Before the crew arrives

By the time installation day arrives, the site assessment, load calculation, and permitting should already be done. The crew shows up with a specific plan: where the pad goes, how the fuel line runs, and where the transfer switch and panel connections happen.

On-site work

The pad is placed and leveled first, since the generator sits on it. Electrical work — running conduit, wiring the transfer switch, connecting to the panel — happens alongside fuel line installation (natural gas or propane, sized to the unit).

Once the generator is set on the pad and connected, the crew tests startup and transfer under a simulated outage before calling the work complete.

After the crew leaves

A code inspection from your local permitting authority typically follows, confirming the installation meets requirements before final sign-off. Most installers also do a homeowner walkthrough covering the weekly self-test, basic maintenance expectations, and warranty registration.

Site cleanup and landscaping

Trenching for fuel and electrical lines disturbs some amount of yard, even on a straightforward job — a reasonable installer restores the disturbed area (backfilling trenches, replacing sod or mulch) as part of the standard scope rather than leaving it as an afterthought. It's worth asking what site restoration is included before work begins, especially if landscaping or hardscaping sits along the planned trench path.