Another whole home generator question...

[Doug1]

I got a quote for a 17,500 watt Generac for $10,700 installed through Home Depot. Then I saw a 17,500 watt Honeywell "powered by Genrac" at Costco for $3750. both have the automated transfer switch, though the Genrac came with two overload modules that let me add my shed and 3rd HVAC but would cut out these if the power load was too much.

Are these of similar quality? I can't imagine the two modules and installation would triple the price so I could use some good advice.

 

[jimindm]

Maybe it has something to do with installation. Is the overload modules wired separately. I would also bet that when dealing with the main power, you will need a licensed electrician. Either by the municipality you live in, or the electrical company that supplies the power. Pretty save to say that the electricians know that to.

Looked into an irrigation water meter. Found out that they can only be bought by a licensed plumber in our area. After a permit is pulled at the city. The meter is $275. Every plumber I called was $800 to install the meter, with a shut off. Its their game, sometimes, you have to pay.

 

[rsanter]

Call generic and ask the difference

Bob

 

[Speedy Petey]

How can you compare a $10.7K INSTALLED price to a $3750 purchase price?

http://www.generac.com/News_And_Eve...tems_and_Honeywell_Reach_Licensing_Agreement/
Supposedly Honeywell i s just a re-badged Generac made for Costco.

You also have to be sure they are comparing the same transfer switch. For $3750 they are most likely including a transfer panel, not a whole house transfer switch.

Here is a Generac 17kW with a transfer panel for $3694 no tax and free shipping:
http://www.norwall.com/products/Gen...Pre-Packaged-with-100-Amp-16-circuit-ATS.html

Here is the same thing with a 200A transfer switch for $4213:
http://www.norwall.com/products/Gen...aged-with-200-Amp-Service-Rated-ATS-6243.html

Personally I would NOT bother with the Honeywell. Why bother with the same thing just a different name. There are far too many other cheaper and easier places to get it than bothering with Costco.

All that aside, NO WAY in hell I'd let Home Depot's contractors install the thing. Get a private LOCAL contractor that knows what they are doing.

And yes, $10,700 is VERY high for all buy the most involved installations.

 

[Doug1]

I am going to have to get the quote broken down so I can see what each part of the install costs. It wasn't very clear. Home Depot uses the primary Generac installer for SC and NC, according to the guy who came and gave me the quote.

 

[Teken]

You're going to see a cross over between the Honeywell / Generac. Both devices are the same just re badged. The Costco unit is a 100 ATS from Generac as well. I don't think you can go wrong buying the generator from Costco seeing as if there is any issue they will take it back.

All you need to do is hire an electrician and ensure its all up to code and permits are taken out.

Please let me know what you decide as I am curious to see why the price difference. I have decided to wait and purchase the Kohler generator due to more remote monitoring and iOS App support.

If I decide to go with the Generac I will be buying the water cooled unit that runs at 1800 rpms, instead of the air cooled unit. I rather pay more up front for something quieter, longer run time, and better fuel economy.

Teken . . .

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I also am curious on the price break down from home depot! Seems really HIGH to me! Im guessing HD is adding a percentage on top of the flat fixed rate they probably pay their sub contractors. And, they also probably give a high estimate because they dont know exactly everything that is needed for each install, such as wire, breakers, conduit, permits, PoCo fees, etc. BECAUSE they havent had someone check out your house and service panel!

Your best bet is to buy the generator yourself and get quotes from several local electricians who have done generator installs and go from there! Most of the contractors working for the big box stores are hacks and cut corners because theyve agreed to do the work for a flat rate/set price, SITE UNSEEN! Qualty could be compromised!

And dont forget, u may need trenching for electrical and plumbing, a plumber to do the plumbing, and someone to pour the concrete pad! Thats 3 contractors right there if u cant do any of the work yourself! Another thing to consider is whether your gas service(if natural gas) is large enough to support a generator. Not to mention that the gas lines in your house may not be big enough to support a generator, which then u would need to run a gas line back to your meter!

