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Whole House Generator Cost
See what sets the price of a home standby generator, then get a free written estimate with every line listed before any work starts.
Get a Free Written Estimate
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The Whole House Generator Cost comes down to your house, not a sticker on a box. Two homes on the same street can need very different gas, electrical and site work. This Whole House Generator Cost guide explains each factor, so you can read any estimate line by line.
We don't post a flat price, because a number that ignores your panel, gas meter and yard would only mislead you. What we do is visit, measure and give you a free written estimate with every part of the job listed. This guide sits under our whole house generator installation overview, which covers the full process from site visit to startup.
Lectro's tip
Ask for your estimate itemized. One lump number hides the gas line, the switch and the permit, and those are the lines worth comparing.
What sets your price
Generator size in kW and the loads you want covered
Fuel type and the gas line run to the pad
Transfer switch type and amperage
Panel condition and any electrical upgrades
Pad, placement, permit and inspection
What a good estimate lists
Generator brand, model and kW rating
Transfer switch model and amperage
Who runs the gas line and how far
Pad, permit and inspection as their own lines
Anything excluded, in writing
What goes into a standby generator price
A home standby generator price has two halves. One half is the equipment: the generator and its transfer switch. The other half is the installation: the gas line, the pad, the wiring, the permit and the startup. On many homes the installation half is the bigger share, and it is the part that changes most from house to house.
Use this table as a checklist when you compare quotes. Each row should appear on a written estimate, or come with a clear reason it doesn't apply.
Cost factor | Raises the price when |
|---|---|
Generator size | You want central air and the whole house covered |
Fuel | The pad is far from the meter, or the gas line needs upsizing |
Transfer switch | You need one rated for a full 200-amp service |
Electrical work | The panel is full or outdated, or the wire run is long |
Pad and placement | Clearances force grading or trenching |
Permit | Your address needs separate electrical and gas permits |
Generator size and the loads you want covered
Size is measured in kilowatts (kW), and it is the first number that moves the price. A larger generator costs more to buy. It also needs more fuel at full load, which can mean a bigger gas line and a bigger meter.
Essential circuits or the whole house
Some homeowners only need the furnace blower, sump pump, well pump, fridge, lights and a few outlets. Others want to live normally, central air included. Essential-circuit coverage lets you choose a smaller unit. Whole house coverage needs more capacity, or smart load management that pauses big loads when the generator is busy. Our guide to sizing a generator for your house walks through the load math.
Sizes we have installed
Our recent jobs include 22 kW Honeywell and 22 kW Generac home standby generators on natural gas, plus a 35 kW Generac in Belleville. Those are examples, not a recommendation for your home. Bigger loads such as shops, offices and small businesses are covered on our commercial generator installation page.
Fuel type and the gas line
Many homes in our area run a standby generator on natural gas from the same meter that feeds the furnace. The gas line from the meter to the generator is one of the biggest swing factors on any quote.
Distance and pipe size
The farther the pad sits from the meter, the more pipe and labor the job needs. The pipe also has to carry enough gas for the generator and your other appliances at the same time. An existing line or meter that is too small for the added load is a common reason for an upsize. Your gas utility decides on meter changes for your address.
Propane
Homes without natural gas can run a generator on propane. Then the tank size, its location, and whether you own or lease it all change the cost. Our natural gas vs propane comparison covers the tradeoffs. Either way, a good estimate says who runs the gas line and how far.
Transfer switch, panel and electrical work
The transfer switch moves your house from utility power to generator power and back. It keeps the two sources apart, which protects line workers from backfeed. Every standby install needs one, and its type is a real cost line.
Switch amperage
A switch for selected circuits costs less than one rated for your whole service. We have installed both 200 amp and 100 amp automatic transfer switches, matched to the home's service. The transfer switch installation page explains the options.
Panel condition
A full, damaged or very old panel may need work before a transfer switch can go in. That cost is separate from the generator. If your panel is a candidate, see our electrical panel upgrade page.
