Whole House Generator Cost: What You'll Actually Pay in 2026
By LumoWatt Editorial Team · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-08-29
All-in cost breakdown
- Generator unit: $2,000 to $10,000 depending on brand and size
- Installation labor: $3,000 to $5,000
- Transfer switch: included in most installer quotes, $1,000 to $1,500 if priced separately
- Permit fees: $50 to $500 depending on your city (see your state page for specifics)
- Gas line work (if needed): $500 to $2,000
Typical all-in total: $5,000 to $15,000.
What drives the price up
Larger homes needing higher-kW units, difficult equipment-placement sites (long gas-line runs, tight setbacks), and permit complexity in flood-zone or hurricane-code jurisdictions.
How to get an accurate number
Get quotes from at least 2 to 3 verified local installers. See your city's installer page, since regional labor rates and local permit costs vary meaningfully, for example, Fairbanks, AK sees notably higher costs due to remote-market logistics, while Newport, RI and Bend, OR run closer to the typical range above.
See our transfer switch cost guide for a closer look at that line item, our permit requirements guide for what permitting adds, and our cost by city guide for typical ranges in specific metros. Haven't picked a system size yet? Start with our sizing guide.
Cost figures above are LumoWatt directory estimates compiled from installer- and city-reported pricing, not a quote. Actual cost depends on your home, region, and system size, get quotes from license-checked local installers for a number specific to your situation.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a generator add value to my home?
- Real estate appraisers generally don't assign a large direct value increase, but in outage-prone regions it's increasingly cited by buyers' agents as a meaningful selling point that can speed up a sale.