Generator Installation in California
Standby generators, transfer switches and battery backup sized to the circuits that matter.
482 cities, 54 counties, open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Service directory — California
MAIN 200AElectrical emergency anywhere in California? Sparking outlet, burning smell, no power. Turn the circuit off and call.
(833) 652-8933Generator Installation done properly
Public safety power shutoffs and storm outages made backup power a normal purchase in California rather than a luxury. The generator is the easy part. Deciding what it has to carry, and wiring the transfer equipment correctly, is the job.
We work statewide, and every quote is a flat price for a defined scope. Find your city below for local detail and a local page, or call and we will tell you what the job looks like for your address.
| Common sizes | 14kW to 26kW air-cooled for homes, larger liquid-cooled for estates |
|---|---|
| Transfer equipment | Service-rated automatic transfer switch or interlocked main |
| Duration | One to two days electrical, plus gas and inspection scheduling |
| Included | Load study, permit, pad, wiring, commissioning and a live test |
What we cover
- Whole house standby generator installation
- Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton and Champion units
- Automatic transfer switch installation and wiring
- Manual transfer switches and interlock kits
- Portable generator inlet boxes
- Critical-load subpanels for essential circuits
- Battery backup and whole-home battery installation
- Concrete or composite pad and mounting
- Grounding, bonding and utility coordination
- Commissioning, load test and owner walkthrough
Common situations
Not sure what size to buy
We meter and calculate rather than estimate. Most your city homes land between 14kW and 26kW depending on AC, well pumps and electric ranges.
Whole house or essential circuits
A critical-load subpanel is far cheaper than whole-house coverage and keeps heat, refrigeration and internet running. We price both.
Existing generator won't start on outage
Usually the transfer switch, the battery or the exercise routine, not the engine. We diagnose the switching first.
Extension cords through a window
Common and genuinely dangerous. An inlet box and interlock costs a fraction of a standby unit and ends the practice.
Questions about generator installation
How much does a whole house generator cost in California?
The unit is roughly half the project. The rest is the transfer switch, pad, gas line, electrical and permit. Sizing drives everything, so call (833) 652-8933 and we will run a load study before quoting.
Do I need a permit to install a generator in California?
Yes, and often a gas permit too. We handle the electrical permit and inspection and coordinate with your gas contractor or plumber.
How often does a standby generator need service?
An annual service plus the weekly self-exercise cycle. The exercise routine matters more than owners expect, because it is what catches a dead battery before an outage does.
Can you install a battery instead of a generator in California?
Yes. Battery backup runs silent, needs no fuel and pairs with solar, but has a fixed energy budget. For multi-day PSPS events a generator still wins on runtime.
Will the generator start automatically when the power goes out?
With an automatic transfer switch, yes, typically within 10 to 30 seconds. With a manual switch or interlock you start it and flip the switch yourself, which is a cheaper install.
Other electrical services
Book generator installation in California
Call and speak to a dispatcher now, or send the details and we will come back with a time and a price.