Trying to go about your everyday life when your garage door opener is broken can be inconvenient and annoying. It certainly will upset the rhythm of your daily routine, causing your normal schedule to run late right as soon as you are ready to leave the house.
It might be possible to manually open and close your garage door even when the automatic opener is broken, but, should you? The answer is – it depends.
Depending on the condition of your garage door, it can be unsafe to open and close the garage door manually. Cracked or flimsy panels and rusted rollers pose a threat to safely operating your door with or without the opener, but manually it can be dangerous. And the heavier the door is the more difficult and dangerous it becomes. If your door is in good condition, manually operating your door is safe, but still inconvenient and annoying, especially in harsh weather conditions.
If you’re tired of dealing with your garage door because the opener is broken, it’s time to figure out your options. Whether you need to repair your garage door opener or replace it, in this article, we’ll discuss the costs of garage door opener repair and replacement.
Cost to Replace or Repair a Garage Door Opener
When deciding whether to repair or replace your garage door opener, it is important to examine its condition. Is the problem electrical? Is the door not opening due to a broken spring?
In some cases, you would benefit from having a professional take a look at your garage door opener to determine the best course of action. Often a garage door opener repair can end up costing more than replacement.
An aspect to definitely consider is the age of your garage door opener. If it is broken and over ten years old, you should consider replacing the entire apparatus. It is usually much more cost-effective to replace the entire unit than to replace worn parts, and it is unlikely you will get much more use out of a decades-old garage door opener to warrant investing any money into it.
One other great thing about hiring a professional is they will remove and dispose of your old opener.
The cost to have your old garage door opener repaired can cost up to $500. The garage door opening system itself can cost anywhere between $150 and $800, depending on the brand and model you choose, and the quality of the unit you are purchasing. Not all openers are alike and the range in quality is expansive.
Cost to Install a New Garage Door Opener
If you decide to remove your old garage door opener and replace it, you should be prepared to spend between $200 and $500 at the big box stores. Some of the higher quality and more high-end models can cost upwards of $800.
The cost of installing a new garage door opener system includes more than the cost of the unit alone. Always take into account the cost of the operating system, any additional or supplemental parts, and labor.
While you may be able to do the installation yourself, be sure to take into consideration how long it would take you to do it, and how valuable your time is. You may find that it isn’t worth your time after all, and in fact, isn’t what you want to wrestle with on your day off.
While most reputable garage door repair companies should be able to take down and conduct your garage door opener replacement within about two to three hours, occasionally it may take longer.
Types of Automatic Garage Door Openers By Model
When it’s time for garage door opener services, you’ll have three different types of automated systems to choose from. The most common models are chain-driven, belt-driven, and screw-driven.
Chain-Driven Operators
A chain-driven garage door opener uses a metal chain to push and pull your garage door on a track. Chain-driven garage door openers are the original automatic openers for garage doors. They have very simple designs.
Because they rely on older technology, some models of chain-driven openers can seem rather outdated.
The downside of chain-driven models is they are much louder than the newer automatic garage door openers. On average, chain-driven garage door openers cost as little as $200 to $350.
Belt-Driven Operators
Belt-driven garage door openers use a belt to propel the garage door up and down its tracks. They are much quieter than chain-driven openers and are a very popular choice.
Because they use modern technology, belt-driven garage door openers cost a little more. You can expect to spend between $200 and up to $600 on a belt-driven opener. They are the quietest option.
Screw-Driven Operators
Screw-driven operators were the most popular design before belt-driven garage door openers came along. They cost between $200 and $500 and require a lot of maintenance. Although easier for a DIYer to install, some manufacturers have stopped making them. Screw-drive openers are actually the noisiest option of them all.
Types of Automatic Garage Door Openers By Brand
To make your decision-making process easier, we’ve included reviews of the top four garage door opener brands. These include Liftmaster, Chamberlain, Genie, and Craftsman garage door openers.
Liftmaster Garage Door Opener
Homeowners like the Liftmaster garage door opener for its reliability, durability, speed, and low volume. Available in both chain and belt drive, Liftmaster openers range from $300 to $700.
Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
The Spruce voted the Chamberlain B1381 the best overall garage door opener. One thing homeowners love about Chamberlain is the ability to control the garage door opener using their Smartphones although now most garage door openers have this ability. Often installed as a DIY, Chamberlain garage door openers cost between $200 and $250.
Genie Garage Door Opener
Genie garage door openers have been one of the most popular garage door opener systems for many years. They run between $115 and $250 depending on their features and horsepower. Not known for the best quality, Genie is often the least expensive option.
Craftsman Garage Door Opener
Bob Vila ranked the Crafstman Chain Drive third among best garage door openers. The great thing about Craftsman door openers is their excellent safety features like state-of-the-art anti-theft technology. Craftsman openers range in price from $200 to $250.
Linear Garage Door Opener
Linear is not a name you hear often, but if you pay attention you will see them in garages all over town. You will find that Linear is predominantly installed by garage door professionals. That’s because they know Linear is a better quality opener. Available in both chain and belt drive, the Linear line has something to suit most needs. Linear openers range from $200 to $500.
Marantec Garage Door Opener
From Volvo to Audi we are all familiar with German engineering. The Marantec is designed and manufactured in Germany. The Germans attention to detail has resulted in a higher quality product. If you want the quietest opener, you will want a Maratec. Available only as a belt drive (of course – it’s the quietest), Marantec openers range from $400 to $800.
Garage Door Opener Repair and Replacement
If you’re thinking of repairing your garage door opener, expect to spend about $500. If you want to replace your garage door opening system, you might end up spending up to $800 depending on the type of garage door opener installation in Katy, TX.
Curious to know the Cost to Replace Your Garage Door and Opener?
The garage door, like the front door, is part of the face of a home. It is a major part of your home’s value and curb appeal. A beautiful, high-quality garage door is an excellent investment for homeowners.
Did you know garage door replacement is among the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners? This is because it is very easy to recoup the cost of a new garage door.
A new garage door can increase the listing price of your home. Therefore, it is almost certain you will make the money you spend on a new garage door back by increasing the overall value of your home.
Is your garage door looking shabby and outdated? Let’s break down the cost to replace a garage door.
For one single-wide garage door, the average cost is around $1200. For double-wide doors, the average cost is around $2400.
If you decide to add a new garage door opener, you can anticipate an added cost of $300 to $500. Labor and installation costs can account for another $400 on average.
Altogether, you’re looking at spending anywhere from $2000 to $5000 to replace your garage door(s) and garage door opening system. The best way to find out what it will cost you is to have a professional come give you an estimate. At Ohana Garage Doors, new door estimates, and new opener estimates are free from the leading garage door company today.
Looking to get an estimate for your new garage door in the Katy, TX area? How about a garage door opener repair or replacement in the Houston, TX area? Contact Ohana Garage Doors to schedule your service today.