True Cost Guide Painting Paint a Garage Door

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Garage Door?

Typical Range:

$100 - $230

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Published October 28, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Expect to pay an average of $165 to paint a single-car garage door. You can pay anywhere between $100 and $230 for a door of this size. The larger the door, the more you'll pay, with typical costs of $1 to $4 per square foot. For example, while a single garage door may cost as little as $100 to paint, a three-car garage door can cost up to $680.

Average Garage Door Painting Costs

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$165	$230	$100

Cost to Paint a Garage Door per Square Foot

Typically, painting a garage door costs between $1 and $4 per square foot. The exact figure depends on the paint type and quality, labor costs, and how much preparation the door needs before it's ready for painting. Heavy oxidation, excessive dirt, and ground-in grime will result in more cleaning time and, therefore, a higher fee.

Garage Door Painting Cost by Door Type

As with any garage costs—whether repairs, new construction, or adding a new garage door—prices vary based on the size of the garage. While some local exterior painting pros charge by the square foot or square inch, many charge a flat fee based on the type of garage door for something as uniform in size as a garage door. A single-car garage, for example, costs less to paint than a three-door.

Type of Garage Door	Typical Cost to Paint Garage Door
Single-car	$100 – $230
Two-car	$120 – $500
Three-car	$170 – $680

Find a Local Garage Painter for Your Project

Garage Door Painting Cost Breakdown

The cost to paint a garage door is split between materials and labor, with the cost of hiring a painter making up the bulk of the project price.

Materials

The paint and supplies needed to complete a garage door painting project usually cost around $25 to $50. Most pros already have all the cleaning and painting equipment they need, so paint is one of the only consumables they'll add to your bill.

Labor

Expect to pay a handyperson around $55 to $75 per hour or to pay an exterior painting pro $25 to $100 per hour. Most garage door painting jobs take between 4 and 8 hours to complete, but this varies considerably based on the size of your garage and how much cleaning and priming is necessary before painting can begin.

If the door has a heavy build-up of dirt and lots of peeling paint, it requires pressure washing and paint removal, followed by drying and priming. If there's a lot of rust, the pro will remove as much as possible and, if necessary, fill in any holes or pits left behind before sealing and priming the area, then beginning to paint. The more prep work needed, the more you'll pay in labor costs.

Other Garage Door Painting Cost Factors

Alongside painting your garage door, it may be a good time to perform routine maintenance on the door and the rest of the garage. Consider whether the garage door track and fittings are in good condition, whether you need to replace the handle and locks, and if the rest of the garage could use some work, too.

Garage Door Maintenance

Regular garage door maintenance costs very little compared to having to make major repairs or replace the door altogether. Simple garage door maintenance tips can extend the life of your garage door and help you to avoid costly repairs. They include, but aren’t limited to:

Keeping the tracks clean
Watching for signs of wear and rust
Spotting and correcting an unbalanced door
Lubricating the rollers, tracks, and pulleys

Garage Door Repair

Garage door repair costs range from $80 to $650. And it makes sense to have repairs taken care of before you update the paintwork to avoid scratches and chips in the new surface. Particularly if the repair involves removing a dent or replacing a door panel. You may also want to update the hardware, replacing your current lock, if necessary. Consider whether you want to boost convenience by having an automatic garage door opener installed.

Painting the Whole Garage

To paint your garage, expect to pay between $2 and $6 per square foot, and installing new siding costs anywhere from $2 to $50 per square foot. If you're updating the paint on the garage door, you may want to give your whole garage a new coat of paint or make repairs to or replace the siding on your garage.

DIY Garage Painting vs. Hiring a Pro

Painting a garage door is a DIY-friendly job—as long as you have the right tools and skills. If you have appropriate cleaning supplies, a roller or sprayer, paint, and primer, you can DIY. This will save you between $25 and $100 per hour. However, savings are somewhat offset by the fact that you'll need to pay for any equipment you don't already have, as well as paying retail for consumables like paint, primer, and masking tape.

If you want the job done quickly with a professional finish, it's best to call a garage painting pro to complete the job. Or, if it's for your business, consider covering the cost of a commercial exterior painter instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it to paint a garage door?

Yes, painting an old, worn garage door is worth the effort and cost. A new garage door costs $750 to $1,700; painting costs from $100. If finished to a high standard, a new coat of paint can elevate your garage's look and your home's overall curb appeal. Plus, using primer and anti-rust paint can significantly extend your garage door's life. Even if you have rust already present, you can clean it off, fill the hole (if necessary), and prime and paint over the top.

Should you spray or roll paint a garage door?

Spray painting a garage door is generally faster and easier and delivers a better finish. Most modern garages have lots of panels and angles that make it tough to get a consistent finish with a roller or a brush, so using a paint sprayer makes more sense. Using a sprayer, you get an even paint distribution and can ensure paint uniformly covers all the edges, angles, and raised or depressed panels.

Do you need to sand a garage door before painting?

It's usually a good idea to sand a garage door before painting. First, you need to clean the surface and remove any flaking, peeling, or bubbling paint and rust spots. Once that's taken care of, it's a good idea to go over the surface with coarse sandpaper to remove any lingering debris and to roughen the surface so that the paint can adhere to it easily.

Do you need to prime a garage door before painting?

You don't technically have to prime a garage door before painting it, but it's a good idea. Particularly if you've also got some rusty spots. Using anti-rust primer can help to prevent further rust issues for longer than just using anti-rust paint alone. Plus, primer helps the paint to stick better and keeps the paintwork in better shape for longer.