How long does it take to install a garage door opener? That depends on how good you are with tools, the type of opener you have, and whether anything goes wrong or not. But if you are even somewhat handy, you can expect it to take 4 to 6 hours — about half a day — to completely install an opener to a garage door.
Replacing an Old Unit or Starting from Scratch?
Are you simply replacing an old unit or installing a completely new system where there wasn’t one before? This will affect how long and how easy this installation’s going to be. If you’re just swapping out an old opener with a new model, you can simply reuse the existing supports that hold the motor unit as well as the wood blocking for the bracket above the door.
If not, you’re going to need to install a support system as well.
Caution: Don’t Use Old Wires
Don’t be tempted to use old wiring. This can lead to a host of problems and put a shorter lifespan on the new opener. Start fresh with new wires so you get the best life out of the new opener. New electronics will probably work better with fresh wires, and they are better designed to work with the new opener.
How Much Horsepower Do You Need?
When choosing a garage door opener, be sure the motor is strong enough to lift the size of door you own. If you need to lift a double garage door, you might want a motor that’s at least ½ HP to be safe because the door will be larger and heavier. ⅓ HP should be fine for most single garage doors, providing the door is balanced properly and not made of heavy gauge steel. Keep in mind if your door is heavy you may need to replace the opener more often for ⅓ HP motor. If you have an oversized or heavy door and want to get a lot of use out of the motor (especially if the door is opened frequently) you might want to go with ¾ HP. These motors tend to be more expensive, but the durability makes it a cost effective option in the long run.