Backup generator checklists

Before you buy: list every circuit that must stay live. Add the running watts, add the single largest starting surge, and target a unit that will sit at no more than about 90 percent of capacity. Get quotes for both an essentials system and whole-home so you can see the price of the upgrade.

Before you hire: confirm the license, confirm the contractor pulls both the electrical and gas permits in their name, and get a written scope naming the exact model, the transfer switch, the pad, the covered circuits and who handles the utility meter question. Permits typically run $50–$200 each and should be itemized.

Before you run a portable: outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Working CO alarms with battery backup on every level. Heavy-duty cords. Engine cool before refueling. Never into a wall outlet.

On a schedule: oil roughly every 100 hours, air filter and spark plug at about a year or 100 hours, professional service every two years or 200 hours, weekly exercise cycle confirmed, battery load-tested.

How to choose

Do the load list before you talk to anyone

Walking into a sales conversation with a circuit list is the single best defense against being upsold two size classes.

Verify the license on the state board, not a photo

Search the license number yourself and check the name matches the company on your invoice.

Make the permit list part of the contract

Electrical permit, gas permit, inspections scheduled, all in the contractor's name. Two permits at $50–$200 each is the norm.

Buy the CO alarms in the same order as the generator

Ready.gov recommends detectors with battery backup on every level of the home. Don't let this be a follow-up purchase.

Log every service visit

Hour meter reading, date, work done. It's what makes a warranty claim straightforward instead of a fight.