Whole House Generator Cost: What You'll Actually Pay in 2026
By LumoWatt Editorial Team · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-08-29
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Find installers near you →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.
About this data
- Cost ranges are LumoWatt directory estimates compiled from the per-city cost data on file across the installers in this directory. They are not manufacturer-quoted or contractor-verified figures.
- Permit requirementsare sourced from each city's own municipal building or development services department, noted per city throughout this guide.
- Installation standards are based on manufacturer documentation (Generac, Kohler, Cummins) and the National Electrical Code (NEC 702).
For methodology details and full directory statistics, see the 2026 Directory Data Report. Cost figures are estimates only, get quotes from license-checked local installers for a number specific to your project.
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.