Until it stops working, most of us take a garage door opener for granted. But when it doesn’t lift up the heavy door concealing your car, you take notice. You certainly realize just how heavy that door is when you’re forced to lift it manually.
A garage door installation service will charge $407, which includes labor and material, to remove and replace your old unit with a new one of the same size and features in a two-car garage. If you’re handy and have carpentry and electrical skills and tools you can make the swap for $210, the cost of a new opener, and save 48%. It’s a lot of work that takes the better part of a day.
The job involves several steps: disconnecting the old unit, identifying the components of the new opener and assembling it, attaching the door hardware, installing the power unit on the garage ceiling, and connecting it to the electrical outlet. For tools you’ll need screwdrivers, a hammer, an adjustable wrench, a tape measure, a drill driver, a hack saw, pliers, a wire stripper and a carpenter’s level. Carefully read the directions and watch a how-to video before you begin.
To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.
Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$407—$210—5.5—6.0—$197—8%
