How to Install a Whole House Generator: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
A step-by-step look at how professional standby generator installation really works, from site survey to final inspection.
Permits, code requirements, transfer switches, and what to expect from a professional installation.
A step-by-step look at how professional standby generator installation really works, from site survey to final inspection.
You can hire a licensed electrician directly, use a full-service generator dealer, or go through a general contractor — each path has different tradeoffs.
Natural gas offers unlimited runtime if you have a service line, while propane works anywhere but needs a tank and periodic refills — here is how to choose.
Generator noise is regulated by a patchwork of local ordinances covering decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and property line distances.
Sizing a standby generator correctly means adding up running watts, accounting for appliance startup surges, and deciding what you actually want to power.