Call now if…
- A car you need is trapped inside
- The door is stuck open and the house isn't secure overnight
- The door is hanging crooked or partly open and could fall
- Someone is hurt. Call 911 first
It can usually wait until morning if…
- The door is fully closed and the house is secure
- You don't need the car before business hours
Why wait? This Old House notes that scheduling outside business hours or on weekends "can sometimes double your bill", with the example of a $300 weekday spring job that may double for emergency weekend service (This Old House, updated May 29, 2026).
What to do right now
- Unplug the opener so nobody presses the button
- Keep kids, pets and cars away from the door
- Take photos of the springs above the door and the sides of the door, then text them for a quote
Don't
- Lift the door by hand
- Pull the red release cord: with a broken spring, the door can drop
- Touch the springs, cables or bottom brackets. They're under high tension
Typical cost once someone's there: $300–$540 installed (This Old House, updated Mar 10, 2026). Try the 10-second door checker if you're not sure it's the spring.