Our new house didn't have garage door openers installed when we moved in. The builder said he didn't install them because we could hire someone to do it for less than he would charge. I thought it looked easy enough and any reasonably handy person could do it youself, so I did. This page documents my procedure (skipping most of what is in the manual) but telling what I wish i had known before I did the job.
You can use the following table to estimate the cost of the diy install (not counting your time or tools.) I've included professional labor estimates to help you decide if it is worth your effort. (I got a local quote for around $100-$150 depending on ceiling height.)
| Component | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opener | $125-$380 | I went with Chamberlain for around $200 |
| Galvonized perforated angle iron | $9/6ft - $16/6ft | the local "Overhead door" shop had the best price You will need a minimum of 3 strips. |
| Extension cord | $5 | Most openers have 3ft cords. My ceiling has 14ft. |
| Draw Bar Plate | $15 | Needed to reinforce the door where the opener pulls. (Home Depot doesn't carry these!) |
| 4x 5/16 bolts/nuts/lock washers | $2 | Some kits don't include them. |
Most openers come with hardware to raise a 7-foot door. If your door is taller you will need to buy and extension kit these usually run around $35. My dore was 7'feet tall and 16 feet wide.
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