Wire run and load management
The distance from the generator to the switch and panel sets how much wire and conduit the job needs. Load management modules add some cost, but they can let a smaller generator cover more of the house.
Pad, placement, permit and inspection
A standby generator sits on a level pad outside the house. Pad size and type, site grading and the distance from the house all affect the price. Placement also has to follow the manufacturer's clearances from windows, doors and vents, plus local rules. Those limits can push the generator away from the meter and add pipe or trenching.
The permit and inspection are part of doing the job legally. Your city or township building department issues the permit and sets the fees, and some addresses need a separate gas permit. Confirm current requirements for your address. Our generator permit guide explains who pulls what and what the inspector checks.
How much is a Generac generator?
Generac generator prices depend on the model series, the kW size and what comes in the box. Manufacturer list prices also change during the year. So the honest answer is that the unit price is only one line, and the installation lines decide the total.
We install and service Generac, Honeywell and Kohler home standby generators. When you compare brands, compare them at the same kW size and with the same transfer switch. See our Generac generator installation page for what that job includes, or the Kohler generator installation page if you are leaning that way. The Generac vs Kohler comparison sets the two side by side.
Ways to lower the total
Cover essentials only. A smaller generator with a switch for chosen circuits costs less than whole house coverage.
Use load management. Modules on the central air or range can let a smaller unit do more.
Place it close. A pad near the gas meter and the panel cuts pipe, wire and trenching, as long as clearances allow.
Fix the panel once. If a panel upgrade is coming anyway, planning both jobs together avoids paying for the same work twice.
If a standby system is more than you need, an interlock kit and inlet box let you run a portable generator through your panel safely. It costs far less, but you roll the generator out and start it yourself. See our generator interlock kit installation page and the interlock kit vs transfer switch guide.
Costs after the install
A standby generator burns natural gas or propane while it runs during an outage and during its short scheduled exercise cycle. It doesn't change your normal electric bill. Fuel use goes up mainly when the power is out for a long stretch.
Plan for upkeep too. A generator needs regular service, much like a furnace: oil, filters, battery and a check of the controls. The yearly cost is modest but real over the life of the unit. Our Generac generator maintenance page lists what a service visit covers. Check the current warranty terms for the brand you choose, and register the unit after startup.
How our free written estimate works
You call (734) 697-8477 or send the form, and tell us what you want to keep running.
We visit and look at your panel, gas meter, wall space and yard.
We size the generator and transfer switch to your loads and service.
You get a detailed written estimate in advance, with each part of the job listed and no hidden charges.
3D Electric is a family-owned, licensed and insured electrical company in Belleville, with about two decades in the trade. Financing is available, and the written estimate shows exactly what you would be financing. When you are ready, request your free generator estimate and we will price your actual house.
Generator guides
What a Generac standby job includes
Match kW to the loads you want covered
Fuel tradeoffs for a home standby unit
Who pulls the permit and what gets inspected
The full process, start to finish
Written, itemized and in advance
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the generator size, fuel, the gas line run, the transfer switch, your panel, the pad and the permit. Those vary so much between homes that a posted number would mislead you. We give a free written estimate after looking at your house.
Generac prices vary by model series and kW size, and list prices change during the year. The unit is only part of the total, because gas, electrical and site work are priced on top. Compare brands at the same size and with the same transfer switch.
On many homes the installation work is a large share of the total. A long gas run, a gas line upsize or a panel upgrade can shift it further. A short run on a home with a modern panel keeps installation costs lower.
Your city or township building department sets the permit fees. Ask any installer whether the quote includes the permit, who schedules the inspection, and whether a separate gas permit applies at your address.
Yes, if you accept running fewer loads at once. A switch for essential circuits or load management modules can let a smaller unit work for your home. The sizing guide shows how to decide.
Financing is available. Ask about it when you request your free estimate. The written estimate lists each part of the job, so you know what is being financed.