A whole-house generator costs $3,000–$15,000 installed, with 10–20 kW home standby models costing $3,500–$8,000. Larger 20–30 kW units run $8,000–$15,000 and often require concrete pads and larger fuel tanks. Installation labor, permits, and fuel line runs add $1,000–$4,000.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Generator plus installation | $3,000 - $15,000 |
| 10–20 kW unit only | $2,500 - $6,000 |
| Transfer switch + labor | $1,000 - $4,000 |
| Annual maintenance | $150 - $300 |
Generator Size and Fuel Type
Natural gas models cost $2,500–$7,000 for the unit alone; propane models add $500–$1,500 for a storage tank. Diesel units are $4,000–$10,000 but have higher fuel costs.
Install and Transfer Switch
Automatic transfer switch installation runs $500–$1,500. Concrete pad, electrical panel upgrades, and gas line work total $1,500–$4,000 extra.
Maintenance and Long-Term Costs
Annual maintenance runs $150–$300, including oil and filter changes. Expect a 20-year lifespan with proper care, costing roughly $75–$150 per year in parts.
What moves the price in Long Beach, California
Generator size, fuel type, and transfer switch installation matter. Local quotes reflect the items below, so two providers can quote different totals for the same described job without either being wrong.
- Local labour rates and licensing requirements for the trade or professional involved
- Permits, inspections and disposal fees set by the local authority
- Travel and call-out charges for the distance from the nearest provider
- Season and demand peaks, which move both the price and the wait
- Materials, parts or inputs, and how their grade or availability changes the total
- Whether the work is a repair, a partial job or a full replacement
How to compare whole house generators quotes in Long Beach, California
Write the scope down first, then send the same description to at least three local providers. Compare the quotes line by line against that scope rather than by the headline total.
- Agree the scope: exactly what is being repaired, replaced or supplied, and how far the work extends.
- List the inclusions: labour, materials, permits, inspection fees, disposal and clean-up, each stated separately.
- Ask what is excluded, and what would trigger an extra charge once the work starts.
- Check timing: how soon work can start, how long it takes, and whether out-of-hours rates apply.
- Confirm terms: deposit, payment schedule, warranty on parts and labour, and how changes are priced.
A lower total that leaves out permits, disposal or a necessary second stage is not cheaper once those items are added back. Ask each provider in writing what would change the price.
This page does not quote work and is not a contractor. The range above is an estimate, not an offer.
Common questions
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