"I’m back again to write another stellar review for GAC. Last year they replaced our HVAC system; this year we circled back and had them install a home generator. This was a long and drawn out process due to the various approvals needed from Montgomery County as well as coordination with Washington Gas (which ended up not just being a simple sign off but necessitating an additional, expensive upgrade to the gas line from the street to our home). Nevertheless, GAC did a fantastic job shepherding this process over the 6+ months of waiting on stakeholders, and they were also maximally accommodating to our family’s significant constraints on time and availability (due to health concerns related to a medically fragile family member). A special kudos to Sandy M, GAC’s master electrician, who took it on personally to ensure we were taken care of all throughout this process, going above and beyond with phone calls, text messages, personal visits, etc. on behalf of my family, I want to thank GAC and am giving top marks across the board for this effort which was complex , lengthy, and ultimately successful."
"On both appointments, the technicians (David the first time, Matt & Evan the second time) were respectful and honest, very well organized. And they arrived right on time. We had ceiling fans and recessed lighting installed. They kept the work areas clean. -Frank K., City of Gambrills. My wife and I are very happy with their work, and the jobs were completed in the quoted time, even early! Everything was well explained and questions were answered with the feeling that they weren't in a rush to leave until I was satisfied. We will call again for future jobs."
"Outstanding service. I originally needed an electrician to determine why I lost power to ½ my house. What Jody uncovered was a defective circuit breaker and my main switches overheating and in the process of melting down. He was able to change out the panel and install new breakers immediately. I’m grateful for the prompt response by Gene and the professionalism of Jody and Brian."
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
"I wanted to use a locally owned electrical company, if possible, and was very happy to see the number of very good reviews for Evergreen Electric on Angie's list. I called early in the morning and Evergreen Electric was able to work me into their schedule on the same day which I was very grateful for due to the safety concerns of not having properly working smoke alarms in my house. Thad Sale and his assistant showed up at the appointed time and changed out the six smoke alarms very quickly. They also changed out one I had forgotten about (basement) while they were at my house. Also, Thad Sale gave me an estimate for a potential new electric project which seemed very reasonable. Evergreen was very professional and answered all my questions. The work was done very quickly and I feel much safer having properly working smoke alarms in my house. I would definitely call Evergreen Electric for my next electrical project.
"Awesome! I wanted to do a heavy-up at my new home. I shopped around and got quotes from several companies incl Tim. I chose Paradise because of the price, responsiveness, and professionalism that Tim conducted himself. The job called for significantly more work than expected because of my desire to eventually add a backup generator, Tim made sure that I would not need to reinvent the wheel later and installed the right equipment to meet my future needs. During the course of his work I decided to add several additional outlets and discovered a mis-wired light. He took care of all of the work in short order. Tim is officially my go-to electrician."
"The guy was on time and nice enough, if a little standoffish. That's okay, I don't like pushy salespeople, either. But he seemed reluctant to give me any information at all. I said I wanted to install a system as soon as possible, he offered "maybe in the spring." It's the dead of winter right now. Every other contractor I've had out is willing to do the work next week. Again, standoffish and strange. He had no pamphlets, no brochures, and nothing to sell. I didn't learn anything about the company or the kind of work that would be done. I'm not at all sure what systems he was going to send me proposals for, but it's been two days, and he hasn't sent me the proposal yet. I've already got three other proposals within the same two day timeframe, have made my decision, and am getting it installed next week. Dynatemp has still sent me nothing. I guess they were way too busy.
UPDATE - Since posting this review, the company has responded by email and apologized for the delay. I've changed the grade of the overall experience so as to not unfairly weight down their overall grade.
UPDATE #2 - I see in the response section that they're saying the guy came out on Thursday. Not true. I even looked at my phone records to confirm it. The guy called me Wednesday at 12:26pm to say he'd be there within half an hour. He was there at 1pm on 2/13. I posted this review on Friday late afternoon, 2/15, well beyond a 48 hour period. Only then, after the negative review, did I hear from them on Saturday morning. I even conceded a bit and updated my review to give them a B grade to reflect such! I'd be weary of dealing with a company that argues over the day they showed up."
A home that is 2,500 square feet will likely need a 20kW to 25kW generator. Consult your local generator installer to confirm the generator size needed to power your home before purchasing a new one. Be sure to consider how much power your necessary devices need to run.
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.
Yes. You can connect your home back-up battery to a generator with its designated charger. Be sure that the output of the generator matches the input requirements for the battery for best results.
Whole-house generators need to be installed on level ground several feet away from walls and other objects. Because they tap into the electrical system directly, they usually need to be close to your home electrical panel for a transfer switch installation. It also helps with installation if they are near to a gas line or propane tank installation.
Generators are safe to use as long as they are installed and operated correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The most critical safety tips are to never use a portable or fuel-powered generator inside an enclosed space due to the risk of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning; always operate it outdoors where fumes can dissipate away from your home. Additionally, never attempt to connect a generator to your home’s electrical panel yourself—hire a professional to ensure the setup meets safety standards. Finally, avoid overloading the generator by not connecting more appliances than it is rated for, as this can damage your equipment or cause a fire.
The Owings, 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 Baltimore, MD varies based on factors like generator size, fuel type, and installation complexity. Learn the typical price range and what influences your total cost.
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.
