Written by

Tom Grupa

April 5, 2023

Garage Door Opener Installation Cost

The average cost to install a garage door opener is $250 to $500, including labor and the opener. Installation labor costs $130 to $200, while the garage door opener itself costs around $120 to $300. Prices depend on the opener brand, model, power, and garage door type.

Cost Factors To Replace Garage Door Opener

The cost to replace a garage door opener depends on the brand, model, power, and type of garage door you have:

• Basic installations do not usually include removal of an old unit.

• Installation prices are similar at many home improvement stores.

What Accounts For The Difference In Cost?

Costs depend primarily on:

• Belt drive vs. chain drive (chain drive is cheaper but much noisier)

• Noise level (tied to the drive type)

• Horsepower—from 1/3 HP to 2 HP

• Clicker, remote, keypad

• Brand

Other factors and options include Wi-Fi/smartphone capability, automatic locking, battery backup, overhead lights, security cameras, and warranty length.

How Long Does A Garage Door Opener Last?

A garage door opener lasts 10 to 15 years on average, 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.

Types of Garage Door Openers

There are four types of openers. Each has its own pros and cons, depending on the location of your garage. A less expensive but noisy chain-drive opener may be fine in an unattached garage, while quieter options are better for attached garages.

Chain-Drive Openers

A chain-drive opener costs $120 to $270 and is the most economical but noisy option. 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.

Belt-Drive Openers

A belt-drive opener costs $180 to $350. A belt drive has 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 and noise with rubber, and fewer moving parts mean less maintenance. A belt-driven opener is a good choice if your garage is close to living quarters.

Screw-Driven Openers

A screw-drive opener costs $200 to $275. A metal screw rod rotates, pulling the door up and lowering it when activated. A screw-drive opener is very quiet with few moving parts. It requires little maintenance, except for twice-yearly lubrication with silicone.

Direct-Drive Openers

A direct-drive garage door opener costs $270 to $450 and is the simplest of all opener types. The motor itself opens and closes the door. There is no chain, belt, or screw. A direct-drive opener is quiet and nearly maintenance-free with so few moving parts.

Garage Door Opener Cost by Brand

The following table shows the average prices for popular brands:

Garage Door Opener Warranty

Warranties vary based on brand. The following table shows warranties offered by some of the top brands.

Labor Cost To Replace Garage Door Opener

Labor to replace a garage door opener costs $130 to $200, not including the cost of the opener itself. The project takes approximately 2 hours and costs $60 to $100 per hour.

Some installations require an electrician to install a plug or wiring in the garage ceiling before you install the opener. Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour.

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. Check with your installer.

New Garage Door Installation

The cost to install a new garage door is $800 to $1,800 for a standard 2-car model, depending on the style, size, and quality. Installing a single-car garage door costs $550 to $1,300. This price includes the door, labor, tracks, and materials.

Garage Door Opener Components

Clickers, Remotes, or Keypads

A new garage door opener typically comes with one or two remotes and a clicker to open from the inside. The average cost to purchase a replacement remote is $25 to $40, while a keypad costs $25 to $60.

Connectivity

As technology advances, more companies are offering smart Wi-Fi enabled garage door openers. The garage door can be opened or closed via a smartphone app 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 cost $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 for 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 usually costs $50 to $150 installed.

Sensors

Per Federal law, garage door openers made after 1993 must include sensors. Openers come with one of two kinds of sensors, and some models include both types.

• 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, the door stops immediately.

Both types of sensors should be checked periodically to confirm they're 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 to $100 each.

Automatic Locking

An automatic lock will lock the garage door every time it closes, providing increased home security. This can be added to an existing garage door for around $85, but it is also available in openers from brands like Chamberlain and Liftmaster.

Battery Backup

A battery backup for a garage door opener costs $95 as an aftermark accessory. If you are shopping for a new opener, brands like Chamberlain include a backup battery with some of their products, starting at $250. Without a battery backup, you will not be able to open your garage door if the power goes out.

Security Camera

In addition to features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity being added to garage door openers, manufacturers like Ryobi are adding optional extras like a security camera for around $100, 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.

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 1/2 horsepower. Heavy or large garage doors 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 typically be enough to open your garage door.

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, the weight ranges from 400 to 600 pounds. You need a garage door opener that is heavy-duty enough to handle the weight with no strain.

The number of times you'll use the opener per day also impacts the required horsepower. 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. 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 lbs. (non-insulated) or 85 to 90 lbs.(insulated)

• 25-gauge metal, 16’ wide by 7’ tall = 150 to 160 lbs. (non-insulated) or 165 to 180 lbs. (insulated)

• For heavy wooden doors, single doors start at 130 lbs. and go to 300+ pounds.

• A double door with windows and an all-glass double door will likely be over 400 lbs.

Noise Level

If your garage shares walls with living spaces like a bedroom or living room, select a quieter belt-, screw- or direct-drive garage door opener.

With a chain drive, as the door is raised or lowered, the vibrations of the drive mechanism with the chain will be quite noisy. Chain drives are better for detached garages.

DIY Installing an Opener

You can install a garage door opener yourself if you have the necessary mechanical, electrical, and carpentry skills. DIY garage door opener installation takes 4 to 6 hours, while a professional can do the job 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 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.

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 in years past. Security is a bigger concern, and a smartphone-based garage door opener will offer solutions to security concerns with light sensors and automatic locking.

Hiring a garage door opener company

When hiring a garage door company near you, be sure to:

• Get three estimates to compare. Confirm the estimates include openers with comparable features.

• Select companies that are licensed, bonded, insured, and have been in business 5+ years.

• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

• Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.

• Never pay in cash or pay before the work is complete.