Generator services we can connect you with
Standby generator installation
Whole-home generators that start on their own when the power goes out.
Generator repair
Generator will not start, will not transfer or shows a fault code.
Generator maintenance
Yearly service so your generator is ready before storm season.
Automatic transfer switches
The switch that moves your house to generator power safely.
Portable generator hookups
Inlet box and interlock so a portable generator can feed your panel safely.
Generac home standby generators
A plain guide to Generac sizing, models and what to ask an installer.
Generator fuel options
Natural gas versus propane for a home standby generator.
A whole-home standby generator sits outside on a pad, runs on natural gas or propane, and switches on by itself a few seconds after the grid drops. For many families in Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Chappaqua and the hill towns around them, that is the difference between a long outage being an annoyance and a long outage meaning a cold house, a flooded basement and a fridge full of spoiled food.
Northern Westchester has a lot of tall trees, winding roads and overhead power lines. When a big storm comes through, limbs come down on wires and crews have a long list of streets to clear. When Tropical Storm Isaias hit in August 2020, local news reports put peak Westchester outages at roughly 77,000 Con Edison customers and about 25,000 NYSEG customers, and Con Edison said it was the second largest outage in its history after Superstorm Sandy. Some homes waited about a week for power.
Tell us about the job and a local generator contractor will reach out. We pass your request to an independent local contractor who works on home generators. That contractor visits, looks at your electrical panel and gas service, and gives you a written quote. You decide whether to hire them. Sending a request is free and there is no obligation to hire.
This site also explains the parts of the job most homeowners ask about first: what size you need, natural gas versus propane, what a transfer switch does, roughly what it costs, and why permits and placement matter. Read what is useful, then request a free estimate when you are ready.
Why request a generator contractor here
Describe the job once and it goes to a local contractor who handles home generators, so you are not cold calling a long list of companies.
Your request goes to an independent contractor who works in this part of Westchester and knows how local permits and inspections usually run.
Sending a request is free. You get a quote, ask your questions, and decide on your own time.
The cost ranges and guides on this site are drawn from published sources and labeled as typical ranges, so you have a sense of the numbers before anyone visits.
We encourage every homeowner to check a contractor's Westchester County license and insurance before signing anything.
How it works
- Tell us about the jobUse the short form to tell us your town, the service you need and anything you already know about your house, such as gas service or panel size.
- We pass it to a local contractorYour request goes to an independent contractor who works on home generators in your area.
- Get a site visit and a quoteThe contractor looks at your panel, fuel supply and placement options, then gives you a written price.
- You decideCompare, ask questions and check their license and insurance. Hire them only if it feels right.
What size generator does a house need?
Size is measured in kilowatts (kW). A generator that powers only a few essential circuits, such as the furnace, well pump, fridge and some lights, can be fairly small. A unit meant to run the whole house, including central air, an electric range and other large loads, needs to be bigger. A good installer works out the size from your actual appliances and panel, not a guess based on square footage alone. Ask for that load calculation in writing.
Natural gas or propane?
If your street has a gas main and your meter can supply enough gas, natural gas is usually the simplest fuel because it never needs a delivery. Many homes in the more rural parts of northern Westchester have no gas main, and those homes typically use a propane tank instead. Your contractor and the gas utility confirm what your service can support. See our fuel options guide for the tradeoffs.
Permits, placement and noise
Generator work involves electrical and gas connections, so most villages and towns require a permit and an inspection. Your contractor should pull the permit. Placement is also regulated: manufacturers set minimum distances from windows, doors and vents because of exhaust, and many municipalities have setback and noise rules. A careful installer checks the local code before picking the spot.
Standby generator or portable hookup?
If you already own a portable generator, an electrician can add an outdoor inlet box and a panel interlock so you can run a few key circuits safely. That costs far less than a standby system, but someone has to be home to set it up, it needs refueling, and it can only run part of the house. A standby generator costs more and runs on its own, even when you are away. Many families start with a portable hookup and move to a standby unit later. See portable generator hookups for how the safe setup works.
Whichever route you choose, a few habits help: keep carbon monoxide alarms working on every floor, keep the area around any generator clear of snow and leaves, and have the unit serviced before storm season so it is ready when the lines come down.
What generator installation typically costs
These are published national ranges, not quotes. Westchester prices often land toward the higher end because of labor costs, permit requirements and site work.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Whole-house standby generator, installed (standard size) | $6,000 to $11,000 |
| Larger units (above 20 kW) or long gas or wire runs, installed | $9,500 to $24,000 |
| Automatic transfer switch, installed | $600 to $2,500 |
| Generator interlock kit for a portable generator, installed | $400 to $850 |
| Generator repair visit | About $170 to $400 |
| Yearly maintenance for a standby generator | About $150 to $300 |
Ranges are national averages from the sources below, not quotes. Your price depends on generator size, fuel type, the distance from the generator to your panel and gas meter, any panel or gas meter upgrades, and local permit fees.
Sources: HomeGuide, whole house generator cost; Angi, transfer switch installation cost; HomeGuide, transfer switch and interlock cost; Angi, generator repair cost; Angi, cost to run a standby generator
Towns we take generator requests from
We pass along requests from Briarcliff Manor and towns within about 15 miles, from the Hudson River villages to the Bedford and Yorktown area.
Questions homeowners ask
How much does a whole-house generator cost in Briarcliff Manor?
HomeGuide puts a standard whole-house standby generator at about $6,000 to $11,000 installed, and larger units or long runs at about $9,500 to $24,000. Westchester jobs often fall toward the higher end. A written quote after a site visit is the only way to know your number.
Does Briarcliff Generators install generators?
No. We pass your request to an independent local contractor who does the work, and you deal with them directly on price, scheduling and the job itself.
Do I need a permit for a standby generator?
In most Westchester villages and towns, yes. The work involves electrical and often gas connections, so a permit and inspection are usually required. Your contractor should pull the permit and arrange the inspection.
What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run during an outage. Powering a few essential circuits takes a smaller unit than running the whole house with central air. Ask your installer for a written load calculation based on your panel and appliances.
Should I choose natural gas or propane?
If you have a gas main and enough gas supply at the meter, natural gas is usually simplest because it never runs out in a normal outage. Homes without gas service typically use propane from a tank. Your contractor and utility confirm what your house can support.
How long does generator installation take?
The physical install is often done in a day or two once permits and equipment are in hand. The full process, including the site visit, permit approval, gas work and inspection, usually takes longer. Ask your contractor for a realistic timeline when you get the quote.
What should I do if I smell gas near my generator?
Leave the house right away and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not switch anything on or off. Once the utility says it is safe, call a qualified contractor to inspect the generator and gas line.