How hard to install a garage opener, really?

[StageLeft]

I bought a screw drive (my fave) Genie garage door opener from home depot. THey want $120 to install it. I know I can install it myself but the instructions make it look like it could take 2-8 hours and really could be a major pain. I understand these particular instructions are good, based on a review of an opener, but all of the lining up and spacing and all that seems like a hassle and it's not like it's a skill I intend to use in the future (unlike fixing something on a car, in which case it may be worth wasting a day to learn how to do it).

Input?

Thanks!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

OMG ITS SKOORB

- M4H

 

[PlatinumGold]

it is a pain in the ass, i installed one for our church pastor and it took me 5 hours to do it.

it's nothing hard or difficult to do, it's just a lot of time involved.


edit

i just realized looking at this post, I joined before the infamous Skoorb.

yay me.

 

[waggy]

find a local handi-man to do it. we are having some installed in a week or two ourselves. the guy we talked to said he would do both for $50

 

[Mellman]

it can be a PITA especially by yourself...

 

[vi edit]

$120 seems reasonable given the time and hastle of the task.

 

[49erinnc]

Just depends on how mechanically gifted you consider yourself. Personally, if I'd probably tackle that myself but I enjoy doing stuff like that. However, if you were having to install the other components (springs/tension unit, etc.) then I'd pay someone. Those parts of the install are both hard and really dangerous. But to just put in a new opener isn't difficult, just time consuming and a little tedious.

Just get a buddy to help you, pick up a 6-pack of beer and make a morning/afternoon out of it.

Edit: $120 really isn't that bad to be able to just avoid the hassle all together. I guess it comes down to whether or not you just prefer DIY projects. I'd probably just pay the $120 the more I think about it.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

1. Open garage door
2. Throw door opener into garage
3. Close garage door
4. ???
5. Profit!!!

(results may vary)

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's not difficult. Take your time and follow the directions. I installed the one we have at our house in a couple hours and it's been 6+ years that we've lived there and it still works fine. Oh, and our garage door is a swing up door, not a rollup.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Never done one but I have heard it's a major PITA and usually not worth the frustration. I like doing things myself when possible but this seems like it's worth hiring someone.

 

[erub]

SKROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOB!!!!

 

[Midlander]

I did my own. It took less than 2 hours. But, if you aren't familiar with them and don't have the right tools, pay the money.

 

[Compton]

I installed one of these a few weeks ago. If you have an 8 ft garage door you will need the extension kit. Make sure you have it before you get started. You will probably need a helper when you're ready to hang the rail on the bracket above the door.

 

[iamwiz82]

I did mine last year. Took probably 5 hours from start to finish, including a run to the hardware store to buy better bolts to mount the bracket to the door. It was not hard at all

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Compton
I installed one of these a few weeks ago. If you have an 8 ft garage door you will need the extension kit. Make sure you have it before you get started. You will probably need a helper when you're ready to hang the rail on the bracket above the door.

I just stacked stuff until I had it high enough. :laugh:

 

[swtethan]

A caveman could do it.

 

[Fritzo]

It's pretty tough if you've never done it. Getting the tracks straight is probably the biggest PITA, next to lining up the light guns so kids don't get their heads squashed.

 

[Randum]

think of it as quality time in your garage?? I was thinking about doing one too....but yeah looks like some work

 

[crystal]

I know you semi-retire from ATOT after the kid but wow, over 50,000+. posts. Never realized you posted so much.

 

[Kelemvor]

It's actually pretty easy as long as you have help. I would never try one myself because it's near impossible with the huge tracks to get up there and everything. But it's basically just attaching the one end above the door, mounting the main motor section from the rafters/ceiling/etc. Then hooking everything up in between.

When we did ours we were just replacing one so we could just reuse lots of the components for mounting and such,

 

[Preyhunter]

It's easy, do it yourself.

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
It's actually pretty easy as long as you have help. I would never try one myself because it's near impossible with the huge tracks to get up there and everything. But it's basically just attaching the one end above the door, mounting the main motor section from the rafters/ceiling/etc. Then hooking everything up in between.

When we did ours we were just replacing one so we could just reuse lots of the components for mounting and such,

with genie garage door openers you assemble everything on the ground, attach the front to a pivoting bracket near the door, then raise up the back motor end. took us about 1 hour.

 

[Electric Amish]

It's not difficult, but it will take a good half-day...especially with sensors and if you are not replacing an existing system.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
It's not difficult, but it will take a good half-day...especially with sensors and if you are not replacing an existing system.

I was talking about this at lunch with the guys at work and of the three that did it...they all said "have someone do it". Heheh...to this day one of the guys said his door closes diagonal on cold days

 

[markgm]

I installed two of those in my place. It took about an hour and a half for the first one and 20 minutes for the second.