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Avatar for Garden Structures & More
Garden Structures & More
4.6(
73
)

Serving Perham, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Hal and I have been working together on several interior and exterior projects over the past three or four years.  The most recent project was the completion of the backyard fencing, including a gate.  As always, Hal expertly managed the project.  The quality of his work is always high.  The fence is gorgeous with Hal's sense of artistry clearly evident.  I find that Hal is extraordinarily conscientious and a very effective communicator.  He and his team are reliable, and Hal actively supervises the team to ensure that the work meets his high standards.  Hal and his team's work is completed quickly and timely, and the work site is always neat and clean.  Hal and his team are very careful to respect my neighbors' property during the tear down and construction phases and to keep my dogs' needs in mind (they always installed temporary fences over night so that the dogs could run during the evening).  It is hard for me to find words to describe the skill and artistry that Hal brings to fencing project.  I recommend referring to his website at www.gardenstructuresandmore.com.
I highly recommend Hal and Garden Structures and More for backyard fencing projects.  Hal listens to me and designs structures that match my tastes.  He provides me with guidance and suggestions that are truly helpful.  I don't spend any time managing Hal's projects or checking his work as I know that Hal has such high standards for his work.  Hal is very good at communicating with me.  I always know the status of a project because Hal has always contacted me before I can even thing about calling him.  In the end, Hal makes it really easy for me to get projects completed, which is something that I value in a contractor.  As an aside, Hal's skills and reliability extend to interior projects.  Hal has built two stair cases, refinished bathroom walls and ceiling, and completed other projects for me.  Hal is very knowledgeable, reliable, and skilled about interior projects.  Again, I highly recommend Hal and Garden Structures and More.
"
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+10

Recommended by95%of homeowners
Avatar for American Home Shield – Home Warranty
American Home Shield – Home Warranty
3.5(
5,688
)

Serving Perham, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"Well, the first time the replacement was ordered it was the wrong one, which of course, delayed the installation a week. When it was finally installed I had to pay an additional $850 for code upgrades. This I was not informed of by Home Shield. Then we noticed that there was water on the garage floor and found that the pipe coming in from the wall was leaking at the wall so had to call the plumbing company back out to fix it. They first tried to say it was not their fault but since there wasn't a leak before they installed they did fix it. I have used Home Shield a few times before and never had a problem. Some of the companies they use are not the best so you have to research them before you commit. I have found HS service to be good if you do your homework. At the end of the day I was without hot water for almost 3 weeks but it was do to the plumbing company they sent out."
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+2

Recommended by65%of homeowners
Avatar for Unytel, Inc.
Unytel, Inc.
3.7(
11
)

Serving Perham, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 2011

Free estimates

Unytel is recognized nationally for our telecommunication services that consistently exceed customer expectations. Our commitment to innovation has yielded a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that include a wide range of IT, Telecommunications, Construction, and Building Management services.We have over 16 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and look forward to working with you and your company.

Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

Sizing a generator is a careful process that requires calculating the electrical load of your entire house. You have to take into account every device you want to use and their wattage requirements, plus the wattage needed to start them, and look for a generator that can safely run all that at around 80% capacity.

In more practical terms, a small home can run on a 10,000-watt generator (and if you only want to power a few key appliances, much less than that). A mid-sized home may need something between 15,000 and 22,000 watts. Larger homes require 25,000 watts or more. 

You can expect a diesel generator to last for up to 30,000 hours of use, which works out to 20 to 25 years with the proper maintenance, of course. That depends on how much you use it, so a diesel generator used for emergencies a couple of times a year will last a lot longer than a generator that takes over for a faulty electrical grid every month for a day or two. 

Generally, you’ll want to keep between 60 and 70 feet between the generator and the transfer switch. There are a few reasons for this, including:

  • The distance reduces the noise coming from the generator into your home.

  • It increases efficiency because you won’t have a voltage drop from this short of a distance.

  • Prevents carbon monoxide poisoning: keep at least 15 feet between your generator and an open window. 

To determine the right size generator for your house, you should calculate the total wattage of the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. List all essential items, note their start-up wattages, and add them together.

Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:

  • Refrigerator: 600 watts

  • Large dehumidifier: 700 watts

  • Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts

  • Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

  • Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts

A 7,500-watt generator might be sufficient for essentials like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits. However, for high-demand items like a water heater or furnace, a whole-home generator is a better choice. A portable generator may be enough if you only need to power a few critical items.

While home square footage can offer a rough estimate, it is not always a reliable indicator. For reference, here are some typical generator sizes based on square footage:

  • 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

  • 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

  • 2,000 sq ft: 10–14 kW

  • 2,500 sq ft: 12–16 kW

  • 3,000 sq ft: 16–20 kW+

For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.

If your home already has a grinder pump and you’re still noticing issues (like frequently clogged toilets and sinks), it could be time to upgrade your grinder pump. Start by checking your existing horsepower. If there are four or fewer people living in your home, using a 1/2-horsepower grinder pump should be sufficient. Larger households should consider investing in a 1-horsepower grinder pump to maximize wastewater removal efforts.

The Perham, MN homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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