Garages provide protection for your vehicles, storage for your belongings, creative spaces for projects, and more. While storage, flooring, and lighting are all important garage details, doors are among the most critical.
Garage doors provide design and security for your home and the contents of your garage as a whole. Making sure you have quality garage doors can ensure protection and longevity for the garage and everything inside. And if your garage doors haven’t fared well over time, you could benefit from new doors that are built to last.
As a Queensland homeowner, there’s a good chance you’ve got questions since garage door upgrades probably aren’t a regular purchase for you, so it’s natural to wonder how much garage door installation costs.
Like every construction project, prices for garage doors can vary depending on a few different factors. For a start, installation fees are often separate from the cost of the garage doors themselves and can increase depending on the quantity, size, type, and quality of the doors.
On average, you can expect garage door installation costs in Queensland to average $40-50 per hour.
While you should certainly request a quote specific to your home and garage doors from a professional installer, we’ve put together this guide to help you understand the factors that go into garage door installation costs.
Garage door types explained
When it comes to pricing, garage door installation costs will be far less than the cost of the actual doors themselves. And of course, with so many options and variables, the price of garage doors is different from one QLD home to the next.
It’s important to understand your options and how they could affect installation costs once your doors are ready. Depending on the material and size, garage doors themselves may cost anywhere between $600 to $4,600. Quite a wide range, but the type of garage door you invest in has a lot to do with the price.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the primary door types.
Tilt garage doors
Tilt garage doors are single panel doors that tilt up and swing into the garage to open (hence the name).
These old-school garage doors are fairly easy to operate, which is why they’re still popular these days. They’re usually made of steel or aluminum but you can also get them in timber. But because of their design and size, they can be a bit tricky to install.
Sectional garage doors
Sectional garage doors can either be lifted like tilt doors or folded to the side.
As per their name, these doors come in sections made of steel, aluminium, or timber. They also offer some of the most versatility when it comes to styles, from smooth and modern to wood-look, high-grade steel.
Roller garage doors
Roller garage doors are made up of many different sections to allow them to roll open.
Designed with practicality and style in mind, most are made from steel or aluminium. They are less bulky to install since they are lighter weight and come in a number of separate pieces. If you opt for roller doors made of timber, expect the prices to be much higher.
Typical costs for garage doors by type
Let’s talk dollars and sense.
The below table can help you compare garage door costs based on type.
Remember that these prices can vary depending on the material you choose, with wood generally more expensive than steel or aluminium.
| Type | Single Door | Double Door |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt | $1,700 to $2,250 | $2,200 to $2,750 |
| Sectional | $850 to $1,900 | $1,400 to $4,600 |
| Roller | $600 to $1,350 | $1,350 to $1,850 |
What factors impact garage door installation cost?
With your doors picked out, you’ll want to know what to expect when it comes to the cost of installation.
While you might be tempted to try to save by installing on your own, you should opt for a licensed and professional installer. Partnering with the pros means you’ll have the experience and equipment needed to properly handle and hang your doors. While choosing an installation provider will also help protect your investment.
Aside from the type of garage door you opt for, here are the other factors you need to consider when you’re trying to budget for your garage door installation.
#1: Material
The main factor for garage door installation cost will be your choice of material. Do you want a steel garage door instead of wood? Or aluminium instead of vinyl? Not only does the material impact the cost of the door itself, it affects the weight and handling required for installation.
As a general rule, heavier materials are more costly to install. They can take more time or require more workers to move into place properly. Steel is considered the most affordable while wood is generally more expensive.
#2: Size
Door size will also contribute to the cost of a garage door installation. The existing opening or dimensions of your garage will ultimately dictate the garage door size, which varies between homes.
Some Queensland homeowners opt for larger or higher openings to accommodate bigger vehicles, for example. Australian building regulations will also dictate the side clearance room and headroom requirements for the doors and any tracks or equipment.
The type of door can also impact the size of materials. For example, a tilt door made of a single panel will be much more difficult for an installer to maneuver into place. A professional should be able to do this properly, but it could take more time and manpower.
#3: Complexity
Even the most basic-looking garage doors can have hidden complexity to them. If installers have to work in tight spaces, work with custom dimensions, or wait for proper electrical wiring, garage door installation costs can creep up. If additional equipment to move the doors into position, the price can also be affected.
#4: Accessories
There are plenty of extras you can add to your garage door, whether you simply want to make it more functional, add a little more style, or both. Added accessories will cost you more to purchase and install depending on the type.
For example, there are high-tech options such as automatic openers, remote controls, sensors, and integration with mobile applications that will all drive up the installation time. Some installers may also be less familiar with these options, so be sure that you choose properly if these are on your wish list.
MASTERTECH DOORS: If you’re planning on installing two roller garage doors, you can also install a centre mullion or framing element between the two doors. This improves both functionalities by adding more stability to the garage opening and can also be a decorative element.
The price of a centre mullion will depend on the height of your garage door. For 2400mm high centre mullions, the cost ranges from $266 to $289. For 3000mm, it increases from $286 to $309.
How much does it cost to install my new garage doors?
