"I have been hiring Cody Malone since we purchased our house in July 2012. They have switched out outlets, installed indoor ceiling fans, installed outdoor ceiling fans, ran electrical to my outdoor water feature and switched out my light fixtures. I plan to hire them again when I add electric to my detached garage. They always do a great job and arrive when they say they will. I have never had a single issue and they have been to my house for no less than six different projects!"
"SciFiHomes, Inc. did a great job installing our whole-house generator. They are friendly, efficient, reliable. They take the time to do things right and make sure the homeowner understands the equipment."
"They did a fabulous job and I would recommend them to anyone!! The crew was professional and definitely knew what they were doing. Even from the beginning when I was looking to upgrade my old electric panel, they showed me different options and didn’t try to sell me anything I didn’t need. 10 out of 10 would highly recommend!"
"You cannot find a better contractor than Raufi Services. We hired Raufi Services to install 240V/50A wiring for a hot tub. They were extremely efficient, polite, and timely. The quality of their work was outstanding--I couldn't even tell they ran the wiring in the house after they were done. They were also very competitive in their cost estimate."
"The project was great with Snell from start to finish! Joseph presented all of my options in a knowledgeable and professional manner. Dan and Gabe did an excellent job with installation. I am extremely pleased."
Benfield Electric Company is an area leader in the Electrical Service field, serving customers throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. We work with residential and commercial clients and pride ourselves on our capability to meet all types of electrical wiring demands and deadlines. Established in 1968, we are a licensed, bonded and insured class A Electrical contractor. We are focused on providing a wide array of services to meet all our customer's needs
"They are sewer and drain specialists and they do it really well. Reasonable prices, responsive service. We had family visiting and they moved schedules to and to us. We're grateful that they did so."
Stinnett Electrical Services, 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 your interests and make your concerns the basis of our business.
You may need a permit for a portable generator if you’ll be installing a transfer switch for your primary residence or similar work. Otherwise, a permit for other uses may not be necessary. Check your local building codes or ask a local generator installer for more information about your local regulations.
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.
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.
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.
An undersized whole-house generator has the potential to overheat and shut down when you try to run a central AC system. This scenario can not only damage the whole-house generator, but can also trip your home’s breakers or cause electrical damage. To avoid this situation, hire a local generator installer to correctly size your whole-house generator.
The Occoquan, VA 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.
Thinking about a generator installation? Learn about backup power options, costs to expect, and how to hire the right local pro to keep your home running.
