{
  "schemaVersion": "1.0",
  "title": "Generator Budget installed whole-house generator cost benchmarks",
  "description": "Itemized low, typical, and high planning ranges for six residential standby-generator sizes using a single documented U.S. scenario.",
  "creator": {
    "type": "Organization",
    "name": "Generator Budget",
    "url": "https://generatorbudget.com"
  },
  "publisher": "Generator Budget",
  "license": "https://generatorbudget.com/terms#dataset-license-2026-08-05",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://generatorbudget.com",
  "methodologyUrl": "https://generatorbudget.com/#source-ledger",
  "modelVersion": "2026.08",
  "reviewedOn": "2026-08-05",
  "currency": "USD",
  "market": "United States",
  "citation": "Generator Budget. Whole House Generator Cost Calculator, model 2026.08, reviewed 2026-08-05. https://generatorbudget.com/",
  "disclaimer": "Planning estimates only. They are not contractor quotes, electrical designs, fuel-system designs, or code-compliance decisions.",
  "scenario": {
    "homeSizeSquareFeet": 2200,
    "coverage": "Most of the home",
    "fuel": "Natural gas",
    "fuelRunFeet": 30,
    "transferSwitch": "Automatic",
    "panelWorkIncluded": false,
    "siteCondition": "New standard pad",
    "stateCode": "US",
    "stateName": "U.S. average",
    "explanation": "Each size uses the same U.S. average scenario so the capacity effect remains comparable. Equipment is not multiplied by the location factor; labor-sensitive lines are."
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "generac-installation",
      "organization": "Generac",
      "title": "Backup Generator Installation",
      "url": "https://www.generac.com/resources/home-management/backup-generator-installation/",
      "accessedOn": "2026-08-05",
      "supports": "Broad installed-cost calibration and the inclusion of site, fuel, permitting, and location variables."
    },
    {
      "id": "home-depot-equipment",
      "organization": "The Home Depot",
      "title": "House Generators with Automatic Transfer Switch",
      "url": "https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Generators-House-Generators/Generac/Automatic-Transfer-Switch/N-5yc1vZbx9sZ4phZ1z1bndo",
      "accessedOn": "2026-08-05",
      "supports": "Retail equipment reference points for common residential generator sizes and transfer-switch bundles."
    },
    {
      "id": "home-depot-transfer",
      "organization": "The Home Depot",
      "title": "Best Transfer Switches for Your Generator",
      "url": "https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/best-transfer-switches-for-your-generator/9ba683603be9fa5395fab902f44072d",
      "accessedOn": "2026-08-05",
      "supports": "Manual-versus-automatic transfer-switch scope and installation context."
    },
    {
      "id": "bea-regional-price-parities",
      "organization": "U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis",
      "title": "Regional Price Parities by State and Metro Area",
      "url": "https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area",
      "accessedOn": "2026-08-05",
      "supports": "Independent context that overall price levels differ across states and metropolitan areas."
    },
    {
      "id": "bls-state-wages",
      "organization": "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics",
      "title": "State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates",
      "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm",
      "accessedOn": "2026-08-05",
      "supports": "Independent context that occupational wages are published at the state level and vary by location."
    }
  ],
  "benchmarks": [
    {
      "generatorKw": 10,
      "planningUse": "Critical circuits",
      "installedCost": {
        "low": 7660,
        "typical": 12160,
        "high": 16300
      },
      "lineItems": [
        {
          "id": "equipment",
          "label": "10 kW standby generator",
          "note": "Equipment allowance based on indicative size",
          "low": 2900,
          "typical": 3850,
          "high": 4800
        },
        {
          "id": "transfer",
          "label": "Automatic transfer switch",
          "note": "Whole-panel transfer switch with outage sensing",
          "low": 1200,
          "typical": 2200,
          "high": 3200
        },
        {
          "id": "electrical",
          "label": "Electrical installation",
          "note": "Feeder, panel integration, grounding, labor, and commissioning",
          "low": 2000,
          "typical": 3150,
          "high": 3800
        },
        {
          "id": "fuel",
          "label": "Natural gas connection",
          "note": "30 ft planning run · Existing utility gas service",
          "low": 760,
          "typical": 1460,
          "high": 2000
        },
        {
          "id": "site",
          "label": "Site preparation",
          "note": "Level access with a composite or simple concrete pad",
          "low": 550,
          "typical": 950,
          "high": 1600
        },
        {
          "id": "permits",
          "label": "Permits and inspection",
          "note": "Electrical, fuel, zoning, and inspection allowance",
          "low": 250,
          "typical": 550,
          "high": 900
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "generatorKw": 14,
      "planningUse": "Essentials + selected loads",
      "installedCost": {
        "low": 8400,
        "typical": 13200,
        "high": 17540
      },
      "lineItems": [
        {
          "id": "equipment",
          "label": "14 kW standby generator",
          "note": "Equipment allowance based on indicative size",
          "low": 3520,
          "typical": 4670,
          "high": 5800
        },
        {
          "id": "transfer",
          "label": "Automatic transfer switch",
          "note": "Whole-panel transfer switch with outage sensing",
          "low": 1200,
          "typical": 2200,
          "high": 3200
        },
        {
          "id": "electrical",
          "label": "Electrical installation",
          "note": "Feeder, panel integration, grounding, labor, and commissioning",
          "low": 2120,
          "typical": 3370,
          "high": 4040
        },
        {
          "id": "fuel",
          "label": "Natural gas connection",
          "note": "30 ft planning run · Existing utility gas service",
          "low": 760,
          "typical": 1460,
          "high": 2000
        },
        {
          "id": "site",
          "label": "Site preparation",
          "note": "Level access with a composite or simple concrete pad",
          "low": 550,
          "typical": 950,
          "high": 1600
        },
        {
          "id": "permits",
          "label": "Permits and inspection",
