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Avatar for Red Clay Mechanical LLC
Red Clay Mechanical LLC
5.0(
3
)

Serving Chatham, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

"I had an excellent experience working with this company from start to finish. The team was professional, responsive, and truly cared about providing quality service. They communicated clearly throughout the entire process and made everything stress-free and easy to understand. What stood out most was their attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction. It’s hard to find businesses these days that genuinely go above and beyond, but this company absolutely did. The work was completed on time, exceeded my expectations, and the quality was outstanding! I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for reliable, honest, and professional service. I will definitely be using them again in the future!"
Mounted 75" TV
Handyman Projects
Handyman Projects
Handyman Projects
Handyman Projects

+8

2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Wynn's Electric, LLC
4.9(
6
)

Serving Chatham, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Kenneth Wynn came to install a generator transfer switch box inside my house and a plug for outside. He was very professional and was training two younger guys who were very nice and courteous. I was thankful that the Lord had put me in contact with somebody that I could trust! I would definitely call him again for any electrical work that I might need in the future."
Response time10 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for The Home Depot - Generators
The Home Depot - Generators
2.5(
1
)

Serving Chatham, VA 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

John McCane Electrical & Home Improvements
New to Angi

Serving Chatham, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction, from the start to the completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

To reduce AC startup power for a whole-house generator, install a soft start kit or hard start capacitor, which lowers the initial surge by gradually ramping up the compressor. Using a smart load manager can also help by staggering startup loads, preventing a system overload and future costly repairs.

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

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

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

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.

In most municipalities, you will need a permit to install a permanent home generator, including emergency backup, partial-home, and whole-home generators. A permit for a generator usually costs between $50 and $250, depending on where you live. Your electrician or certified generator installer will usually pull the permit for you—and might be required to do so by your building department—but you’ll be on the hook for the cost of the permit. You should ask your installer before agreeing to any work if they will pull the necessary permits for your project.

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 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.

The Chatham, VA homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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