Top-rated generator install pros.

Get matched with top generator install pros in Alice, TX

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your generator install project in Alice, TX?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Find Generator install pros in Alice

Avatar for Elite Electric & Automatic Gate of South Texas
Elite Electric & Automatic Gate of South Texas
4.9(
39
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install+4 more

Serving Alice, TX and surrounding areas

In business since 1994

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Robert Rodriguez arrived 1:00 PM, April 12, 2017 to diagnose problems w our security lights. He switched out sensors, bulbs for two rather dated lights and installed a junction box where he found exposed wires. He's an excellent electrician and highly recommend him to anyone who needs electrical work performed in the Rio Grande Valley."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+9

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for The Home Depot - Generators
The Home Depot - Generators
2.5(
1
)
Fixed Generator - Install

Serving Alice, TX and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Today, we're proud to be the world's largest home improvement retailer. In 2,300 stores across North America, we aspire to excel in service – to our customers, associates, communities and shareholders. That's what leadership means to us. That's The Home Depot difference.

Generators
Generators
Generators
Generator
Generators

+5

Showing 1-10 of 17
Generator Install questions, answered by experts

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.

If you have a transfer switch properly installed, the generator and main electrical power cannot feed the system at the same time. However, you should still shut off the power at your main circuit breaker panel before activating the generator. If you do that, you’ll simply need to shut off the generator and reset your circuit breaker once the local power comes back on.

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. 

The cost to install a whole-house generator averages $5,200, with a typical price range of $1,500 to $8,900. However, total costs can vary from $400 for a small portable unit to over $18,000 for a large-capacity system. The most significant cost factor is the generator's size and capacity, but other variables include the brand, fuel type, and labor for assembly and installation.

Generator costs can be broken down by type:

  • Portable or Emergency Backup Generators (1kW–7.5kW): $500 to $2,000

  • Partial-Home Generators (9kW–20kW): $2,000 to $6,500

  • Whole-House Generators (22kW–48kW): $5,000 to $18,000

To avoid paying for more power than you need, consider hiring an electrician to calculate the electrical load for your essential appliances. It is also recommended to get at least three quotes to find the best deal for your specific needs and budget.

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. 

The Alice, TX homeowners’ guide to generator installs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.