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Garage door cable replacement is a repair service that involves removing worn, frayed, or snapped lift cables and installing new ones to restore safe operation. In Calgary, this service typically costs $250–$290 + GST when both cables are replaced together, which is the recommended approach. At Calgary Garage Door Fix, we provide same-day cable replacement with a one-year warranty on parts and labor—call (403) 990-9536 and a technician can be at your door within 2 hours.
Garage door cables are steel wire ropes that work together with your torsion springs to lift and lower the door safely. On a standard residential garage door weighing 150-250 pounds, the cables bear the full weight of the door every time it opens and closes.
Here’s how the system works:
The torsion spring (mounted above the door) stores energy when the door closes. When you activate the opener, the spring releases that energy, and the cables—wrapped around drums at each end of the spring shaft—unspool to guide the door up along the tracks. Without functioning cables, the spring has no way to transfer its lifting power to the door.
Most Calgary homes have one of two cable setups:
Torsion cable system: Cables attach to the bottom brackets and wind around drums at the top. This is the most common setup (approximately 85% of the doors we service in Calgary).
Extension spring system: Cables run through pulleys and connect to the track. More common in older Calgary homes built before 1990.
Not sure if your cable is the problem? Here are the most common signs we see from our 32,000+ service calls across Calgary:
Door won’t open at all — If the opener runs but the door doesn’t move, a snapped cable is the most likely cause
What we see most often in Calgary:
Based on our repair data, approximately 60% of cable failures in Calgary happen during the winter months (November–March). The combination of extreme cold causing metal fatigue and road salt accelerating corrosion creates the perfect conditions for cable failure.
| Service | Price (+ GST) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Both cables replaced (standard torsion) | $250–$290 | Full inspection, lubrication, tune-up, 1-year warranty |
| Both Cables and Brackets (reinforced torsion) | $380 | Full inspection, lubrication, tune-up, 5-years warranty |
| Single cable (if applicable) | Not recommended | We replace both—see why below |
| Emergency/after-hours | Same price | No emergency fees |
Even if only one cable has snapped, we strongly recommend replacing both at the same time. Here’s why:
We’ve positioned our pricing to be competitive with Calgary’s market while using higher-quality components. Based on quotes our customers have shared with us:
No hidden fees. No surprises.
The price we quote is the price you pay. Our technicians confirm the final cost before any work begins, and we don’t charge extra for same-day service, evenings, or weekends.
Based on our repair data, approximately 60% of cable failures in Calgary happen during the winter months (November–March). The combination of extreme cold causing metal fatigue and road salt accelerating corrosion creates the perfect conditions for cable failure.
Here’s exactly what happens when you book a cable replacement with Calgary Garage Door Fix:
1. Book your appointment Call us at (403) 990-9536 or use our online booking. We’ll ask a few questions to confirm the issue and provide an accurate quote before dispatching a technician.
2. Technician arrival (within 2 hours for most Calgary areas) Our fully-equipped service van arrives with all standard cable sizes in stock. The technician will introduce themselves, confirm the quoted price, and explain what they’ll be doing.
3. Safety inspection Before starting, we inspect the entire door system—not just the cables. We check springs, rollers, hinges, tracks, and the opener to identify any related issues.
4. Cable replacement (30-60 minutes) The technician will:
5. Complimentary tune-up Every cable replacement includes lubrication of all moving parts, tightening of loose hardware, and minor adjustments at no extra charge.
6. Final walkthrough We test the door multiple times, demonstrate proper operation, and answer any questions. You’ll receive a warranty card covering parts and labor for one full year.
Total time on-site: Typically 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on door type and any additional issues discovered.
Understanding why cables fail can help you prevent future problems. Based on our experience with over 32,000 Calgary garage doors, here are the most common causes:
1. Normal wear and tear Garage door cables are rated for approximately 10,000–15,000 cycles (one cycle = one open + one close). For an average Calgary household using the garage 4 times daily, that’s roughly 7–10 years of lifespan.
2. Rust and corrosion Calgary’s climate is particularly hard on cables. Road salt tracked in on vehicles during winter, combined with temperature fluctuations causing condensation, accelerates corrosion. We see this most often in:
3. Improper spring tension When springs lose tension over time, cables compensate by bearing more weight than designed. This accelerates wear and increases the risk of sudden failure.
4. Pulley or drum issues Worn pulleys or damaged drums cause cables to fray prematurely. During every cable replacement, we inspect these components and recommend replacement if needed.
5. Poor-quality original cables Many new Calgary homes are built with the cheapest possible components. Builder-grade cables often fail within 3-5 years—far short of their expected lifespan.
6. Lack of maintenance Annual garage door maintenance ($120 at Calgary Garage Door Fix) includes cable inspection and lubrication, which can extend cable life significantly.
The numbers speak for themselves:
What makes us different:
✓ Transparent pricing — Know the cost before we arrive
✓ No upselling — We fix what’s broken, nothing more
✓ Rust-resistant cables — Built for Calgary’s climate
✓ Complimentary tune-up — Every visit includes full system maintenance
✓ Local family business — Not a franchise, not a call center
Our cable replacement specialists:
Our technicians—including Yurii, Yulii, Mack, Vadim, Gage, and Yoav—are fully trained in all garage door systems. They carry all standard cable sizes in their service vehicles and can complete most replacements in a single visit.
We provide same-day cable replacement service throughout Calgary and surrounding communities:
Calgary Quadrants:
Surrounding Areas: Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, Okotoks, and Langdon
Don’t wait for a broken cable to leave you stranded. Call Calgary Garage Door Fix at (403) 990-9536 for same-day service, or book online now.
Cable replacement: $250–$290 + GST | 1-Year Warranty | No Emergency Fees
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan Klugman | Founder, Calgary Garage Door Fix
Stan has over 15 years of experience in the garage door industry and has personally overseen more than 32,000 residential and commercial repairs across Calgary. Calgary Garage Door Fix is a BBB-accredited business and holds registered trademarks in both Canada (TMA1352082) and the United States (98141232).