How Long to Install a Garage Door Opener
Garage Door Opener Installation Cost
The average cost to install a garage door opener ranges from $127 to $199, while the garage door opener itself costs around $120 to $288. This brings us to a total cost of between $247 and $487 to install your garage door opener. Prices vary depending on the brand, model, power, and type of garage door you have.
| National Average Cost | $327 |
| Minimum Cost | $217 |
| Maximum Cost | $638 |
| Average Range | $247 to $487 |
Today's garage doors need an opener, and our busy lifestyles demand it as well. We only have a certain amount of time in the day, and having to spend part of it standing in the rain, unloading groceries, or running back and forth from the kitchen to the car is not in our schedule. A push of the button opens the garage door; we drive in and push the button again, and we're home.
Table Of Contents
- Installation Cost
- Cost Factors
- Types of Openers
- Chain Driven
- Belt Driven
- Screw Driven
- Direct Drive
- Opener Cost by Brand
- Labor Cost To Replace
- Remotes, Lighting, & Accessories
- What Size Do I Need?
- DIY Installing an Opener
- How To Get Started
- Garage Door Installation Near Me
Cost Factors To Replace Garage Door Opener
Prices for garage door openers vary depending on the brand, model, power, and type of garage door you have, but installation prices start at $127 with an average price of $199 in most states. Basic installations do not usually include removal of an old unit, so be sure you ask your pro what's included in the install. Installation prices are similar at many home improvement stores.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chain-Driven | $275 – $600 |
| Belt-Driven | $275 – $725 |
| Screw-Driven | $350 – $650 |
| Direct-Drive / Wall-Mounted | $400 – $800 |
First, you'll need the opener itself, and there are many different options. At Home Depot, garage door opener prices range from $120 to $439.[2]
What Accounts For The Difference In Cost?
- Belt drive vs. chain drive (chain drive is cheaper)
- Noise level (tied to drive)
- Horsepower—from 2 HP to ½ HP
- Clicker, remote, keypad
- Brand
Additional cost factors and accessories we will discuss are Wi-Fi/smartphone-enabled, automatic locking, battery backup, overhead lights, security camera, and warranty length.
How Long Does A Garage Door Opener Last?
On average, a garage door opener will last 10 to 15 years depending on the horsepower of the opener, the weight of the garage door, and how many times it has been opened and closed. Most openers are rated for opening and closing 10,000 times. The less strain and the fewer times you use your opener, the longer it will last.
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Types of Garage Door Openers
There are four main types of openers. Each has its own particular set of pros and cons, based on the location of your garage. An unattached garage can work perfectly fine with a noisy, but less expensive, chain-drive opener. If your garage is attached, you'll want one of the other three types of openers that are much quieter.
| Opener Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chain-driven | $119 – $268 |
| Belt-driven | $180 – $344 |
| Screw-driven | $208 – $274 |
| Direct-drive | $269 – $439 |
Chain-Drive Openers
$119 to $268
This is the most economical option, mainly because it's noisy. It's comprised of a metal chain that drives a trolley which raises and lowers the garage door. With all the moving parts, it can need more maintenance than some of the other options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Economical Easy to install Reliable | Very noisy Doesn't usually have a battery backup Must be lubricated on a regular basis to avoid rust |
Belt-Drive Openers
$180 to $344
A belt drive operates with a steel reinforced rubber belt with nubby teeth on one side which runs through the gear that raises and lowers the door. There is far less vibration with rubber, therefore less noise. Fewer moving parts mean less maintenance, which is a good thing. The belt-driven opener is a good choice if your garage is close to living quarters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Noise level is low Doesn't need a lot of maintenance Can be hooked up to the internet or into your home network Battery backup | Installation is a little more complicated Costs more than a chain drive The belt may wear out faster than a chain drive Extreme heat or very high humidity can cause the belt to slip |
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Screw-Driven Openers
$208 to $274
In this option, a metal screw rod will rotate, pulling the door up and lowering it when activated. It's a very quiet garage door opener with few moving parts, and it also requires little maintenance, except for twice-yearly lubrication with silicone because of the metal-on-metal action it goes through.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quiet Smooth operation Simple concept means less maintenance | More expensive than chain or belt drives Units can be sensitive to significant fluctuations in temperature |
Direct-Drive Openers
$269 to $439
This is the simplest of all openers. The motor itself opens and closes the door. There is no chain, belt, or screw—just the motor working. It's quiet and nearly maintenance free with so few moving parts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Nearly noiseless Has both automatic reverse and sensor safety systems Strong | More expensive |
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Garage Door Opener Cost by Brand
While not in order of reviewed performance but by sales numbers, the best brands and their average prices are:
| Brand | Price[3] |
|---|---|
| Chamberlain | $128 – $268 |
| Ryobi | $198 – $347 |
| Craftsman | $99 – $249 |
| Sommer | $295 – $358 |
| Genie | $128 – $373 |
Garage Door Opener Warranty
Warranties vary from the different brands of openers. Following is a list of what some of the top brands offer.
