How much does a whole home generator cost in North Texas?

What Goes Into the Cost of a Generator Installation?

A whole-home generator installation from Guardian Home Generators includes the planning, permitting, equipment, materials, skilled labor and homeowner education needed to bring everything together. The generator and automatic transfer switch cost approximately $6,800–$9,200 depending on size, accounting for roughly half of the total project cost. The remaining half covers installation labor and materials, with the balance depending on your equipment and home’s layout. Below is a breakdown of what goes into the installation.

Here is what the installation process involves:

1. Assessing your home and sizing the system. We evaluate your electrical needs, select the generator location, plan utility connections, and determine whether your gas meter needs an upgrade.
2. Preparing plans. Site plans, electrical wiring diagrams, and gas piping diagrams document the proposed installation.
3. Obtaining permits.  Our services are turnkey.  We handle all of the required permit applications for electric and gas, and the respective inspections.
4. Preparing the generator location. We prepare the site, set the concrete pad, and position and secure the generator. Larger equipment may require specialized machinery for placement.
5.  Highest quality materials.  While aluminum wire is code-compliant and safer than it was in the 1970s, it still does not meet our high standards.  We only use copper for your generator installation.
6. Completing the electrical installation. Two electricians spend nearly a full day installing the transfer switch equipment, routing conduit and wiring, and connecting the system to your home’s electrical service. Utility coordination may also be required for disconnecting and restoring power.
7. Installing the gas supply. Gas plumbing often takes a half day to a full day. This includes routing and sizing the piping, making connections, and testing for leaks.
8. Inspecting, starting, and testing the system. Complete startup checks and test the generator and automatic transfer operation to verify that the system responds to a simulated outage.
9. Showing you how it works. We explain the controls, exercise schedule, monitoring features, and maintenance needs so you know what to expect when the power goes out.

Bottom Line Up Front

A whole-home generator is an investment in keeping your home comfortable when the power goes out. But what should you budget? For the air-cooled systems we install in DFW, $13,500–$16,500 is a useful starting range.  Homes over 5,000 sq/ft or those with four or more HVAC systems require larger liquid-cooled systems, with installations averaging around $36,000–$42,000.

Your final price depends on the generator’s capacity, your home’s layout, and the work needed to connect it. These ranges help you plan, but a home assessment provides a clearer picture.

Air-Cooled Generators: Starting Around $13,500

The generator + Automatic Transfer Switch price range is $6,800 - $9,200.  But there's a lot mo  An installed 18 kW generator starts around $13,500 and may be a good fit for a 1,500–2,000-square-foot home. Square footage alone does not determine generator size. Your air conditioning, electric appliances, and the equipment you want to power also matter.

One factor that affects installation cost is the location of your utilities. A natural-gas standby generator needs connections to your home’s gas supply and electrical service. When the gas and electric meters are on the same side of the house, shorter connection routes help keep costs down.

When the meters are on opposite sides, the additional piping, wiring, and labor can add approximately $1,000–$2,500, sometimes more depending on the home’s size and the route required.

For our DFW installations, the average air-cooled project falls around $13,500–$16,500. More complex projects can exceed $20,000, although that is uncommon in our experience.