As soon as you get home, the clouds burst open and it starts to rain. Since you don’t have a garage door opener, you’ll have to jump out of your car to activate your garage door and then hop back in your car to drive inside.
You seriously need to install a garage door opener. This way, you can open your door from the comfort of your car next time it’s raining. The problem is, you have no idea if you have the money for the job.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out this guide for a complete price breakdown.
Garage Door Opener Type
There are several different types of garage door openers. The one you choose will have a huge effect on the price of your installation. Here are your options and how much they cost.
Chain Drive
The chain drive garage door opener is most likely the most popular type of opener. This is because they’re the least expensive while also being pretty durable.
They use a chain assembly that’s attached to torsion springs to open and close the door. They can handle heavy garage doors but it may come at a cost of your sanity because they’re noisy. They also take tons of maintenance.
So, even though it only costs about 200 bucks for the installation, you may end up spending more in the long run on repairs.
AC Garage Door Opener
AC garage door openers have been used for years and for good reason. They last for a long time. They’re also noisy and if you want to add any fancy extras, you might be out of luck.
They’re already heavy. They can’t take on any additional weight from more features.
This being said, an AC garage door opener is also affordable. You may spend about 270 dollars for the installation.
Screw-Drive
Screw-Drive motors open and close garage doors using a threaded rod. As it rotates, it operates the door. There isn’t much to them as far as parts go.
Since there aren’t that many parts, you shouldn’t experience a lot of complications with it. You just have to keep the components lubricated.
They don’t hold up well against heavy doors. They’re not quite as noisy as chain drive openers but they’re still sort of loud. You’ll pay about 250 bucks for the installation.
Belt-Drive
Belt-drive openers work exactly the same as the chain-drive ones. The only difference is that the belt-drive ones use a belt rather than a chain.
They’re quieter than chain-drive openers, but they require more maintenance. The belt also tends to slip in hot weather and humidity.
They don’t have a high life-span and they’re expensive. You’ll spend up to 350 dollars to have the opener installed.
DC Garage Opener
DC garage door openers work using an electronic circuit board. They take no time at all to open the door and they’re one of the quietest options on the market.
They come complete with a battery backup. You’ll be able to have other features installed such as internet connectivity. They’re also expensive (350 dollars) and they don’t have a long lifespan.
Direct-Drive
Direct-drive openers only use a motor to open and close the door. There aren’t any screws, chains, belts, or any extra moving parts. This being said, there is pretty much no maintenance that you’ll have to deal with ever.
They’re reliable, they hardly make a peep, and they come with a sweet lifetime warranty. They’re also expensive compared to the other openers on this list. You’ll spend upwards of 500 dollars.
Jackshaft-Drive
Whereas most openers are installed on the ceiling, jackshaft openers are installed on the side of the door. They use a series of pulleys, drives, and cables to operate the door.
They aren’t as quiet as direct drive doors, but they’re not noisy either. If you don’t have a high ceiling in your garage, this opener will be the perfect option for you. If you want a little extra security and other fancy features, you’ll be able to add them on no problem.
The drawback is that you can only use a jackshaft opener if you have a sectional door. They also cost over 600 dollars to install.
Price According to Horsepower
The larger your garage door, the more horsepower your opener will need to operate it. We’ll say that you’ll be paying extra for that horsepower so make sure that you need it.
Don’t spend 400 extra dollars for 1 HP if you have an aluminum door. Those can be lifted using 1/2 HP, which is only 200 dollars. Even heavy, wooden doors only use 3/4 HP.
Other Factors
There are some other factors that will affect the cost. For example, what kind of remote do you want? Do you need it to fit in the palm of your hand or do you want to have to punch in a code each time?
You will be paying more or less depending on your opener’s brand name. A Genie opener may cost you 250 but a Linear opener will run you 400, for example.
Many professional garage installation companies, will charge you by the hour to get the job done. So, the price can fluctuate depending on if you need a new opener installed from scratch or not.
Is it easy to install a garage door opener? Yes and no. You might be able to save a little bit of money by doing a DIY job, but it’s not recommended.
Install a Garage Opener Today
If you’re tired of hopping in and out of your car in the rain to open your garage, make the investment and install a garage door opener. It may cost you a pretty penny depending on what kind you want to use, but it can be more than worth it for the convenience alone.
Now that you have a functional door opener, it’s time to focus on other parts of your garage. Check out our blog to get a few amazing design ideas.