easier to compare than a single lump sum.
Extras that raise the price
Some things are not in a standard estimate and are worth asking about:
- Damaged or rotted framing around the opening.
- A new power outlet for the opener.
- Upgraded springs or tracks for a heavy wood or glass door.
- Weatherstripping or a new threshold seal.
None of these is unusual, but each can add to a bill that looked complete.
Is my quote fair?
If you already have a quote, our "is my quote fair" tool lets you compare it with the live figures for your region. Enter the door type, width, opener and removal choice, and check whether any line looks high or is missing.
Related guides
If you are updating the exterior at the same time, these guides may help:
- Siding replacement, for the wall around the door.
- Window replacement, if you are replacing other openings on the same job.
- EV charger installation, since the garage is often where a charger goes, and an electrician can often add an outlet and a charger in one visit.
Bottom line
Budget $2,300 for a typical replacement, and expect the range of $1,800 – $3,000. Confirm the width, the door material, the opener and the removal of the old door in writing. Once those four are settled, the quotes become easy to compare.