Standby generator installation in the Bay Area

Generator Installation

Stay Powered Through Every PSPS.

Whole-home automatic transfer switches and portable-generator interlocks — sized to your home, permitted, and commissioned to start when the utility doesn't.

Get a Fixed Quote (650) 550-0719

What & Why

From a portable interlock to a whole-home ATS.

There is no one-size-fits-all generator answer. A whole-home automatic transfer switch (ATS) gives full coverage with no thought; a critical-load sub-panel cuts the cost in half if you only need internet + fridge + a heat-pump zone running; a portable + interlock gives you the cheapest entry-point if you are willing to roll it out manually.

We do the load calc, recommend the path that fits your usage and budget, and coordinate the gas and concrete trades so they show up in the right order.

Typical Project Snapshot

Common ranges for Bay Area generator installs. Exact numbers confirmed in your written quote.

Electrical Scope

1–2 days on-site

Total Project

3–6 weeks end-to-end

Coordinated Trades

Gas + concrete + commissioning

Sizing

14–26kW typical residential

Out of Scope (other trades)

Concrete pad, gas-line hookup, PG&E gas-meter upgrade

What's Included

Six things, every install.

From load calc to commissioning to inspection sign-off.

Load Calc & Sizing

Load Calc & Sizing

Whole-home or critical-load? We run the load calc and recommend a generator size that matches your usage and budget, not whatever is on sale.

Permits & Coordination

Permits & Coordination

Electrical permit pulled under our C-10. We coordinate with your gas trade and concrete trade so they show up in the right sequence.

Transfer Switch Install

Transfer Switch Install

Service-rated automatic transfer switch wired between utility meter and panel, or interlock kit + inlet for portable units.

Generator Wiring

Generator Wiring

Conduit and conductors from generator pad to ATS, properly sized and labeled. Battery charger and remote-start wiring landed.

Commissioning & Test

Commissioning & Test

Generator started, transfer switch tripped under load, automatic restart verified, exercise schedule programmed.

Inspection & Handoff

Inspection & Handoff

City electrical inspection coordinated. Signed permit card, generator commissioning report, and start-up instructions delivered in a folder.

When You Need It

Six reasons a generator earns its keep.

Repeated PSPS Outages

PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs in your area? A standby generator is the long-term answer.

Well Pump or Septic

No utility = no water. Generator on the well pump circuit is non-negotiable in rural service areas.

Medical Equipment at Home

CPAP, oxygen concentrator, refrigerated medication — uninterrupted power is a safety requirement.

Work-from-Home Critical

Lost a workday last storm season? A generator on a sub-panel (office + internet + fridge) pays for itself fast.

Aging Utility Infrastructure

If your neighborhood sees more than 2–3 outages a year, your line is on the PG&E replacement list — but replacement timelines slip.

Budget-Conscious — Portable Path

Interlock kit + generator inlet box gives you 70% of the value for 20% of the cost. We install both paths.

Pricing Context

What a generator install typically costs in the Bay Area.

Electrical scope only. Concrete, gas, and the generator unit itself are quoted separately.

Whole-home automatic transfer switch + electrical install$5,000 – $15,000
Critical-load sub-panel + manual transfer switch$3,500 – $7,500
Portable generator interlock + 50A inlet box$850 – $1,600
Generator unit (14–26kW Generac/Kohler/Cummins, retail)$4,000 – $10,000

Permit fees and inspection coordination are passed through at cost. Generator unit can be supplied by you or sourced through us at retail.

FAQ

Generator questions, straight answers.

Electrical scope (transfer switch + interlocked panel work + generator wiring) typically runs $5,000 – $15,000 depending on panel age and generator size. The generator unit itself (Generac, Kohler, Cummins, 14kW–26kW range) is roughly $4,000 – $10,000 retail. Concrete pad, gas-line hookup, and PG&E gas-meter upgrade are typically separate scopes by other trades.

Yes — electrical permit, mechanical permit (for gas), and often a site / setback review with your city. We pull the electrical permit; the gas trade pulls the mechanical permit. Some HOAs also require approval for the outdoor enclosure.

Yes — a lower-cost alternative. We install a code-approved interlock kit at the panel and a generator inlet box (usually 30A or 50A) outside. You roll out the portable, plug in, and the interlock prevents back-feeding the grid. Typically $850 – $1,600 plus the portable generator and cord set.

It is an automatic switch that senses utility power loss, signals the generator to start, and routes generator power to your panel (or to a sub-panel with selected critical circuits). When utility returns, it transfers back and shuts the generator down. Most installs use a 200A service-rated automatic transfer switch.

Depends on the generator size. A 22–24kW unit will run a typical 2,500 sqft home including HVAC, well pump, and most appliances simultaneously. Smaller units (14–18kW) power critical loads via a sub-panel — kitchen, fridge, internet, a heat-pump zone, lights — but cannot run central AC at the same time as a range.

Electrical scope is typically 1–2 days. Coordinated trades (concrete pad, gas, generator commissioning) add another 1–3 days. Permitting and final inspection schedule the calendar — plan 3–6 weeks end-to-end from signed quote to fully commissioned.

Ready When You Are

Get a fixed quote for your generator install.

$200 on-site assessment. Quote within 48 hours. Credit applied to project if you proceed.

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