Installed Cost of Automatic Garage Door Openers
Expect to pay around $435 to have a garage door opener installed by a professional near you. If you choose to install it yourself, you’ll pay around $175 – $225 for a single garage door opener and $215 – $350 for a 2-car garage door opener and hardware.
The average price for pro installation will include a standard garage door opener, hardware for mounting, electrical connectors, removal of the door opener if you have one, as well as cleanup and disposal of the old parts. If this is for a new installation, you may have to pay extra for an electrician to run an outlet into your garage ceiling. These added costs are covered in our related projects section below.
Average Costs
Overview of Garage Door Openers
Having an automatic garage door is a convenience you never really appreciate, unless you’ve never had one. They are one of the most popular home improvements for home buyers with a garage, and also add a small step of security to the entry of your home.
Quite often, they are gifted to the new homeowners as a housewarming gift from their Realtor or home builder. Nothing can be more welcoming on a rainy afternoon than pressing the button and having the garage door rise and welcome you into your home to stay dry.
Within this Costimate we’re going to talk about garage door opener installation cost as well as the retail price variables, and feature differences between various garage door openers you can find online and in retailers like Lowes, Home Depot and other big box stores. You’ll learn who to call to have the opener installed at your home, as well as factors within your garage that may affect the installation cost.
We also include sections on DIY installation, price comparisons found on the web, and of course… a section where other homeowners have shared the installation cost of their own garage door opener at their home.
Door Opener Features and Cost Factors
When you compare different models and units, you’ll find several features that will affect the retail price you pay for your opener.
- Drive Type – Garage door openers are available with chain drive systems, screw drive, and belt drive. Some direct drive models are coming to the market as well. If you’re looking for affordability, choose chain drive. If you want lower maintenance and quiet, choose the screw or belt drive door opener.
- Strength of Motor – You need to know the type or weight of the garage door installed at your home to have a motor strong enough to lift it. Most openers are available in 1/2 hp, through 1.25 horsepower ratings. If you are unsure or have a 2-car garage door, get a 3/4 horsepower or more powerful motor. Wood garage doors also require a more powerful opener.
- Security and Operational Features – Budget openers have very few bells and whistles. Stepping up a model or two should allow you to install an optional keypad outside your home to open or close your door with a pin number. You can also connect the garage door to your home security systems, and open or close via smartphone on more advanced units. Many now have cameras and two-way voice communication. Other units even have battery backups to allow the door to operate when you lose electricity.
- Availability of Power Source – If there is nowhere to plug in your garage door opener, you can either run an extension cord from a nearby electrical outlet, or have an electrician wire an outlet into the garage ceiling for you. In some cases, an electrical circuit and breaker are installed to serve the garage door opener and lights.
- Springs Replacement – Garage Door Springs are designed to assist in raising a garage door. If worn out, then garage door spring replacement is necessary, or the new opener will work harder to raise the door and might wear out sooner.
Cost of Door Opener Installation Supplies
Garage Door Opener Retail Costs
Estimated retail costs of a garage door opener system are:
- $160 – $215 | Basic, 1/2 horsepower, chain drive opener with 2 remotes.
- $235 – $350 | Chain, screw or belt drive openers, 1/2 – 1.25hp, with smart technology, remotes and outside keypads.
- $300 – $500 | Higher power motors for larger, heavier doors. Belt, screw drive or direct drive lifting systems. Automatic closing timers, smart technology and backup power source.
Cost of Installation Supplies
If you hire a pro to install your garage door opener they will most often come prepared with all supplies needed to do the job. Many units you purchase today include all hardware to install the opener to an open stud ceiling. If you have a finished ceiling, you may need added support brackets.
- $0 – $20 | Support brackets to mount motor to ceiling.
- $45 – $150 | Electric wiring and outlet on ceiling to power opener.
- $10 – $25 | Miscellaneous screws, fasteners, wire staples,
Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs
The garage opener itself does not need to be inspected after it’s installed. If however, you need to run an electrical outlet to the ceiling of the garage to provide power to the unit, the electrical work may need to be inspected, depending on local laws in your area.
Permits and Inspection
- $45 – $150 | Electrical inspection.
Garage Door Installation Labor Costs
Most companies charged a fixed rate for garage door opener installation. If not, expect the fees to be in the range listed below.
- $150 – $200 – Fixed rate for installation.
- $45 – $100+ per-hour | Handyman or electrician hourly rate.
Completed Installation Time
When estimating the time to complete the installation, use the factors below. The values do not include the travel time to and from your home.
- 1.5 – 2 hours | Simple installation, electric outlet in place above garage door opener motor at ceiling.
- 2-4 hours | Most common installation time for garage door openers. Including the running an electric outlet to motor with wire exposed and stapled to surface of wall/ceiling.
- 4-6 hours | Difficult or advanced installations, where new electric service is run inside walls and concealed. Advanced hookup to Wifi or home security system, etc.
Related Projects
We’ve found the projects listed below to be commonly related to having a garage door opener installation, or other home improvement or repairs closely related to this type.
Are You a Pro Installer?
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DIY or Hire a Pro
I’ve installed 3-4 garage door openers and when the need arises, would do so again. It’s a fairly simple DIY project as long as you follow the instructions and have electrical service or a plug nearby to power the unit. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most difficult, DIY garage door installation is about a 2-4. It’s a pretty easy project for most handy homeowners with a well-stocked tool bag, drill, and a ladder.
- Requires working on a stepladder.
- May need to run electric service to the motor unit on garage ceiling.
- May need a second person helping to lift and steady the motor while being bolted to hanging brackets.
Reviewed and edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates
Steve Hansen, that's me, the Senior Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about myself and our team) I'm an avid home improvement professional with more than 37 years experience working on all types of residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.
"Like most homeowners, I was frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific home improvement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possible about various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."