| Brand | Parts | Motor | Drive Mechanism | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain | 3 years | Lifetime | 1 year | |
| Genie | 1 to 5 years | 5 to 7 years | Belt 15 years to lifetime Chain 5 years | 1 year |
| Skylink | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Decko | 1 year | Lifetime | 1 year | 1 year |
| Liftmaster | 5 to 10 years | 5 to 10 years | 5 to 10 years | 5 to 10 years |
| Sommer | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 2 years |
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Labor Cost To Replace Garage Door Opener
Unless explicitly indicated at the time of purchase, installation for your opener will typically cost extra. The average cost to install a garage door opener ranges from $127 to $199, not including the cost of the opener itself. The installation will take approximately 2 hours and cost $60 to $100 per hour.
In some cases, you may need to hire an electrician to install a plug at the top of your garage before you install the opener. This will cost an additional $100 to $200 and add around an hour of labor.
Additional Installation Costs
- Removal of your old garage door opener.
- If your garage door is higher than 7 ft., it will probably require an extension kit, which could add $50 to your bill. [4] Check with your installer.
New Garage Door Installation
Nationally, the average cost to install a new garage door is $1,020 with most homeowners spending between $878–$1,420, depending on the style, size, and quality you choose. Installing a single car garage door could cost as little as $500 to $800. This price includes the doors, labor, tracks, and materials.
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Garage Door Opener Components
Clickers, Remotes, or Keypads
A new garage door opener will usually come with one or two remotes and a clicker to open from the inside. The average cost to purchase a replacement remote is between $24 and $39, while a keypad costs $26 to $60.
Connectivity
As technology advances, more companies are offering smart Wi-Fi enabled garage door openers. They can be opened or closed by using an app on your smartphone or Bluetooth technology. These options also allow you to open and close your garage door while you're at work or on your way home.
Another benefit is being able to incorporate your garage door opener into your home network, responding to commands such as, "Hey Google...", or "Alexa, open the garage door." You can also be notified if your garage door is opened when you're not at home. Garage door openers will this capability usually cost around $150 to $400.
Lighting
Garage door openers nearly always come with lights. Look for the option to operate them independently from the opener remote or keypad. Typically the light will stay on 30 seconds or more which is long enough for you to see before you get inside. If your garage door opener does not come with lighting, an add-on installation usually costs $50 to $150.
Sensors
It has been Federal law since 1993 that garage door openers are supplied with sensors. Openers come with one of two kinds of sensors. (Some openers have both sensors.)
- Automatic reverse – will stop the motion of the garage door if it comes in contact with anything, and immediately start going the opposite direction.
- Laser – this safety feature shoots a laser across the path of the garage door, and if anything interrupts that light, it stops immediately.
Both types of sensors should be checked periodically to be sure they are still working correctly. Test them by placing an object in their path, or disrupting the beam of light. If the garage door fails the test, call your garage door company immediately. Garage door sensors can be purchased separately for around $50-$100 each.
Automatic Locking
For homeowners looking to add more security to their home, adding an automatic lock to the equation will accomplish this by locking the garage door every time it closes. This can be added to an existing garage door for around $85, but it is also available from brands like Chamberlain and Liftmaster.
Battery Backup
If the power goes out at your house and you have a garage door opener installed, you will not be able to open your garage door without battery backup. You can add this as an aftermarket accessory for around $95, or if you are shopping for a new opener, brands like Chamberlain include a backup battery with some of their products, starting at $244.
Security Camera
In addition to features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity being added to garage door openers, more and more manufacturers like Ryobi are adding optional extras like a security camera for around $99, allowing homeowners the ability to monitor their garage.
Accessories
According to Lowes, here are some other features you can look out for if you are shopping for a garage door opener.
- Miniature keychain remotes that fit in a pocket.
- Vehicle compatibility allows operation of the opener from controls built into some vehicles.
