A professionally installed standby generator for a Worcester County home typically runs somewhere between about $8,000 for a smaller unit covering essential circuits and $19,000 for a full whole-home system, with most complete installs landing in the low-to-mid teens. The final number depends on the size of the generator, your fuel source, the electrical work involved, and whether a gas line needs to be run. These are market ranges for the complete job across all trades, not Bergeron Contracting pricing. We do not supply or install generator units. We handle the electrical work that connects one to your home.
- A whole-house standby generator runs about $8,000 to $19,000 installed. That is a market range across all trades, not our pricing.
- Bergeron Contracting does not install generator units. We do the electrical side: transfer switch, inlet box, panel work, permit and inspection. Our generator hookup runs $1,150 to $1,650.
- The right size comes from a load calculation, not a guess.
- Standby units start automatically; portables need manual setup and fuel.
- The install ties into your panel through an automatic transfer switch.
- Every generator connection is permitted and inspected.
If New England storms and outages have you thinking about backup power, here is how to decide what you need and what it should cost.
What does a whole-house generator cost, installed?
The generator unit is only part of the price. A complete installation also includes the transfer switch, the electrical connection to your panel, the pad or mount, the permit and inspection, and often a gas line. Here is a rough picture of market pricing across all trades.
| Setup | Rough installed cost |
|---|---|
| Smaller unit, essential circuits (around 10 kW) | $8,000 to $12,000 |
| Whole-home system (18 to 24 kW) | $13,000 to $19,000 |
| New gas line run (if needed) | Add $3,500 to $5,500 |
What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to keep running. A smaller standby unit can cover the essentials, heat, refrigerator, well pump, some lights and outlets, so your home stays livable through an outage. A larger whole-home unit runs nearly everything, including central air and electric appliances, as if the power never went out.
The right size comes from a load calculation, not a guess. We look at what you want backed up and size the generator and transfer switch to match. Oversizing wastes money and undersizing leaves you cold, so this step is worth doing properly.
Standby generator or portable, which is right for me?
They solve different problems. A portable generator setup runs about $1,150 to $1,650, which is cheaper up front, but you have to set it up, fuel it, and never run it indoors or in a garage. A standby generator is permanently installed, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts automatically the moment the power drops, even when you are not home.
For homeowners who lose power regularly or who have a well, a sump pump, or medical equipment, a standby unit is usually the better long-term answer. For occasional, brief outages, a portable may be enough.
What electrical work does a generator installation involve?
More than people expect, which is why it is electrician’s work. A standby generator ties into your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch, which safely disconnects your home from the grid and switches to generator power during an outage. That protects utility crews and your equipment. Depending on your panel’s age and capacity, the install may also call for a panel upgrade, which you can read about on our panel upgrade page.
Every generator install is permitted and inspected. The gas connection and the electrical connection both have to be done to code.
Is a whole-house generator worth it in Massachusetts?
For many Worcester County homes, yes. New England winters bring ice storms and outages, and a home with a well or a sump pump can face real damage when the power is out for a day or more. A standby generator protects against frozen pipes, a flooded basement, spoiled food, and the disruption of losing heat. Whether the investment makes sense comes down to how often you lose power and what an outage costs you.
Get sized right, priced honestly
The team at Bergeron Contracting will look at your home, calculate the load, and recommend a generator that fits, no upselling you into more than you need. Our electrician cost guide lays out typical prices. Call (508)-735-7245 or request a free estimate.
Bergeron Contracting, Bergeron Electrical Contracting Inc. MA Master Electrician License #21807-A. Serving Worcester and Worcester County since 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a whole-house generator cost in Massachusetts?
Roughly $8,000 to $19,000 installed, depending on size, fuel, and electrical work, with a new gas line adding $3,500 to $5,500 if needed. Those are market ranges for the complete job across all trades. Bergeron Contracting does not supply or install the unit. We handle the electrical portion, which runs $1,150 to $1,650 for a generator hookup.
What fuel do standby generators use?
Most run on natural gas or propane. Natural gas is convenient if you already have a gas line; propane works well where you do not.
How long does installation take?
A typical standby generator install takes one to a few days, including the electrical connection, the transfer switch, and the gas hookup, plus the inspection.
Do I need a permit for a generator?
Yes. Generator installations require permits and inspection for both the electrical and gas work. We handle the electrical permitting and coordinate the rest.
