It’s always a good idea to try and carry out your own home improvement projects where you can, but some things are better left to a professional. With that in mind, is it hard to replace a garage door opener?
Replacing a garage door opener is a moderately complicated task, depending on your experience and expertise. It can take quite a few hours to complete if you have never replaced one before. A professional will usually carry out a full replacement for between $200 and $500, including the cost of the parts themselves.
Read ahead in this article to find out all about how challenging the process of replacing your garage door opener can be so that you can decide for yourself whether it’s a job you want to tackle.
Can You Replace a Garage Door Opener Yourself?
The first question to ask is: is this a task that can actually be done by the average homeowner? Although it will depend on your level of confidence, the vast majority of garage door openers can be installed without professional assistance.
It might take you a bit of time and some patience, but this can very much be a DIY job. In fact, all garage door openers should come with an installation manual that you can follow, which is designed to help you get everything up and running by yourself.
There are other factors to consider, though, that can make the process more challenging. Depending on the type of opener you have, the doors it is being installed for, and the features that might come with it, installing the opener can be a little harder. You will also need the right tools and preparation ahead of time.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Garage Door Opener?
An important consideration to keep in mind is how much time you are going to be putting into replacing your opener.
It is best to set aside at least half a day for this job if you are doing it by yourself, as it will typically take between 2 and 6 hours to complete the installation.
The main reason why it might take significantly longer is down to experience. If it is your first time, you will need to spend a lot longer looking through the instructions and patiently working out each step along the way. Once you’ve replaced a garage door opener a couple of times, you will become more confident and move more quickly.
What Do You Need to Do Before You Replace Your Garage Door Opener?
Actually installing a new garage door opener is far from the first step in the process. Before you get started, you need to know that the door is prepared to work smoothly, and you need to have all of your tools and parts in place.
Check Your Door
Before you install your opener, your garage door should open and close smoothly by hand. It shouldn’t drop too heavily or lift on its own, and it shouldn’t take much effort to operate.
Check the door itself for:
- Damage or wear to the springs
- Damage, wear, or obstruction to the cables
- Misaligned tracks
- Bent or worn rollers
- Misalignment or sloping
- Imbalance
If you don’t ensure that your garage door is properly balanced, aligned, and in good working order, the opener is unlikely to work properly. It will become overworked and potentially fail, meaning that it will need to be replaced again much too quickly.
Assemble Your Tools
Of course, no matter what DIY or home improvement task you are tackling, there are a number of tools that you will have to use. You definitely want to make sure you are fully equipped before you get started, otherwise you might get stuck halfway through the process.
The tools that you may need include:
- Secure step ladder (6-8ft depending on the height of the door)
- Clamps
- Cordless drill (with drill bits)
- Screwdriver
- Wire cutter
- Wire stapler
- Metal-cutting saw
- Tape measure
- Level
- Snips
- Pliers
- Wrenches
Not all of these tools will be required for every installation job. The best way to know what you will need is to read through the instruction manual ahead of time and tick off the different equipment that you need at each step.
You may also want additional parts that aren’t included with your opener, depending on your setup. For example, you may want a rail extension for a taller door, an operator plate, and/or some extra plywood or angle iron for stronger mounting.
How To Replace a Garage Door Opener
The exact steps required for replacing your garage door opener will depend upon the model and type that you choose. All openers will have slightly different instructions, which you should follow carefully in order to install them safely and efficiently.
The basic steps you will generally need to follow, though, are:
- Ensure the door is in proper working order
- Check that the door is well balanced
- Mount the operator plate (if required) and the header bracket
- Assemble the track and secure it to the header bracket
- Lift the motor end into position, setting it at the correct height and parallel to the floor.
- Assemble the ceiling bracket/mounting
- Attach the motor end to the track and the ceiling mount
- Connect the lifting arm
- Wire the electrical components
Do not plug the opener into a power source until you have safely completed all of the installation steps.
Once you’re all set up, it’s time to test out your new opener and see how well it is functioning.
Do You Need to Replace Your Garage Door Opener Yourself?
If all of that sounds like hard work, or you’re worried about the potential cost you more in time and troubleshooting, then you can always hire a professional.
A technician will get the job done in 2-4 hours, and it will usually cost you around $100-$200 for the labor. Adding in the cost of the opener itself, you will usually end up spending between $200 and $500 overall.
If you factor in the time and effort that you’re saving yourself, it’s a pretty cost-effective option at the end of the day.
Summary: Is it Hard to Replace a Garage Door Opener?
So, is it hard to replace a garage door opener? It’s not an excessively challenging DIY task, but it will require a lot of patience, quite a bit of preparation, and a decent number of tools.
Most handy homeowners will be able to handle the job themselves in 2-6 hours, depending on how confident you are. Of course, you could always call in a professional and save yourself the trouble.