Cost to Install a Standby Generator
Installing a standby generator adds backup power through a fixed unit connected to your home's electrical system and fuel supply. The work includes a level mounting base, an automatic transfer switch, wiring and conduit, and testing during a simulated outage. Connections at the main electrical service and fuel lines make this a complex job for a licensed professional.
Common reasons homeowners do this job
- Adding backup power for utility outages
- Replacing an existing standby generator
- Upgrading backup power to match the home's power requirements
- Adding automatic transfer during an outage
DIY or call a pro?
A licensed professional should handle the entire installation. Work at the main electrical service carries a severe electrocution risk, and an improper connection can send power back toward utility lines, endangering utility workers. Fuel-line connections also need specialized knowledge to prevent leaks and fire. Existing solar arrays or other power sources may require additional control-system integration.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install a standby generator myself if I have electrical tools?
- Leave this to a licensed professional—it is a professional installation, even if you own wire strippers, fish tape, electrical hand tools, and a multimeter. Those tools leave the risks of electrocution at the main service, lethal back-feeding to utility lines, or fuel leaks and fire fully in place. A licensed professional should plan and carry out the work.
- What makes a standby generator installation more expensive?
- Labor time and materials drive the price of a generator installation. Materials include the generator unit, automatic transfer switch, wiring and conduit, fuel lines and fittings, and a concrete pad or mounting base. If the job replaces an existing unit, haul-away of old material can also add to the total.
- What should I check before choosing a generator?
- Start with an evaluation of your home's power requirements and a load analysis rather than choosing capacity by guesswork. Fuel selection also depends on availability and local regulations. Have a licensed electrician review the installation plan, including local noise restrictions. Check with your local building department whether this work needs a permit.
- Does having solar panels change the installation plan?
- It can: solar arrays and other existing power sources may need control systems integrated with the generator. A home with solar may therefore need more than the generator's electrical and fuel connections; integration with the existing power sources is also part of the professional installation.
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