How Much Does Garage Door Opener Installation Cost?

Nick Durante
by Nick Durante

A garage door is not much good without a garage door opener. There is more to garages than just convenience, and they go a long way in making your home feel safe. Still, most builder-owners would love to know what to expect in costs and installation for their garage door opener.

The average garage door opener installation cost is $350 including the materials and labor. Garage door openers cost an average of $250, and the remote costs $37. A keypad averages $40 and the average homeowner spends $50 on garage door opener lighting.

Having a garage door opener installed includes many factors based on the dimensions of your garage, and horsepower requirements. Factor in another $100 for lighting replacement if necessary and expect to spend $10-$20 a year on bulbs for it.

Let’s take a closer look at the costs of garage door opener installation.

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How Much Does Garage Door Opener Installation Cost?

It can cost $200-$500 or more to install a garage door opener. Much of the cost comes from the $150-$400 for the garage door system. The rest of the cost of installing a garage door opener is from the 4 to 6 hours of labor.

Garage Door Opener Installation Cost Factors

There are many things that determine how much your garage door opener installation will cost. Just like any other type of home installation, costs vary based on who you hire, and the parts that you buy. Besides that, there are a few other factors that indicate what you will pay when all is said and done.

Garage Door Opener Remote Cost

A remote is a necessary convenience when it comes to garage door openers. Luckily, garage door opener remotes are cheap, and good ones run from $25-$50. There are great options under $40 for multi-car garages from brands like Chamberlain and Genie.

Garage Keypad Cost

You may not always have your remote on you, and you’ll need to use a garage keypad. Many garage door openers come with keypads included in the cost, but you may need to buy one. If your old one broke or your system didn’t come with one, you can get a keypad for $30-$50.

Hooking up a garage keypad makes up a small part of the 4-6 hour garage door opener installation. You don’t need to worry about the keypad driving up the labor costs.

Garage Door Opener Lighting Cost

Every garage door opener system has lighting in place. The lighting system comes in handy when you return home at night, and it adds a sense of safety. Garage door opener lighting can cost up to $100, but most people pay $50-$60.

However, this cost can be avoided by buying a garage door opener with lighting. There are Chamberlain and Zap garage door openers with lighting for $338 and $375, respectively. Unless you have an energy-efficient system, you may have to spend up to $10-$20 each year on bulb replacements.

Labor Cost Garage Door Opener Installation

Labor is a big part of the cost of garage door opener installation. You can expect to pay between $120 and $250 at least for any installation that takes 4-6 hours. Not all garage door opener installations take that long, and simple systems can take as little as 3 hours.

You may as well lump supplies in with labor, and that adds another $20-$25 to the bill from your professional.

Cost FactorsCost
Remote$25-$50
Garage Keypad$30-$50
Lighting$60-$100
Labor$120-$250
Garage Door Opener$150-$400+

How Much Horsepower Do You Need For a Garage Door?

Generally, you won’t need more than 1 or 1 ¼ horsepower for your garage door opener. If you are unsure how much you need, you can consult a professional. However, you can tell on your own by reading into the model that you choose.

Large, heavy garage doors for 2 car garages need the higher end of horsepower, usually 1 ¼, to carry the load. If you have a single car garage and it’s not overly heavy or over 14-15’, ¾ to 1 horsepower is more than enough.

What Garage Door Opener Do I Need?

That depends on personal taste, but each type of garage door opener has its own strengths. There are several popular kinds of systems, such as:

  • Belt-drive
  • Screw-drive
  • Chain-drive

Each driving mechanism for a garage door opener has unique benefits. Now, screw-driven garage door openers are obsolete, but they were once popular. Still, you have two great options to choose from with mechanical differences.

Quiet Garage Door Opener

If you come and go frequently, you will likely want a quiet garage door opener. The quietest option for garage door openers is belt-driven systems.

A garage door opener with a belt drive is quite durable, but they can still break. Luckily, you can get a lot of years out of belt-driver garage openers, but you may need costly repairs. If you need to replace the belt itself, it will cost $70-$100 for the part.

Noisy Garage Door Opener

If belt-driven is the quiet garage door open, then chain-driven is the noisy garage door opener. Chain-driven garage door openers are effective and functional, but they are quite loud. The motor and chain are both loud on chain-drive based openers.

You also may require maintenance for a chain-driven garage door opener. It is common for the chain to come loose, or even break, and need to be replaced. A replacement chain assembly for a garage door opener costs between $20 and $75.

How To Choose a Garage Door Opener

Between the types of garage door openers, you can find countless options to choose from. Of course, cost and quality are most important to many builders and owners. There are a few things to consider that can help you choose the right garage door for yourself, including:

  • Dimensions of door
  • Garage door weight
  • Garage door open features
  • Cost

The dimensions of the garage door itself are important and determine what opener you need. Two-car garages with big doors require openers with more horsepower, which can narrow down the search.

It is also important to look for certain features, such as lighting and keypads. The vast majority of companies include a keypad or remote in the total cost, but not all do. Buying a fully loaded garage door opener system including those items can save you money get you ready for installation.


Related Questions

How long do garage door openers last?

Many homeowners can get 10-15 years out of their garage door opener. However, some people replace garage door openers sooner if there are problems. If it won’t shut all the way or is unresponsive, you may need to replace your garage door opener.


Do garage door openers come with the track?

Most garage door openers come with the track and trolley. If your track is damaged and you need to replace it, a new track costs up to $100. Your track may be salvageable, and you can spend $100-$120 to repair it.


Can You Install a Garage Door Opener Yourself?

Yes, you can, but it is a lot of work. Many DIY oriented homeowners choose to install a garage door opener on their own. You can eliminate the $120-$250 or more in labor and can install a full garage door opener system for $150-$300 on your own.


How much does it cost to build a garage?

It typically costs $7,000-$30,000 to build a garage, depending on the size and features. The garage door opener itself only makes up $200-$500 of that cost. Single car garages range from $7,000-$20,000, and 2 or more car garages can cost as much as $20,000-$30,000.

Do You Need Garage Door Opener Installation or Replacement?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Summing It Up

It can cost $200-$500 to install a garage door opener. Some garage openers come with many features and include lighting, a keypad, and a remote, but not all do. Labor can cost as much as $120-$250, but it could be less or more depending on the professional.

If you want a quiet garage door opener, try a belt-driven option. The other option is chain-driven, which is reliable and effective, but quite loud and can easily come loose.

Garage door opener systems themselves cost $150-$400, and installation accounts for the rest of the cost. You can keep your costs low by buying a simple opener system that still comes with the essentials. Installation only takes 4-6, and after that, you can enjoy it for 10-15 years!

Nick Durante
Nick Durante

Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.

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