A Generac generator costs about $8,000 to $16,000 installed in 2026
Generac says most home standby generators cost $8,000 to $16,000 in total, including the generator, the transfer switch, materials and installation. The generator itself is only part of that. Generac lists a 22kW unit bundled with a transfer switch at about $7,369, and installers say the full job for that size usually comes to $11,000 to $14,000. Gas lines, panel work, permits and a pad make up the rest.
What a Generac generator costs installed
| Installed total, per Generac | $8,000 to $16,000 |
|---|---|
| 22kW, fully installed | $11,000 to $14,000 |
| Installation labor, one master electrician | $4,000 to $7,000 |
| Air cooled install and materials, Home Depot | $6,897 |
| 10kW with transfer switch, Generac catalog | $4,619 |
| 14kW with transfer switch, Generac catalog | $5,949 |
| 18kW with transfer switch, Generac catalog | $6,769 |
| 22kW with transfer switch, Generac catalog | $7,369 |
| 26kW with transfer switch, Generac catalog | $8,219 |
The generator price you see online is not the price of the finished job. Installation, the transfer switch, fuel and electrical work can cost as much as the generator itself. Sources: Generac, backup generator installation guide (checked September 2026); IB Lighting, standby generator installation cost, by a master electrician (May 2026); The Home Depot, cost to install a generator (checked September 2026); UDPOWER, Generac generator cost in 2026 with catalog prices (September 2026).
What changes your price
- Generator size. Bigger units run more of the house and cost more.
- Fuel. A natural gas line close to the pad costs less. No gas line means a propane tank.
- Gas line length. A long run from the meter to the pad adds pipe and labor.
- Your electrical panel. An old or full panel may need an upgrade before the switch goes in.
- Permits and pad. Most towns need a permit, and the unit needs a level pad.
- The dealer. Generac units are sold and installed by local authorized dealers who set their own labor prices.
Why the install costs as much as the generator
A home standby generator is not a plug in machine. It has to sense a power cut, safely cut your house off from the grid, start itself and then carry your home's power. UDPOWER notes that gas piping, electrical work, the transfer switch, permits, site work, trenching and panel changes can easily cost as much as the generator, or more.
Generac says a quote usually includes the generator, the automatic transfer switch, installation labor, electrical work, the fuel connection and site preparation, and may include permits and inspection costs. An authorized installer normally visits your home before giving a final price.
Fuel is a big swing. Team Adams says homes without natural gas need a propane tank, at about $1,500 to $3,500 for an underground tank or $800 to $1,800 above ground, and permits add about $200 to $600. The Home Depot puts a propane tank installation at $5,000 to $8,000 extra in its own guide, so get this line priced on your quote. Sources: UDPOWER, Generac generator cost in 2026 with catalog prices (September 2026); Generac, home standby generator estimate page (checked September 2026); Team Adams, cost of a Generac generator in Wisconsin and Illinois (June 2026); The Home Depot, cost to install a generator (checked September 2026).
Which size to buy
Size is the biggest choice you make. Ohms Electric says a 22kW Generac can power a 2,500 to 3,500 square foot home and run central air, a well pump and an electric range at the same time, and puts that size at $8,500 to $13,000 installed in its area. UDPOWER notes that if you only need to keep the fridge, Wi-Fi, lights and phones going, spending five figures on a standby unit may be more than you need.
See our whole house generator cost page for other brands, and our propane tank and electrical panel pages for the add ons that often come with a generator.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask for the generator, transfer switch, gas work, electrical work, pad and permit as separate lines.
- Ask what size generator you need and what it will run during an outage.
- Ask if a panel upgrade or load management is needed.
- Compare with $8,000 to $16,000, the installed range Generac gives.
Ways to pay less
- Buy only the size you need. A smaller unit that runs key circuits costs less than a whole home unit.
- Get quotes from two or three authorized dealers.
- Place the unit close to your gas meter and panel to keep runs short.
- Ask about financing offers. Generac says many units can be financed from about $109 a month.
How we got these numbers
The installed range and financing figure come from Generac's own pages. Unit prices come from Generac's catalog as reported in September 2026. Install costs come from installers and guides, as dated below. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does it cost to install a Generac generator?
Generac says $8,000 to $16,000 in total, including the generator, switch, materials and installation.
How much is a 22kW Generac installed?
Usually about $11,000 to $14,000 fully installed in 2026.
How much is the Generac generator by itself?
Catalog prices with a transfer switch run from about $4,619 for 10kW to $8,219 for 26kW.
Why is installation so expensive?
It includes the transfer switch, gas line, electrical work, a pad and permits, which can cost as much as the generator.