- Auto-close functionality lowers a garage door automatically after a pre-programmed period of time.
- Soft-start/stop motors reduce wear and tear on the opener and make operation quieter.
- Motion-sensing security lights operate automatically.
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What Size Garage Door Opener Do I Need?
The lowest power motor in a garage door opener is 1/3 horsepower, and the most commonly installed garage door opener has a little more power at ½ horsepower. Heavy or large garage doors will need a 3/4 horsepower. Garage doors range from lightweight aluminum to heavy wood, but because most garage doors are counterbalanced, any horsepower level will be enough to open your garage doors.
Horsepower Needed By Garage Door Size and Weight
A garage door weighs at least 130 pounds for a single door, and 350 pounds or more for a double door with windows. For an all-glass contemporary double door, weight ranges from 400 to 600 pounds. You need a garage door opener that is heavy duty enough to handle that weight with no strain.
| Horsepower | Door Width | Door Height | Door Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3 HP | 8 feet | 7 to 8 feet | up to 150 pounds |
| ½ HP | up to 10 feet | 7 to 8 feet | 150 to 300 pounds |
| ¾ HP | up to 16 feet | 7 to 8 feet | up to 300 pounds |
| 1 to 2 HP | wider than 16 feet | 7 to 8 feet | up to 400 pounds |
So, it's not necessarily the size and weight of your garage door that will determine how much horsepower you need but the number of times you will use the opener per day. The higher the horsepower, the longer your opener should last when the door is balanced correctly.
A garage door opens and closes an estimated 1,500 times a year. Most garage door openers are rated for opening and closing 10,000 times during the life of the opener, and the less strain you put on the opener each time, the longer it will last.
Average Door Weights
- 25-gauge metal, 8' wide by 7' tall = 75 to 80 pounds, or between 85 and 90 pounds if they are insulated.
- 25-gauge metal, 16' wide by 7' tall = 150 to 160 lbs., or between 165 and 180 lbs. if they are insulated.
- For heavy wooden doors, single doors can start at 130 lbs. and go to 300 or more pounds.
- A double door with windows and an all-glass double door will likely be over 400 lbs.
Noise Level
A belt drive is quieter than a chain drive. Chains make noise and are excellent for detached garages. With a chain drive, as the door is raised or lowered, the vibrations of the drive mechanism with the chain will be quite noisy. But if your garage is sharing walls with living spaces like a bedroom or living room, you'll want the quieter belt-, screw- or direct-drive garage door opener.
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DIY Installing an Opener
Can you install the garage door opener yourself or do you have to hire a professional? It depends. You should have excellent skills in all things mechanical and carpentry related. Usually, a DIY garage door opener installation job will take between 4 and 6 hours, while a professional can have it ready for use in as little as 80 minutes.
While the garage door itself is already installed, it must be balanced and synchronized with the tracks of the garage door opener. A professional installer does this every day and has the experience needed to accomplish this task. Aligning the rail tracks can also present some fairly tricky problems.
If you're determined to do this project yourself, be sure to remove any cords or ropes that might be attached to your garage door or the opener, deactivate all locks currently installed, affix to the ceiling joists and not just to sheetrock, and connect the safety rope to the emergency release for the disconnect.
Is LiftMaster a good garage door opener?
LiftMaster is not on the top five list of popular garage door openers, but it offers a 5- to 10-year warranty on its parts, motor, drive mechanism, and accessories.
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How To Get Started
Having a garage door opener is no longer the luxury it used to be. Garage doors are heavier and more sophisticated than they used to be. Security is a bigger concern, and a smartphone-based garage door opener will offer solutions to security concerns with light sensors and automatic locking.
Steps To Install New Garage Door Opener
- Figure out what size garage door opener you need.
- Compare types, brands, warranties, pricing, and features.
- Make sure you are prepared and have an electrical plug at the top of your garage.
- Find a professional and schedule an install.
- Come home to a brand new garage door opener.
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted garage door opener installation services:
Get free estimates
[1] https://www.homedepot.com/services/garage-door-opener-installation/
[2] https://www.homedepot.com/s/garage%2520door%2520opener?NCNI-5
[3] Prices from Home Depot, Sears, and Lowe's online
[4] https://www.consumersearch.com/garage-door-openers/how-to-buy-a-garage-door-opener
How Long to Install a Garage Door Opener
Source: https://homeguide.com/costs/garage-door-opener-installation-cost