How Much Does It Cost to Install a Generator?
In This Guide
Beyond the price of the unit, the cost to install a generator is the number that surprises most buyers, because for a standby system the installation often costs as much as the generator itself. What you pay depends entirely on the type: a portable needs only a transfer switch or interlock, while a whole house standby is a full electrical and fuel project that a licensed electrician must complete to code. This guide covers both, with every line item that goes into the total.
Portable Versus Standby Installation
| Setup | Install cost |
|---|---|
| Portable, interlock kit | About $400 to $900 |
| Portable, manual transfer switch | About $1,000 to $2,200 |
| Standby, automatic transfer switch and full install | About $3,000 to $7,000 or more |
Portables Need Little Installation
A portable generator itself needs no installation, you roll it out and fuel it. To power your home's circuits safely, though, you need a way to connect it: an interlock kit at around $400 to $900, or a manual transfer switch at roughly $1,000 to $2,200. Both let you avoid dangerous backfeeding.
Standby Installation Is a Full Project
A standby generator install is a complete job. It includes the automatic transfer switch, a concrete or composite pad, the electrical conductor run from the generator to your panel, the fuel line connection, permits, and inspection. That is why it commonly adds $3,000 to $7,000 or more, with the national average around $4,500.
What Changes the Install Price
- Transfer switch type: an automatic switch costs far more than a manual one.
- Fuel work: a new gas line or a propane tank adds cost.
- Panel and wiring: a panel upgrade or long conduit run raises the total.
- Permits and inspection: almost always required, and worth budgeting for.
Use a Licensed Electrician
Generator Service From Wildwood
Whatever generator you buy, Wildwood keeps it running. A technician comes to your driveway, services or repairs it on site, and quotes a flat rate before any work. More than 10,000 repairs since 2019, generator service from $75. Call 888-594-5516.