Most garage door openers last for about 10 to 15 years, after which you’ll need to get a replacement or upgrade. But how much is a garage door opener in Los Angeles nowadays? Depending on the specific model you’ll get, it may set you back for about $200 to $500 – or even more for a top-shelf unit.
However, some factors will affect the price tag of your brand-new opener. And in this post, we’ll help you budget for your new unit and how to find the best garage opener for the price. Keep reading and see how you can score the best deal in Los Angeles!
The average garage door opener costs in LA
For the most part, the price of garage opener installation in Los Angeles depends on the type you’re planning to get. Below, we discussed a quick rundown of the types of garage door openers and their average prices to help you decide:
1. Chain drive openers
If you’re looking for the cheapest garage door opener in LA, your best is a chain drive model. This opener uses a metal chain mechanism to open and close your door, not to mention that it’s also pretty durable.
On average, the chain drive opener price ranges from $150 to $250, not including installation and other fees. However, the caveat is that chain drive openers are also the noisiest due to their mechanism.
However, if you don’t mind some rattling in exchange for saving a few hundred bucks, then this would be the perfect garage door opener for you.
2. Belt drive openers
For those looking for the right balance of price and quiet operation, a belt drive garage door opener would be a wise option. This uses a belt and trolley mechanism to move your door up and down.
Since belt drive openers don’t have sprockets like chain drives, they are relatively quieter and low-maintenance. However, once the belt is worn out, you may need to replace it.
Also, the belt drive opener cost ranges from $200 to $350, which is a budget-friendly option for homeowners. And since it’s a low maintenance opener, you’ll also save a lot on repair costs.
3. Screw drive openers
Are you frustrated over the time it takes your opener to lift your door? If so, you may consider a screw-drive garage door opener. This uses a threaded metal rod that rotates to move your door up and down faster than other types.
Moreover, a screw-drive opener costs around $150 to $300+, depending on how modern the model is. Also, you have to know that this garage door opener requires upkeep to extend its lifespan.
Aside from that, screw-drive openers aren’t the quietest but still relatively less noisy than a chain drive.
4. Direct drive openers
If you’re looking for a smart garage door opener at a reasonable price, consider a direct-drive model.
A direct drive opener has a motor that moves along a stationary chain mounted on your ceiling. With this mechanism, direct drive units are also the quietest and requires less garage door maintenance.
However, these beefy features come with an equally hefty price. A direct drive opener costs around $280 to $500+, higher if you’re opting for an advanced model. Still, this automatic garage door opener in LA gives the best value for money in terms of operation.
5. Jackshaft openers
Like direct-drive openers, jackshaft openers are mounted not on the ceiling but on the wall close to your garage door. It’s connected to your door’s torsion bar and has springs that move your door up and down.
In general, a jackshaft garage door opener costs around $500 to $700 apiece, the most expensive of all the other types. Still, like direct-drive openers, jackshaft types are ultra-quiet.
While the jackshaft garage door motor price is a bit higher, it will be a smart investment if you want to upgrade your garage door.
6. Smart garage door openers
You can also upgrade to a smart garage door opener if you want to enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity, smartphone control, real-time alerts, and more. This is one of the latest garage door trends that is becoming increasingly popular among Los Angeles homeowners.
In terms of smart vs. basic opener cost, smart features will definitely raise the pricing a notch. But the best part is that you no longer have to worry about your garage door opener remote getting stolen or having to punch in a passcode to open your garage all the time.
Overall, a WiFi garage door opener price can be over $300 or more. Aside from that, the garage door opener repair cost for this kind of model can also be in the higher range due to the complexity of the system.
Still, smart garage door openers vary in price widely, depending on the type and features you want.
If you want a more accurate estimate for your garage door opener repair or replacement, contact us at California Garage Door Repair today! We provide free estimates, and we can install garage door openers on the same day.
Factors affecting the garage door opener replacement cost
Aside from type, the cost of a new garage motor installation also depends on the following factors:
1. Garage door opener brand
These reputable brands often cost more than aftermarket options, but for good reasons. Major brands offer better customer service, accessibility of garage opener parts in LA, and warranty coverage. Also, due to the tight competition, these brands often focus on improving the quality of their openers.
On the other hand, while off-brand garage door openers may be more affordable, they can be hit-and-miss in terms of quality.
2. Door size and motor power
Next, you also have to consider the size of your door when shopping for a new garage door opener. Heavier and bigger doors require openers with a higher horsepower and bigger motor. As the motor and power rating increase, so does the unit’s price.
For example, a 1/3 HP direct drive opener will cost around $200 to $300. On the other hand, a ¾ HP direct drive opener from the same brand could cost up to $600 due to its extra lifting power.
In addition, bigger motors may require additional reinforcements during installation, which will increase the cost of your garage door project.
3. Complexity of installation
Complexity is often a major aspect that will impact the installation cost of your garage opener. Aside from the cost of the unit, you also have to factor in labor fees when hiring experts like California Garage Door Repair.
For example, standard garage door openers are usually easy to install and can be done by one technician in less than an hour. However, advanced and bigger models may have specific installation requirements that will take more manpower and time to finish.
In addition, your customization needs will raise the opener installation price point. For example, some of our clients in LA request modifications or removal of the old unit.
Also, emergency garage door repair and installation will cost a little bit more than standard service calls. Still, you no longer have to wait for the next business hours just to get your door up and running.
4. Additional features
Nowadays, you can upgrade to modern features to level up your garage door’s operation. However, you should also keep in mind that with every additional feature comes additional costs.
Here are some of the popular features our clients request, which make their new garage door installation and opener replacement more expensive:
- WiFi connectivity. As we’ve mentioned earlier, garage door openers with this feature can cost twice as much as their standard counterparts.
- Smart home integration. These are openers that are compatible with smart home systems, such as Google Assistance or Amazon Alexa.
- Battery backup. We always recommend this addition to ensure that your door remains functional during power outages. It will cost you an additional $2300 to $400+, but it is definitely worth it.
- LED lighting. You can also get LED lights that will automatically illuminate once your garage door opens. It’s an additional cost but a great investment for safety purposes.
- Longer warranty coverage. In some cases, you’ll also have to shoulder the garage opener warranty cost. For example, some brands offer lifetime warranties, which are already added to the unit’s price.
5. Additional accessories
Additional accessories, such as wireless keypads, remote controls, safety sensors, smartphone control adapters, and opener locks, will also add more bucks to your final bill.
Still, many of these accessories help extend the longevity of your door and improve your family’s security. So, even if they will cost more, they are worth the investment in the long run.
Looking for an affordable garage door opener service? Call California Garage Door Repair today!
If you’re looking for quality garage door openers with the best price, all you have to do is contact us at California Garage Door Repair!
We are on-call 24/7 for all your garage door needs. Be it an opener installation, garage door spring replacement, and more, we are the only team of experts you need.
All our technicians are licensed and insured for your peace of mind. As homeowners ourselves, we always deliver the service we want for our own garages at an unbeatable price.
So, if you need help choosing the right opener or already have a unit in mind, contact us, and we’ll find it for you. Our team can provide, install, and maintain any opener brand, make, or model for your convenience!
