Independent research & free local quotes
We help homeowners understand how standby generator installation actually works — sizing, permits, fuel options, realistic cost ranges — and request quotes from independent local professionals when they're ready.
We're an independent platform, not an electrical contractor — see our advertising disclosure.
Describe your property
Tell us about your home so we understand what a generator installation would need to account for.
Estimate generator requirements
Get a rough sizing estimate based on what you want backed up during an outage.
Request local quotes
Submit one request and we'll share it with independent local professionals who service your area.
Compare contractors and proposals
Review quotes side by side and choose the professional that fits your project and budget.
Educational estimates based on published industry pricing — not a quote for your specific project.
Total installed cost, typical single-family home
$9,000–$16,000
Covers equipment, labor, transfer switch, pad, and standard permitting for a common 14–22 kW whole-house setup. Complex sites, panel upgrades, or premium equipment can push this higher.
Sizing depends on whether you want to back up just the essentials or your entire home, including HVAC. Our sizing guide walks through the tradeoffs before you talk to an installer.
Full installation overview, from site assessment to final inspection.
Learn more →A standby generator is permanently wired into your home's electrical system and starts automatically within seconds of a utility outage, without you having to plug in anything or refuel a portable unit mid-storm.
Learn more →The transfer switch is the component that actually decides where your home's power comes from — utility or generator — and it's what makes a standby generator's automatic startup safe and code-compliant.
Learn more →Standby generators typically run 15–25 years with regular maintenance, but a unit that's undersized for a growing household, or one that's failing repeatedly, is often cheaper to replace than to keep patching.
Learn more →Most standby generator problems trace back to a handful of components — the battery, control board, transfer switch, or fuel supply — and a lot of failures show up first as a fault light rather than a total shutdown.
Learn more →A generator that hasn't been serviced can still fail on the one day you actually need it — routine maintenance is what catches a dying battery or clogged filter before an outage does.
Learn more →"Inspection" covers two different things worth telling apart: the code-required inspection after a new installation, and a voluntary system check to catch problems on an existing unit.
Learn more →Every standby generator needs a stable, level, elevated surface to sit on — the pad keeps the unit off bare ground, reduces vibration transfer, and helps with drainage and pest access underneath.
Learn more →If your home already has a natural gas utility connection, running a generator off that same line usually means no fuel tank to buy, monitor, or refill.
Learn more →Propane works anywhere — including homes without natural gas utility service — because the fuel is stored on-site in a tank rather than delivered through a utility line.
Learn more →Commercial installations generally involve larger load calculations, three-phase power considerations, and stricter code requirements than a typical single-family residential setup.
Learn more →Informational only — we are not an authorized dealer or installer for any manufacturer listed here.
Generac
One of the most widely installed residential standby brands in the U.S., with a broad range of kW capacities.
See installation cost →Kohler
A common alternative to Generac, with several residential kW tiers.
See installation cost →Cummins
Known for both residential and commercial-grade standby generator lines.
See installation cost →Local professional availability, permit requirements, and typical pricing all vary by area. Browse our location directory to see what's relevant near you.
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We publish research and connect you with local professionals — we don't sell or install generators ourselves.
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Plain-language guides
Sizing, permits, and cost breakdowns explained without sales pressure.
Request free quotes from independent local professionals — no obligation to hire anyone who contacts you.
