Generator Repair Near Me: $150 to $300 Service Call and Up

How much does generator repair cost

Parts and labor as each publisher reports them. A service call minimum applies before parts.

The service call is the floor: HomeGuide says $150 to $300 or more. A carburetor repair runs $100 to $500 and a transfer switch repair $50 to $400. The expensive one is the stator or rotor, which HomeGuide puts at up to $2,500 and Angi at up to $1,500. Ask for the diagnosis and the repair as two separate prices, and ask whether the visit fee counts toward the repair.

Do this now: generator not running, gas smell or a portable in use

1. Smell gas near the generator: leave the area and call the gas utility from outside.
2. Running a portable: keep it outside, at least 20 feet from the house; the CPSC counts about 100 deaths a year from portable generator carbon monoxide. A garage is not outside.
3. Standby will not start: read the alarm on the controller. For an overcrank alarm, Generac's first checks are the fuel valve and, on propane, the tank level.
4. Long outage: Generac's guide says after 24 or more hours of running, shut it down for 30 minutes and check the oil.
5. Then call with the brand, model, serial number and the alarm name.

Is it an emergency? When generator repair cannot wait

Generator repair is urgent when the power is out and the standby will not start or will not carry the house, or when you smell gas or see a fuel leak. Expect at least the $150 to $300 service call minimum HomeGuide reports.

A unit that fails its weekly exercise while the grid is up, shows a maintenance reminder, or needs a battery can usually be booked for a weekday. Most batteries last 3 to 5 years, Generac says, so a weak one is a routine fix.

Why a standby generator fails: the common causes

• The starting battery. Generac says most generator batteries last 3 to 5 years. Hard starting is the first sign; corrosion and a swollen case mean it has failed.
• Sitting unused. HomeGuide says infrequent use leads to battery failure, dried-out seals and corrosion.
• Fuel. An overcrank alarm means the engine cranked but would not start. Generac's first checks are the fuel valve and, on propane, the tank level.
• Low oil pressure. Another alarm on Generac's list. Check the oil level, and call if the alarm comes back.
• Generator end parts. The stator, rotor and voltage regulator, which are the costly repairs in the table above.
• The transfer switch. The generator runs but the house stays dark. Repair is $50 to $400 and replacement $400 to $2,500 (HomeGuide).

What to check before you call for generator repair

Generac's outage troubleshooting guide lists the common alarms. Read the alarm on the controller and check these first. Stop and call if anything looks burned, smells of gas, or is leaking.

1. Overcrank: confirm the fuel valve is open and the propane tank is not low.
2. Low battery: the controller needs 12 volts DC. Generac says to allow 24 hours of charging before you judge it.
3. RPM sense or no crank: have the battery checked.
4. Main line breaker off: the generator's own breaker is open, so no power reaches the house.
5. Long outage: Generac's guide says after 24 or more hours of running, shut it down for 30 minutes and check the oil.
6. Write it down: brand, model, serial number, the alarm name and the install date. The company will ask for them.

If the generator runs and the house has power but some circuits are dead or a breaker trips, the problem may be in the house wiring; see breaker keeps tripping or emergency electrician.

Generator maintenance near me: schedule and cost

Generac's maintenance schedule for air-cooled home standby generators. Follow your own model's manual.

Angi puts a scheduled service visit at $171 to $396, with a national average of $274, and annual maintenance at $150 to $300. HomeGuide's annual range is $200 to $650 and says to run the generator 20 to 30 minutes a month or as the manufacturer directs. Generac shortens its schedule to once a year or every 100 hours where temperatures run below 40°F or above 85°F. Ask the company which schedule fits your climate.

A maintenance visit is also the time to have the battery checked, since most last only 3 to 5 years, before an outage finds it weak.

Check the warranty before you pay for a repair

Generac backs its 22 kW home generator with a 5-year limited warranty. Kohler's standard warranty is 5 years or 2,000 hours and covers parts, labor and travel; Kohler sells 7-year and 10-year extensions only within the original 5 years. Angi says standard warranties run 2 to 5 years. If the unit is still inside its warranty, call the dealer that installed it or the manufacturer before you pay anyone for a repair.

Repair or replace: how long a generator lasts

Angi says replacement is often needed at 10 to 20 years; HomeGuide says 15 to 30 years with proper maintenance. A battery, carburetor or regulator on a well-kept unit is worth fixing. A stator or engine repair in the thousands on a unit near the end of that range is the point to price a new one. The whole house generator cost guide has unit prices by size, and the generator installation guide covers what a replacement install involves.

Portable generator safety: carbon monoxide

CPSC says an average of about 100 people die in the US each year from carbon monoxide from portable generators. Its rule: run a portable generator outside only, at least 20 feet from the house. A garage is not outside, even with the door open. If anyone feels dizzy, sick or weak while a generator is running, get everyone into fresh air and call 911.

To power the house from a portable safely, have an electrician install a transfer switch or an interlock; the installation guide has the prices. For other electrical problems, start at electrical repair.