What does it cost to install a whole home Generac Generator in the San Jose Bay Area in 2024?
From the size and configuration of the generator to the location and distance from a gas meter and electrical panel, there can be a lot of nuances surrounding the generator installation process. Understanding these intricate details is key to making well-informed decisions that align with your specific needs and expectations. At Safety First Electric, we are here to provide you with the clarity and confidence needed to best understand the process.
To start with, the cost of installing a new Generac generator for your home can vary depending on many different variables such as:
Size of the generator
Configuration of your existing electrical panel
Location of the generator
Amount of circuits you're looking to have backed up
Distance between the gas meter and the proposed generator
Distance between the electrical panel and to the proposed generator
Options added (i.e. shroud cover, concrete pad, surge protection, permit/architectural drawings service, etc.)
Below is an example of some basic pricing for a whole home Generac generator installation in the San Jose, CA Bay area. First, here are some assumptions we are making about the generator:
22kw generator
Electrical panel is ready for a new generator
Generator is on the side of the house
30’ from the existing electrical panel, 30’ from the gas meter
With this in mind, that generator would cost $14,995. But there are many factors that can cause this price to fluctuate up or down, such as adding permit service, concrete pad for generator, surge protection, and if your city requires architectural drawings. Listed below are some basic costs for those items as well:
Permit service $1,500
Concrete Pad $1,500
Surge Protection: $700
Architectural Drawings: $3,000
Now that you have an idea of what the prices of these items are, let's break down the costs:
Materials 30%
Labor 40%
Company Overhead 10%
Profit 20%
We share these figures with you so that you can be an informed buyer of a whole home generator and so that we can be honest and upfront about our pricing and costs. We believe in being transparent so you can compare our services to any other service provider in the area!
BUT WHAT IF I HAVE A LOWER BID FROM ANOTHER CONTRACTOR…?
Contractors who provide a low bid are usually getting to that number by skimping out on proper/high-quality materials for the job, not properly staffing the job with adequate labor and training, not carrying proper insurance, and/or not having a fully staffed company to take your calls and handle administrative tasks before, during, and after your generator installation. Working with a lower bidding contractor presents a huge risk as they usually won’t tell you which one of these they are cutting corners on, and you as the homeowner will tend to find out the hard way.
At Safety First Electric, we know that your San Jose home is one of your largest investments, especially when it comes to your electrical service needs. Ready to get started with a whole home generator installation? Contact us today!