How does all of this add up to installation costs?
The key is that each factor – materials, size, complexity, and accessories – can add to the time it takes to do the actual installation. Installation is typically calculated in terms of hours.
Different garage installers may charge different rates and vary mostly depending on location. When you request an estimate, you’ll want to make sure it reflects the size of your specific garage as well as the precise doors you want to be installed. This will help you base your budget on accurate numbers.
In terms of labor, garage door installation costs $55 per hour on average. Here’s a table of the average cost per hour in different states (so you can see we still beat the Blues):
| State | Average Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Queensland | $40 to $50 |
| Victoria | $50 to $60 |
| New South Wales | $50 to $60 |
| Western Australia | $60 to $70 |
Why should you choose a professional installer instead of hanging garage doors yourself?
Garage door installations can technically become a DIY project.
You might be tempted to do this in order to save, especially if the cost of the doors added up with your material and finish selections. But a project of this kind can take you 8-12 hours, require many extra helpers for unwieldy panels, and damage your doors, home, or yourself if you aren’t familiar with what to do.
In short, DIY garage door installation can end up a huge physical and financial headache.
In contrast, choosing a professional installer offers a number of benefits. While you’ll spend on time and labor, installers have the right equipment and experience to know whether your job needs extra manpower or supplies to do correctly. They will also be well versed in safety best practices. And if you choose a licensed and insured installer, your doors and home will be protected in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with the installation.
Going with a professional installer can also help you with the garage door purchase itself. Many installers are specialists that can recommend the best type of material for your home, location, and climate. They can also take all of the precise measurements to make sure your doors fit securely. When the doors are delivered, they’ll already know exactly which materials and supplies they’ll need to get the job done.
Compared to doing it yourself, most professional installers will only take 2-4 hours to fully install your new garage doors. If your installer knows which doors you have ordered and home measurements, they should be able to provide you with an accurate estimate for labor. You should always ask for an itemised quote so you are clear on the expected garage door installation cost.
How much does garage door repair cost?
Garage doors tend to be long lasting, between 15-30 years, but they do have wearable parts that can become worn with time. How often you use the doors, the impact of climate, and quality of parts can also create the need for repair in time.
If your garage door doesn’t not open or close when it should or if you notice rattling or awkward door movement, you should have a professional take a look. A malfunctioning garage door can be a huge safety hazard.
In some cases, the issue could be covered by a manufacturer or installer warranty. While you may want to attempt the maintenance on your own, it is highly recommended to hire a professional instead.
A typical garage door repair will cost between $140-340 with the price impacted by both time and repair parts.
Below are some of the most common garage door issues that may need to be repaired by a professional:
✘ Not opening or closing properly due to an obstructed sensor
✘ Uneven door movement from faulty springs or tracks
✘ Loud noises during operation that require proper lubricant
✘ Remote controls unresponsive after changing out batteries
✘ Door panels that are warped, bent, split, or otherwise damaged
✘ Degraded weather stripping or sealing that allows weather and pests in
Depending on the material, the cost to repair your garage door will vary. To lessen the costs and frequency of garage door repairs, you should only install the right material for your climate, with hot Queensland summers and coastal salty air to take into account.
MASTERTECH DOORS TIP: Wood tends to be more costly to repair compared to steel or aluminium and can be more difficult to match grain or stain colour over time.
What to ask before hiring a garage door installer
As with any home improvement project, you should do your research and make sure you understand the project, options, and differences between providers. When researching installers, you will want to compare their prices and rates.
Additionally, you should ask the following questions to choose the right professional installer for your project. These questions can have an impact on the quality of work as well as the garage door installation cost.
- “Can you install any garage door based on my specifications?”
- “Do you have experience with the technology accessories I’m after?”
- “Are you registered, licensed, and insured to install garage doors?”
- “How experienced are your garage door installers?”
- “How long do you expect this particular project to take?”
- “Do you have relationships with suppliers or manufacturers?”
- “Will you be able to order garage doors or do they only install?”
- “Can you provide customer testimonials or references?”
- “Do you offer a service plan or workmanship warranty?”
- “Can you provide written and itemised cost estimates?”
Are you ready to upgrade your garage with an affordable and stylish new door?
If your current garage doors are starting to make strange noises, move jarringly, or let in the wind and rain, it might be time to start looking for a modern upgrade.
The costs for the garage doors themselves can vary between $600 to $4,600 depending on materials, types, size, and accessories. These factors also affect garage door installation cost, which is a byproduct of the time it takes to perform the job properly. Any savings you gain from installing doors yourself is likely not worth the time, safety, and warranty you stand to compromise.
Instead, turn to professional installers to get the job done right. Installation typically costs $55 per hour while trustworthy companies will outline all pricing for you in advance, from the doors themselves to the garage door installation cost.
At Mastertech Doors, we have supplied and installed garage doors of all types and sizes throughout Brisbane and the greater Gold Coast for over 15 years. Our fully licensed and insured team can provide you with a fast, free quote for your garage door installation project based on exactly what you want for your home.
Call us on 0497 526 173 to chat with our team today!
