HomeGuide's current average range for a whole-house generator and installation.
Check source2026 US standby-generator cost planner
Whole House Generator Cost Calculator: 2026 Install Estimate
Estimate a 14–26 kW home standby generator project from current equipment and installation evidence, with transfer switch, fuel line, propane tank, panel, pad and permit costs shown separately.
Quick installed-cost answer
How much does a whole-house generator cost?
Current US evidence places many whole-house generator projects around $6,000–$11,000 installed, while long routes or systems over 20 kW are reported around $9,500–$24,000. The calculator separates the generator from transfer, fuel, electrical, pad and permit work so bundled items are not silently counted twice.
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Build an installed generator budget
Choose a planning capacity, then show the site, transfer, fuel, electrical and permit scope instead of hiding it in one multiplier.
Generator Cost Calculator · generatorcostcalculator.com
Installed planning range
$10,130–$18,850Midpoint: $14,49022 kW 2026 equipment band$5,000–$6,500
Core installation allowance$4,000–$8,000
Selected project additions$1,130–$4,350
New fuel-line allowance20 ft × $15–$50
- Evidence reviewed 14 September 2026; every published band and modeled scope is identified in the methodology.
- The fuel-line allowance does not prove that the meter, regulator, tank, pipe or pressure is adequate.
- A qualified installer must size the generator, fuel system and electrical work and confirm permits, clearances and commissioning.
Evidence reviewed 14 September 2026
The current ranges behind the calculator
These dated US observations bound a transparent planning model. They are not additive unless the selected item is outside the quoted package, and they do not replace a local load calculation, fuel design, permit review or installed proposal.
HomeGuide's separate high-scope range showing why size and routing cannot be hidden in one average.
Check sourceManufacturer sizing page statement including generator, system equipment, materials and installation.
Check sourceAngi's September 2026 capacity band, before installation.
Check sourceAngi's September 2026 capacity band, before installation.
Check sourceAngi's September 2026 capacity band; larger equipment creates a materially wider range.
Check sourceManufacturer starting MSRP for generator-only cellular model 7258; packages with switches differ.
Check sourceManufacturer starting MSRP for generator-only cellular model 7259; packages with switches differ.
Check sourceManufacturer starting MSRP for generator-only cellular model 7260; packages with switches differ.
Check sourceManufacturer starting MSRP for generator-only cellular model 7327; packages with switches differ.
Check sourceHomeGuide's current automatic-switch observation.
Check sourceHomeGuide's current gas-line planning range; pipe sizing and capacity still require design.
Check sourceHomeGuide's current project-component observation; tank size, ownership and burial can change it.
Check sourceHomeGuide's current separate pad and permit observations.
Check sourceHomeGuide's January 2026 whole-house maintenance-plan observation.
Check sourceTransparent method
What the estimate does—and does not—calculate
The model starts with 2026 equipment bands for 14–26 kW gaseous standby generators, adds a core installation allowance, then itemizes the automatic transfer switch, new fuel-line length, propane tank, subpanel, pad and permit choices. Straightforward and complex installation anchors come from current market evidence; the middle band is an explicit planning interpolation. No hidden fuel or regional multiplier is used.
Read the model and sourcesPlan the full scope
Cost and decision guides
Each page owns one search intent and leads back to the same transparent estimator.
Browse the complete guide library01 · Installation scope
Generator Installation Cost Calculator: Labor & Project Scope
Calculate a complete standby-generator installation budget, separating equipment, labor, transfer switch, fuel, electrical, pad and permit scope.
Read guide02 · Capacity planningWhat Size Whole-House Generator Do I Need?
Plan essential, managed or whole-home backup from actual running and starting loads rather than square footage alone.
Read guide03 · Complete systemStandby Generator Cost: Equipment and Installation
Compare complete permanently installed standby systems rather than unit-only prices or ambiguous installation averages.
Read guide04 · Fuel useGenerator Running Cost: Natural Gas and Propane
Calculate outage fuel cost from the exact model's consumption table, expected load, runtime and current local tariff.
