Estimate standby (14kW / 22kW / liquid-cooled) or portable + manual interlock. Pick fuel, ATS, gas-line run, and add-ons. 2026 data; not a contractor bid.
| Item | Quantity | Estimated range |
|---|
Got a contractor quote? Compare it to the planning range.
What this is: a planning-range generator calculator informed by Generac / Kohler / Cummins / Briggs & Stratton manufacturer pricing, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, and licensed cost-estimating references.
Labor is modeled from per-unit installed rates with a crew-rate sanity check ($80-$150/crew-hr loaded billing rate), informed by BLS OEWS 47-2111 (Electricians) and 47-2152 (Plumbers / Pipefitters).
Last updated: May 2026. Full methodology →
| Scope | Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Portable + manual interlock | $1,200-$3,500 | 4-6 hours |
| 8-10 kW standby (essentials) | $5,500-$9,000 | 1 day |
| 14-16 kW standby NG | $7,500-$13,000 | 1-2 days |
| 20-22 kW standby NG | $9,500-$16,000 | 1-2 days |
| 22 kW standby LP + tank | $11,000-$18,500 | 2-3 days |
| 30-50 kW liquid-cooled (estate) | $18,000-$35,000+ | 3-5 days |
The first decision sets the price bracket:
Occasional short outages on a budget → portable. Frequent or long outages, medical equipment, well pump, or working from home → standby.
| Size | Installed | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 kW | $5,500 – $9,000 | Essentials: fridge, furnace, sump, some lights/outlets |
| 14–16 kW | $7,500 – $13,000 | Most of a typical home, including one AC |
| 20–22 kW | $9,500 – $16,000 | A whole average home |
| 30–50 kW | $18,000 – $35,000+ | Large/estate homes, liquid-cooled |
An electrician sizes the unit from your actual panel load — oversizing wastes money and fuel, undersizing trips the generator under load.
A standby generator is a small system, not just a box. Budget for: the automatic transfer switch ($882–$1,500), a concrete pad ($352–$600), the electrical run from the ATS to your panel, and fuel hookup — a natural-gas line ($1,176–$2,000) if you have service, or a propane tank ($1,470–$2,500) if you don't. Natural gas is cheapest to run and never needs refilling; propane suits homes off the gas grid. One ongoing cost people miss: standby units need an annual maintenance contract ($294–$500/year) to stay under warranty and start when you need them.
14-16 kW standby on natural gas with ATS installed: $7,500-$13,000. 20-22 kW: $9,500-$16,000. Liquid-cooled 35 kW for larger homes: $18,000-$35,000+. Propane installs add $800-$2,500 for the tank if you don't have one. Portable + manual interlock: $1,200-$3,500 — much cheaper but you start it yourself.
Standby = whole-house, runs automatically within 10-20 seconds of outage, fueled by NG / LP, $7,500-$16,000 installed, requires permit + ATS. Portable + interlock = you wire 6-10 essential circuits to a manual transfer switch, fire up the gasoline / dual-fuel portable when needed, $1,200-$3,500 installed.
7-10 kW: essentials only (fridge, sump, well pump, lights). 14-16 kW: typical home with central AC + electric appliances. 20-22 kW: larger home + 5-ton AC. 35-50 kW liquid-cooled: estate-sized homes. The standard rule is to size to your largest motor load (usually AC) plus 20-30% headroom.
NG = unlimited fuel from utility, no storage. LP = independent of utility, but requires 250-500 gal tank ($800-$2,500). NG preferred where available.
Annual oil change + filter + battery test ($200-$500/yr). Run weekly self-test. Replace battery every 3-5 yr. Manufacturer 5-yr warranty typical.
An 8-10 kW essentials standby runs $5,500-$9,000 installed, a 14-16 kW unit $7,500-$13,000, and a 20-22 kW whole-home unit $9,500-$16,000. A portable with a transfer switch is $1,200-$3,500; large liquid-cooled units run $18,000-$35,000+.
An 8-10 kW unit covers essentials (fridge, furnace, sump, some lights). 14-16 kW handles most of a home including one AC; 20-22 kW runs a whole average home. An electrician should size it from your actual panel load.
Natural gas is cheapest to run and never needs refilling if you have a gas line (line run $1,176-$2,000). Propane suits homes off the gas grid but needs a tank ($1,470-$2,500). Both auto-start; the choice is mostly about what fuel you can get.