A LOT more goes into a generator install than just the electrical....

 

[Doug1]

I also am curious on the price break down from home depot! Seems really HIGH to me! Im guessing HD is adding a percentage on top of the flat fixed rate they probably pay their sub contractors. And, they also probably give a high estimate because they dont know exactly everything that is needed for each install, such as wire, breakers, conduit, permits, PoCo fees, etc. BECAUSE they havent had someone check out your house and service panel!

Your best bet is to buy the generator yourself and get quotes from several local electricians who have done generator installs and go from there! Most of the contractors working for the big box stores are hacks and cut corners because theyve agreed to do the work for a flat rate/set price, SITE UNSEEN! Qualty could be compromised!

And dont forget, u may need trenching for electrical and plumbing, a plumber to do the plumbing, and someone to pour the concrete pad! Thats 3 contractors right there if u cant do any of the work yourself! Another thing to consider is whether your gas service(if natural gas) is large enough to support a generator. Not to mention that the gas lines in your house may not be big enough to support a generator, which then u would need to run a gas line back to your meter!

A LOT more goes into a generator install than just the electrical....

A guy came out from their installation company, based in Raleigh NC. He drove the 5 hours down to Charleston, SC to do several quotes that day. He went through the electrical, gas, calculated the loads based on what my must haves and want to haves were and measured the distance from the gas meter to where the unit would have to be placed. Seemed pretty thorough to me.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I got a quote for a 17,500 watt Generac for $10,700 installed through Home Depot. Then I saw a 17,500 watt Honeywell "powered by Genrac" at Costco for $3750. both have the automated transfer switch, though the Genrac came with two overload modules that let me add my shed and 3rd HVAC but would cut out these if the power load was too much.

Are these of similar quality? I can't imagine the two modules and installation would triple the price so I could use some good advice.

How much is the install on the *costco* one going to run you, between the electrician and the plumber..

 

[Speedy Petey]

A guy came out from their installation company, based in Raleigh NC. He drove the 5 hours down to Charleston, SC to do several quotes that day. He went through the electrical, gas, calculated the loads based on what my must haves and want to haves were and measured the distance from the gas meter to where the unit would have to be placed. Seemed pretty thorough to me.

THAT'S why it was high.
Considering it concluded both electric and gas it's not astronomical, but to work 5 hours out of your local area is INSANE IMO and the higher cost supplements it.
I bet they schedule several jobs in several days and they stay local. NOT my idea of a fun job.

 

[Doug1]

THAT'S why it was high.
Considering it concluded both electric and gas it's not astronomical, but to work 5 hours out of your local area is INSANE IMO and the higher cost supplements it.
I bet they schedule several jobs in several days and they stay local. NOT my idea of a fun job.

I'm quite sure that is how they do it. I'll figure out how much to contract it out myself. I know a good electrician and plumber. I just paid $1700 to run a gas line to my pool heater behind my garage but that is a good 100 ft from the breaker panel. Not sure what sort of electrical wiring I'd have to have to run it 100ft back to the main breaker box but the gas problem would already be solved!

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I bought the Costco model, it was advertised as "Centurion" (used to be private label for Costco/Home Depot and maybe others), but when I went to the store, it was a Generac Guardian model with transfer switch. I only bought a 10k, I only need to run freezers/well pump. Mine is a necessity, not a luxury

I skipped the bid/Contractor thingy and set,plumbed,wired it myself. Ended up doing a second one for a buddy who lives a couple miles from me. He only knows how to drive a desk, tools and mechanical stuff aint his bag, fortunately for him, we go way back, and it didnt even cost him dinner for the install, but I let him help (he did most of the manual labor)

There is a lengthy thread on this forum somewhere, on the subject, with many weighing in. I will have a look to see if I can find it.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86084&showall=1

For what you where quoted, I could have installed 4- 10k units !

 

[Sammyboy]

Keep in mind part of the high cost of doing business through the Home Depot is their cut of the total. I have priced other projects and the prices are always high. Find a good local electrician and you'll be glad you did.