          "note": "Electrical, fuel, zoning, and inspection allowance",
          "low": 250,
          "typical": 550,
          "high": 900
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "generatorKw": 18,
      "planningUse": "Managed home coverage",
      "installedCost": {
        "low": 9140,
        "typical": 14240,
        "high": 18780
      },
      "lineItems": [
        {
          "id": "equipment",
          "label": "18 kW standby generator",
          "note": "Equipment allowance based on indicative size",
          "low": 4140,
          "typical": 5490,
          "high": 6800
        },
        {
          "id": "transfer",
          "label": "Automatic transfer switch",
          "note": "Whole-panel transfer switch with outage sensing",
          "low": 1200,
          "typical": 2200,
          "high": 3200
        },
        {
          "id": "electrical",
          "label": "Electrical installation",
          "note": "Feeder, panel integration, grounding, labor, and commissioning",
          "low": 2240,
          "typical": 3590,
          "high": 4280
        },
        {
          "id": "fuel",
          "label": "Natural gas connection",
          "note": "30 ft planning run · Existing utility gas service",
          "low": 760,
          "typical": 1460,
          "high": 2000
        },
        {
          "id": "site",
          "label": "Site preparation",
          "note": "Level access with a composite or simple concrete pad",
          "low": 550,
          "typical": 950,
          "high": 1600
        },
        {
          "id": "permits",
          "label": "Permits and inspection",
          "note": "Electrical, fuel, zoning, and inspection allowance",
          "low": 250,
          "typical": 550,
          "high": 900
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "generatorKw": 22,
      "planningUse": "Common whole-home planning band",
      "installedCost": {
        "low": 9880,
        "typical": 15280,
        "high": 20020
      },
      "lineItems": [
        {
          "id": "equipment",
          "label": "22 kW standby generator",
          "note": "Equipment allowance based on indicative size",
          "low": 4760,
          "typical": 6310,
          "high": 7800
        },
        {
          "id": "transfer",
          "label": "Automatic transfer switch",
          "note": "Whole-panel transfer switch with outage sensing",
          "low": 1200,
          "typical": 2200,
          "high": 3200
        },
        {
          "id": "electrical",
          "label": "Electrical installation",
          "note": "Feeder, panel integration, grounding, labor, and commissioning",
          "low": 2360,
          "typical": 3810,
          "high": 4520
        },
        {
          "id": "fuel",
          "label": "Natural gas connection",
          "note": "30 ft planning run · Existing utility gas service",
          "low": 760,
          "typical": 1460,
          "high": 2000
        },
        {
          "id": "site",
          "label": "Site preparation",
          "note": "Level access with a composite or simple concrete pad",
          "low": 550,
          "typical": 950,
          "high": 1600
        },
        {
          "id": "permits",
          "label": "Permits and inspection",
          "note": "Electrical, fuel, zoning, and inspection allowance",
          "low": 250,
          "typical": 550,
          "high": 900
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "generatorKw": 26,
      "planningUse": "Larger loads or added headroom",
      "installedCost": {
        "low": 10620,
        "typical": 16320,
        "high": 21260
      },
      "lineItems": [
        {
          "id": "equipment",
          "label": "26 kW standby generator",
          "note": "Equipment allowance based on indicative size",
          "low": 5380,
          "typical": 7130,
          "high": 8800
        },
        {
          "id": "transfer",
          "label": "Automatic transfer switch",
          "note": "Whole-panel transfer switch with outage sensing",
          "low": 1200,
          "typical": 2200,
          "high": 3200
        },
        {
          "id": "electrical",
          "label": "Electrical installation",
          "note": "Feeder, panel integration, grounding, labor, and commissioning",
          "low": 2480,
          "typical": 4030,
          "high": 4760
        },
        {
          "id": "fuel",
          "label": "Natural gas connection",
          "note": "30 ft planning run · Existing utility gas service",
          "low": 760,
          "typical": 1460,
          "high": 2000
        },
        {
          "id": "site",
          "label": "Site preparation",
          "note": "Level access with a composite or simple concrete pad",
          "low": 550,
          "typical": 950,
          "high": 1600
        },
        {
          "id": "permits",
          "label": "Permits and inspection",
          "note": "Electrical, fuel, zoning, and inspection allowance",
          "low": 250,
          "typical": 550,
          "high": 900
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "generatorKw": 38,
      "planningUse": "Large-home / liquid-cooled band",
      "installedCost": {
        "low": 12840,
        "typical": 19440,
        "high": 24980
      },
      "lineItems": [
        {
          "id": "equipment",
          "label": "38 kW standby generator",
          "note": "Equipment allowance based on indicative size",
          "low": 7240,
          "typical": 9590,
          "high": 11800
        },
        {
          "id": "transfer",
          "label": "Automatic transfer switch",
          "note": "Whole-panel transfer switch with outage sensing",
          "low": 1200,
          "typical": 2200,
          "high": 3200
        },
        {
          "id": "electrical",
          "label": "Electrical installation",
          "note": "Feeder, panel integration, grounding, labor, and commissioning",
          "low": 2840,
          "typical": 4690,
          "high": 5480
        },
        {
          "id": "fuel",
          "label": "Natural gas connection",
          "note": "30 ft planning run · Existing utility gas service",
          "low": 760,
          "typical": 1460,
          "high": 2000
        },
        {
          "id": "site",
          "label": "Site preparation",
          "note": "Level access with a composite or simple concrete pad",
          "low": 550,
          "typical": 950,
          "high": 1600
        },
        {
          "id": "permits",
          "label": "Permits and inspection",
          "note": "Electrical, fuel, zoning, and inspection allowance",
          "low": 250,
          "typical": 550,
          "high": 900
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}