Read guide05 · Electrical scopeAutomatic Transfer Switch Installation Cost
Compare automatic and manual transfer equipment, service ratings, panel work and load-management scope.
Read guide06 · Brand planningGenerac Generator Installation Cost
Separate current Generac generator-only MSRP, transfer-switch packages and property-specific installation work.
Read guide07 · Capacity pricesWhole-House Generator Cost by Size: 14–26 kW Compared
Compare current 14, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 kW equipment evidence, then add transfer, fuel, electrical, pad and permit scope.
Read guide08 · Piped fuelNatural Gas Whole-House Generator Cost
Estimate a natural-gas standby system while keeping generator, installation, fuel-line and utility-capacity work separate.
Read guide09 · Stored fuelWhole-House Propane Generator Cost
Build a propane standby-generator budget that separates the unit, tank, piping, electrical work and usable outage fuel.
Read guide10 · Recurring serviceWhole-House Generator Maintenance Cost
Plan annual standby-generator service, consumables, testing and warranty requirements separately from repairs.
Read guide11 · Backup optionsPortable vs Standby Generator Cost
Compare equipment, safe electrical connection, operating effort and coverage rather than only the generator purchase price.
Read guide12 · Fault diagnosisGenerator Repair Cost: Minor and Major Repairs
Plan generator diagnosis and repair by component while keeping annual maintenance, emergency callout and full replacement separate.
Read guide13 · Home-size scenarioWhole-House Generator Cost for a 2,000 Sq Ft Home
Price a 2,000-square-foot home scenario without pretending floor area determines generator capacity.
Read guide14 · Popular capacity22 kW Whole-House Generator Cost: Equipment and Installation
Separate a 22 kW generator package from fuel, electrical, placement and permit work before comparing installed quotes.
Read guide15 · Large air-cooled standby26 kW Whole-House Generator Cost: Unit and Installation
Separate current 26 kW equipment pricing from transfer, fuel, electrical, site and permit work before comparing installed proposals.
Read guide16 · 18 kW standby power18 kW Whole-House Generator Cost: Equipment and Installation
Price an 18 kW standby-generator scenario with the transfer, fuel, electrical, pad and permit scope left visible.
Read guide17 · 14 kW standby power14 kW Whole-House Generator Cost: Equipment and Installation
Price a 14 kW standby-generator scenario while keeping transfer, fuel, electrical, pad and permit work visible.
Read guide18 · Large-home standby powerWhole-House Generator Cost for a 3,000 Sq Ft Home
Build a 3,000-square-foot home standby-generator budget without sizing the system from floor area alone.
Read guide19 · 24 kW standby power24 kW Whole-House Generator Cost: Unit and Installation
Estimate a 24 kW standby-generator project while keeping the unit, transfer switch, fuel, electrical, pad and permit scope separate.
Read guide20 · 20 kW standby power20 kW Whole-House Generator Cost: 2026 Installed Estimate
Estimate a 20 kW standby-generator project with equipment, installation, transfer, fuel, pad and permit scope shown separately.
Read guideEvidence register
Sources stay attached to the model.
- HomeGuide whole-house generator cost guideDecember 2025 current installed, unit, labor, size and project-component observations; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Angi whole-house generator cost guideSeptember 2026 capacity, equipment and installation observations; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Generac home-generator sizing and cost guideManufacturer sizing inputs and current $8,000–$16,000 complete-system statement; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Generac 14 kW product pageCurrent unit-only MSRP and model fuel-consumption example; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Generac 18 kW product pageCurrent unit-only MSRP and model fuel-consumption example; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Generac 22 kW product pageCurrent unit-only MSRP and model fuel-consumption example; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Generac 26 kW product pageCurrent unit-only MSRP and model fuel-consumption example; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- HomeGuide transfer-switch cost guideCurrent automatic, manual and interlock installed-price observations; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- HomeGuide generator repair and maintenance guideJanuary 2026 maintenance, repair and service-call observations; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- CPSC generator safety guidanceOfficial portable-generator carbon-monoxide safety boundary; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FEMA manual transfer-switch guidanceOfficial grid-isolation and backfeed explanation; reviewed 14 September 2026.