We get to understand the Real Garage Door Opener Installation Cost in 2024.
Gone are the days when a garage door opener used to be one of life’s luxuries. It is now a necessity. Apart from being convenient, a garage door opener provides safety and security for your home.
It also eliminates the hassle of getting out of your car to open the garage door. The good thing is that it is not crazy expensive to install. In fact, garage door opener installation costs can be cheap if you do all the work yourself.
The rough estimate of the garage door opener installation cost is $200–$600.
This variation in cost is due to many factors, including the type of garage door opener, the brand, horsepower rating, labor, remotes and keypads, geographical location, and other cost considerations.
We will discuss them in detail in the next section.
How Much Would You Spend on Garage Door Opener Installation?
Installation costs can be split into two categories: the cost of the device and the labor cost. Of course, there are other minor costs, such as remotes and keypads, additional lighting, and sensors.
The average device cost is around $120–$300, depending on the type and horsepower (we will cover these cost differentiators later).
In terms of labor cost, it will narrow down to who is installing it. If you want to avoid mistakes during the installation and use of a garage door opener, it is better to let a professional do the job.
Some of the things that the professional will do for you include:
- Preparing all the necessary installation components
- Getting rid of the old opener
- Installation of a new garage door opener
- Testing and running the opener and accessories like remotes
On average, the labor cost will vary from $130 to $200 for a two-hour job. If you can do the above yourself, you will eliminate this cost.
Garage Door Opener Installation Cost: Influential Factors
1. Brand
While most manufacturers deliver quality garage door openers, each brand tends to have its pros and cons. They also vary in terms of price.
For instance, a popular brand like Genie garage door opener will cost $115–$250. Other popular brands, like Liftmaster, can charge $165–$300.
2. Type of opener
As you buy your opener, keep in mind that the installation costs will vary depending on the type and brand of opener you choose.
For instance, a chain-driven garage door opener costs between $150 and $350, while a screw-driven opener costs $180 to $300.
You might need a direct-drive or jackshaft-drive opener for optimal convenience and security. These two are noise-free and low-maintenance, but they are slightly expensive.
For instance, a jackshaft-drive opener, mounted on your garage ceiling, costs around $500–$750.
3. Horsepower Rating
Another factor that determines the garage door opener installation cost is horsepower. Your garage door opener’s horsepower rating is its lifting capacity.
So, if you have a heavy and large garage door, you may need more horsepower. Generally, you should ensure that you buy an opener with enough horsepower, not just the bare minimum.
4. Labor cost
If you hire a professional to replace your opener, you will pay around $65–$85 per hour.
Sometimes, you may require more than one professional to install the garage door opener, which can push up the garage door opener installation cost. For instance, if lighting is involved, you may need an electrician.
5. Connectivity
Connectivity is also crucial in determining the installation cost. Modern garage door openers have smart WiFi built into them.
This way, you can open and close the garage door via Bluetooth or a smartphone app. Besides this, you can incorporate your garage door into your smart home ecosystem.
So, you can open and close your door using voice commands supported by intelligent assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Garage doors with this capability will cost $200–$400.
6. Garage Door Opener Components
Besides the garage door opener device, you may also need to buy additional components at an extra cost. These components include:
- Remote and keypad: By default, you need a remote to open and close a garage door. Unfortunately, some openers may not come with a remote, so you must buy one. A universal remote will cost around $25–50. Besides the remote, you may also need a keypad. A keypad will control the opening and closing of the garage door via a PIN. You can set aside $30–$70 for the keypad.
- Additional lighting: New models of garage door openers come with additional lighting capabilities. This new addition will cost $50–$100 plus additional labor costs for the electrician, who usually charges $65 per hour.
- Door sensors: Garage door sensors prevent your door from uncontrollably closing. So, you can add them for $50–$100.
- Automatic Locking: You can add this feature to your existing garage door so that it locks whenever it closes. This addition will cost you $85.
- Battery backup: Additional battery backup for your garage door opener will cost around $95.
- Security camera: Besides sensors, you also need extra security cameras to monitor your garage. This optional extra will cost $100.
- Extension kit: Taller garage doors may require an extension kit to enable you to install your garage door opener.
Besides the above factors, you also have to consider the maintenance cost. The good thing is that some garage door types are low-maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The obvious sign is that you should replace your door if it stops working altogether. Besides this, there are a few red flags that you should watch out for.
For instance, if your garage door opener works intermittently, starts to produce a louder noise than usual, opens and closes randomly, or if the door detaches from the opener, that should tell you that it’s time to replace the opener.
If you have had your garage door opener for more than 15 years, then you should consider replacing it.
Installation can easily get pricier when you consider the various minor costs associated with the installation.
So, adjusting where you can to bring down the cost makes perfect sense. Thankfully, there are several ways to bring down the garage door installation cost.
Of course, you can buy a cheaper garage door opener, but there are better ways to reduce garage door opener installation costs without compromising on quality.
Here are some of them:
– Check the horsepower: You don’t need to invest in a powerful opener if you have a light garage door.
– Compare several quotes: Before you purchase a garage door opener, get at least three quotes from reputable companies. This way, you can choose the one that fits your budget.
– Consult local home improvement stores: Some stores may install a garage door opener at a discount if you buy the opener or garage door from them. You can request a package discount if you buy a new garage door.
– Consult your homeowner’s insurance: If you replace a garage door and opener because of damage from natural hazards such as a storm, you may qualify for insurance compensation.
– Let the contractor purchase the opener: Sometimes, installation contractors may know how to get the best one at a discount, thus passing on the savings to you.
The simplicity or difficulty of installing a door opener will depend on the type of opener you are installing.
Generally, the process is straightforward. But expect to do and pay more for an opener with sophisticated features like automated movable parts and locking.
Typically, a WiFi opener with a backup battery is simpler than hardwired garage door openers.
Furthermore, smart garage door openers are easy to use. With just an app, you can control the garage door’s functionality. Unfortunately, this convenience and simplicity come at an added cost.
When it comes to garage door opener installation, you have two options:
– Do It Yourself (DIY): If you have electrical, carpentry, and mechanical skills, the DIY option would be ideal. It is a more affordable option to install a garage door opener.
But you should remember that it is not a task to take lightly. The garage door should be balanced and configured to fit the tracks of the opener. Poor and hurried installation of high-tension springs can cause unnecessary injuries or even death.
– Hire a Professional: A novice DIYer would take time to learn, install, and reinstall a garage door opener. They will also have to assemble the necessary tools for installation. By contrast, a professional already has the necessary tools and takes less than two hours to complete the project. Another drawback of DIY installation is that the warranty does not cover it. That is why most homeowners prefer hiring a professional.
There is no single best device. But most people prefer the ones that require less effort and maintenance to operate.
But in most cases, it is the one that matches your door size and settings. Some garage door openers are suitable for larger and heavier doors, while others are less noisy, like direct-driven openers.
So, you will have to consider what works best for you.
Conclusion
Installing a garage door opener costs around $200 to $600, depending on horsepower, type, and other features.
Expect to spend less if you choose a 1⁄2 HP chain-drive door opener or if you are installing it yourself. You can spend more than $1,000 on the higher end for a professionally installed 2HP direct-drive or jackshaft-drive opener with smart features.
Related post: The Real Cost to Replace Your Garage Door Opener
