Make sure your contractor can do everything in-house. There are some contractors installing garage door openers who only handle the physical installation. They may not handle the electrical components or the assembly of the door mechanism. Ask your contractor if he or she simply installs the motor and housing or if he or she handles the entire thing. It is always much cheaper to hire a contractor who is willing and able to do everything for you.

If you have children, you should consider only looking for contractors who install doors with safety mechanisms. Many contractors don't carry garage door openers that come with integrated safety systems because they are more expensive. However, children have a tendency to run around uncontrollably at times. A garage door opener without a safety mechanism on it could potentially close on top of a child and cause harm.

Find a contractor with a lot of good references. Projects like this have the potential to go very badly if you don't hire a knowledgeable, experienced contractor. You could end up with a disaster on your hands if you don't hire the right person. References will give you a great deal of insight on the skill of the person you hire.