"Anthony and his team do expert electrical work of all kinds. We are a 145 year old non-profit organization with buildings and grounds, and have contracted with Technician Engineers Group (TEG) on two large projects (and several small ones) over the last 15 years. One project rewired a large 125 year old building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and one installed an extensive outdoor lighting system. In these two unusual situations TEG worked closely with us to find innovative solutions to our unique needs. We are very pleased with the results, enjoyed their can-do approach, and highly recommend this company for any electrical challenge. We found TEG reliable, honest, on time, and all the work was completed ahead of schedule."
Calvert Generator is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.\n
"Ron Ethridge has been our Electrician of chose for the past three years. I started out using Ron to service my generator after the warranty lapsed. Heâ  s provided that big company expertise with that small organization connection. Since that time Ron and his team have provided electrical services for our entire home. I feel comfortable leaving Ron in our home while weâ  re away which is a huge feat for me particularly. Iâ  m grateful for the service that Ron and his team continues to provide to our family."
"I ended up hiring someone else who could install a ceiling fan as Paradise Construction was afraid of needing to tear up a large section of the ceiling and I didn’t want to create additional work and expense."
"It's a little strange. We've been very pleased and they were here in March to do service as part of the maintainence contract. Fall has rolled around and all of their numbers are out of service. They have my money and have gone AWOL. "
"Everything was fantastic, I was very satisfied with the work - I am really in love with the lights that they installed. I would highly recommend this company to friends and family or anybody that wants to hire an electrician."
"It went very well. Tony is very responsive, courteous, and goes out of his way to make things convenient for the customer. Not only is he very competent and thorough in his work, but he also did a lot of the leg work, picking things up at the electric supply store, returned a couple things that I had incorrectly purchased there in my own trips prior to hiring him, and even went there on my behalf for a bed lamp that needed a new contact. He disconnected it, brought it to the store, took a trip back to the store a week later to pick it up, and reinstalled it for me. Tony could have applied a trip charge for each of the many visits he made to my place but didn't. He also took the time to explain options, solutions, and even gave me a bit of free schooling in electrical work. I highly recommend him and his business.
"He was fabulous and did a great job. It was a 20kw generator. He was very professional and came in uniform. He was thorough in discussing my options. He was able to install this in my basement instead of hanging it outside. The main reason why I'd recommend him so highly is that the unit I have is a big generator. I have it setup to run on propane. It turned out that the gas company did not lay the line within the county codes. Jim caught that and notified that. They argued with him, but the county came out and determined that it was potentially dangerous. The gas company had to redo the installation for free. He could of just finished the installation, and I would not have known the distance."
Yes, in most municipalities, you will need a permit to install a permanent home generator, including emergency backup, partial-home, and whole-home models. Because these installations involve significant alterations to your home's electrical system and produce exhaust fumes, local governments often require a permit or inspection for safety purposes. A generator permit typically costs between $50 and $250, depending on your location. Your electrician or certified installer can usually handle the permitting process for you, but you will be responsible for the cost. It's a good practice to confirm with your installer that they will pull all necessary permits before work begins.
DIY is possible for basic setups. Professional installation ensures safe and proper electrical connections.
You can determine what size generator you need for a transfer switch by matching the switch to the largest outlet on your generator. Larger generators can power up to 10 circuits, while most 5,000-watt generators can provide power to six circuits. So, if your generator’s largest outlet is 30 amps, you’ll need a 30-amp transfer switch.
Most homeowners won't be able to claim a home generator as a tax write-off. However, a whole-house generator may be tax-deductible in certain situations depending on its purpose. For instance, if it's needed to power essential medical equipment, it may qualify as a medical expense deduction. Also, in some cases, businesses can deduct a generator as a business expense if it supports operations. Always consult a tax professional to determine eligibility based on your specific circumstances and the applicable IRS regulations.
The average cost to install a home generator is $5,200, but total costs can range from $500 to $18,000 or more. The final price depends on several factors, including the generator's size, type, brand, fuel source, and the cost of labor and assembly. The generator's size is the most significant cost factor, as units that can power larger homes with higher energy demands cost more.
Cost breakdowns by generator type are typically as follows:
Portable or Emergency Backup Generators (1kW–7.5kW): $500–$2,000
To ensure you get the right size unit for your needs without overpaying, consider hiring an electrician to calculate the electrical load of your essential appliances. It is also recommended to get at least three quotes from qualified installers to find the best fit for your budget.
The Indian Head, MD homeowners’ guide to generator installs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to install a whole-house generator in Washington, DC varies based on factors like generator size, fuel type, and installation complexity. Learn the typical price range and what influences your total cost.
Generators should give you peace of mind, but you’ll only get that if your installer knows what they’re doing. Learn how to hire a pro and what red flags to look for.
