Standby installs
Standby generator installation
A permanent generator that starts on its own within seconds of an outage, sized from your real loads and installed with permits, pad, gas line and transfer switch on one written quote.
At a glance
Planned work
- Site visit
- Free, about 1 h
- Written quote
- 2 business days
- Install day
- 1 to 2 days
- Permits
- Filed by us
How it works
A home standby generator sits outside on a pad, runs on natural gas or propane, and connects to your panel through an automatic transfer switch. When the utility power drops, it starts, waits a few seconds to be sure, and takes over. When the power comes back, it hands the house back and cools down.
We start with a site visit: we read your panel, list what you want running, look at where the unit can sit (codes set distances from windows, doors and vents), and check the gas meter or propane plan. You get a written quote within two business days.
Install day is usually one day for air-cooled units and two for liquid-cooled. The town inspects, we start the unit under real house load, and we walk you through it before we leave.
Price book
Planning ranges for typical homes in our area, before tax. The firm price is written after we have seen the site, and it includes the permit as its own line.
| Job | Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 10 to 14 kW air-cooled Smaller homes, or larger homes that only need heat, well, fridge, sump, lights and internet. | $9,800 to $13,500 |
| 18 to 22 kW air-cooled Typical 1,800 to 3,000 sq ft homes with gas or oil heat, a well, and one central air system. | $13,500 to $18,500 |
| 24 to 26 kW air-cooled Bigger homes, two AC systems, heat pumps, or an electric range you want to keep using. | $16,500 to $21,500 |
| 30 to 48 kW liquid-cooled Large or all-electric homes, 400 A services, home offices and workshops that cannot pause. | $27,000 to $42,000 |
Where quotes go above the range. Ranges cover typical homes in our area with the unit within 30 feet of the meter and panel. Long runs, rock ledge where the line has to go, gas meter upgrades and 400 A services are the usual reasons a quote lands above the range. We say so at the site visit, in writing.
How it goes
- 1 Site visit About an hour. Panel read, load list, placement, fuel check.
- 2 Written quote Within two business days. Every line priced, permits included.
- 3 Permits and fuel One to four weeks. We file; the gas utility or propane supplier schedules.
- 4 Install day One day air-cooled, two days liquid-cooled. Power off for two to four hours.
- 5 Inspection and startup Town inspection, then startup under load and a walkthrough.
Questions about standby installs
How long from quote to a running generator?
Four to eight weeks is typical. Permits and the gas side set the pace: a gas meter upgrade can add a few weeks, and propane tank sets depend on your supplier's schedule.
Will the power be off on install day?
Yes, for two to four hours while we connect the transfer switch. We tell you the window the day before so you can plan around the fridge and work calls.
How close to the house can it go?
Codes and the manufacturer set minimum distances from windows, doors, vents and the gas meter, usually around five feet from openings. We measure on the site visit and show you the spot before you sign.
Other services
Site visits are free
Ready to talk about standby installs?
Send the details in five short steps and we will call to book a visit, or start with the sizing calculator for an estimate.