Electrical · SOC 47-2111

Standby Generator Install (air-cooled whole-house) cost

A whole-house standby generator is the automatic cousin of a portable + transfer-switch setup: the unit sits outside, senses an outage, and the included automatic transfer switch flips the house over. National mid on our air-cooled package band: $7,547.

Materials are the Generac-class equipment + switch kits we shelf-checked at Home Depot ($4,100–$8,500). Hours 12/20/32 cover set, wire, and startup assumptions — not a long gas trench or a liquid-cooled commercial unit. Ask who pulls the gas permit.

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09

What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.
Hours (low / mid / high)
12 / 20 / 32
Materials band
$4,100 – $8,500
U.S. mid (before ZIP)
$7,547

air-cooled automatic standby package with included transfer switch on existing natural gas or propane service; concrete pad extras, long gas runs, and liquid-cooled units cost more. National OEWS mean wage used on this page: $34.37/hr (SOC 47-2111).

How the national mid is built

Before you enter a ZIP we use the U.S. OEWS mean wage for Electricians (SOC 47-2111): $34.37/hr (BLS OEWS May 2025). Mid estimate ≈ 20 hours × $34.37 × 2.25× markup + materials mid $6,000 (with a small regional materials factor). Low uses p10 wages × 2.0×; high uses p90 × 2.5×. National planning band: $4,592 – $7,547 – $12,674.

Full algebra: methodology. Markup schedule is Fairange’s published assumption, not a BLS figure.

Materials band (cited retail)

Published materials low / mid / high: $4,100 / $6,000 / $8,500 (air-cooled automatic standby package with included transfer switch on existing natural gas or propane service; concrete pad extras, long gas runs, and liquid-cooled units cost more). Shelf checks that shaped the band (see also DATA_SOURCES):

Generac HD bundles 2026-11-03: 10kW+switch ~$4,076.10 (7321); 18kW+200A ~$5,975.10 (7324); 22kW+200A ~$6,506.10 (7325). Gas trench / liquid-cooled out of band.

What usually moves the number

What’s in the planning band

Labor for a like-for-like device or fixture on an existing circuit, basic testing, and the parts band above.

Ask about before you sign

Run this job on your ZIP Electrical trade hub

Related jobs: Manual Transfer Switch Install (portable generator) · Electrical Panel Upgrade · New Branch Circuit Installation.

Also: calculator · methodology · city guides · all job guides · DATA_SOURCES.

Standby Generator Install (air-cooled whole-house) FAQ

How much does standby generator install (air-cooled whole-house) cost?

National mid planning estimate is about $7,547 before you enter a ZIP — labor from BLS OEWS May 2025 Electricians (SOC 47-2111, national mean $34.37/hr) × published hours, plus materials. Local OEWS wages move the band once you type a ZIP.

What hours, materials, and markup do you assume?

Hours 12 / 20 / 32. Materials band $4,100 / $6,000 / $8,500 from cited Home Depot (or similar) retail listings documented in DATA_SOURCES — not lead-gen marketplace averages. Example shelf checks: Generac HD bundles 2026-11-03: 10kW+switch ~$4,076.10 (7321); 18kW+200A ~$5,975.10 (7324); 22kW+200A ~$6,506.10 (7325). Gas trench / liquid-cooled out of band.. Labor markup 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× (Fairange methodology).

Is this a bid?

No. It’s an educational planning range. Collect at least three written scopes from licensed pros and compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, patching, and code upgrades.

Any rebates or tax credits?

Some utilities and state resilience programs rebate standby generators — search DSIRE and your utility. Fairange does not quote federal energy-efficiency credits for generators on this page.

Want actual bids?

Leave a few details if you’d like local pros to follow up. We’ll only share what you submit after you check the box below.