Who Do I Call to Install a Garage Door Opener?

If you catch yourself wondering, “Who do I call to install a garage door opener?” you’re not alone. Garage door openers don’t last forever, but you may not know who to hire when it’s finally time to replace yours. Although it is possible to DIY, outsourcing a project like this will lessen your load in multiple ways—like ensuring you don’t accidentally buy incorrect parts or perform a faulty installation that leads to back-to-back replacements.

Benefits of Hiring a Garage Door Installer to Set Up an Opener

The right person to hire to install a garage door opener is the same one you’d get to set up your garage door as a whole. A garage door opener installer near you will have the tools and knowledge to pick out the right parts, determine the best configuration for your garage layout, and install everything with ease. 

No Risk of Buying the Wrong Parts

Garage door installers work with various garage door parts on a daily basis—including those used in an automatic opening system. While it can be difficult for the average DIYer to determine which garage door parts are necessary and which aren’t, they’ll know right away what to get—and can even help you pick the best system for the lowest price, no garage door opener buying guide necessary. 

Way Less Work at Little to No Added Cost

Installing a garage door opener is a time-consuming process, and the average homeowner may not have all the right tools to handle it. Investing in a bunch of new tools or hiring a pro will both set you back financially, but only the latter will take the work completely off your plate. 

Bad Installation Is Far Less Likely 

Things can go wrong during a garage door opener installation, and the less you know about what you’re doing, the worse the results may be. A professional will know exactly how to set up a new system for success, including which garage door opener horsepower you need and where to place each part for maximum efficiency. 

Can I Install a Garage Door Opener Myself?

Garage door opener installation costs $220 to $540 if you hire a pro, with an average of $380. By contrast, doing it on your own can actually be more expensive since you have to buy the tools and materials on your own—anywhere from $400 to $1,500.

If you already have what you need, doing this project yourself is technically possible. However, it’s still worth considering hiring a pro because if anything goes wrong, you’ll pay more for repairs in the long run.

Can I Hire an Electrician to Install a Garage Door Opener? 

While an electrician has the knowledge to properly install wiring related to garage door openers, they’re unlikely to have the skills necessary to ensure everything else works properly with your garage door system. When in doubt, leave a project like this to a garage door technician. 

How Do Pros Install Garage Door Openers? 

Garage door opener installation depends on its make and model, but a common process is as follows.

• The pro will start by assembling the carriage tube—or the railing that connects the door to the opener motor—then mount the carriage tube to the motor and place the carriage itself over the tube. 

• From there, they’ll attach a conveyor belt or threaded rod through the tube to allow the door to move up and down with ease. 

• Once that’s set up, they’ll mount a header bracket on the wall above the garage door and angle irons to the ceiling where the motor will sit. 

• After that, they’ll secure the carriage tube to both of these parts, then connect the motor to the nearest plug. 

• They’ll then attach a connecting bracket to the garage door, the top of the carriage arm to the tube, and the bottom to an elbow bracket on the door. 

• Finally, they’ll attach the emergency release cord, connect the wall button to wires and mount on the wall, and test the door's opening and closing repeatedly to ensure everything functions properly.