Generator Hookup for a House: Cost & Options
A code-compliant generator hookup for a house typically costs $700 – $1,800 all-in, combining an interlock kit or manual transfer switch ($400 – $1,300 installed) with an inlet box ($150 – $400 installed) and a generator cord. This is how you connect a portable generator safely instead of running extension cords through a window.
Talk through this project
Describe the job, get matched with a local licensed pro on the line.
(855) 000-0000New installs, replacements & repairs · No obligation
| Hookup method | Installed range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interlock kit + inlet box | $550 – $1,300 | Powers any breaker in the panel, one circuit at a time managed by you |
| Manual transfer switch (6 – 10 circuit) | $700 – $1,800 | Dedicated subpanel for selected circuits |
| Inlet box only (switch already present) | $150 – $400 | Exterior power inlet and short conduit run |
| Generator cord (10 – 25 ft) | $60 – $200 | L14-30 or similar, matched to the inlet |
| Line item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inlet box (the part) | $40 – $120 | NEMA L14-30P or L14-20P weatherproof inlet |
| Conduit, wire, fittings | $30 – $100 | Short run from inlet to panel or switch |
| Electrician labor | $150 – $350 | 1 – 2 hours for a straightforward exterior wall |
Want a real number instead of a range?
Calls are answered around the clock and routed to a licensed electrical pro serving your area.
Call & describe the job
Tell us what you need: a new install, an upgrade, or something that stopped working.
Get matched on the line
You are connected with a local licensed electrical pro who serves your area.
Compare your numbers
Use the ranges on this page to sanity-check the quote before you commit.
The three legal ways to hook up a portable generator
There are three code-compliant ways to connect a portable generator to your house wiring: a breaker interlock kit, a manual transfer switch, or (the unsafe non-option) nothing. Running a cord from the generator into a wall outlet, called backfeeding, is illegal and lethal. It energizes the lines outside your house and can electrocute a utility worker, and it bypasses every safety device in your panel.
An interlock kit ($400 – $900 installed) is a metal plate that mounts on your panel and physically prevents the main breaker and the generator backfeed breaker from being on at the same time. It lets you power any circuit in your existing panel, which is flexible and inexpensive. A manual transfer switch ($400 – $1,300 installed) is a separate subpanel that pre-selects specific circuits (furnace, fridge, a few outlets) and is simpler to operate during an outage. The transfer switch wiring guide shows why this is not a DIY tie-in.
What the inlet box does and what it costs
The inlet box is the weatherproof exterior receptacle where you plug in the generator cord. Instead of feeding power through a flimsy outlet, the inlet box brings the generator power into the house through proper wire, conduit, and a dedicated breaker. Inlet box installation runs $150 – $400: roughly $40 – $120 for the box itself and the rest for a short conduit run and one to two hours of electrician labor.
The inlet box is mounted on an exterior wall near the generator's outdoor location, wired back to either the interlock breaker or the transfer switch. Matching the inlet to your cord matters: a common pairing is an L14-30 inlet rated for 30 amps, which suits most portable generators in the 5,000 – 7,500 watt range. Our 50 amp generator cord guide covers the larger plugs for higher-output units.
Hookup season and why prices firm up in the fall
Demand for generator hookups spikes every September as hurricane season peaks and homeowners scramble after the first regional outage. During those windows, electricians are booked solid and lead times stretch, so the practical move is to schedule the hookup in spring or early summer when the trade is quieter.
The all-in cost does not change much by season, but availability does. A hookup that takes a week to schedule in May can take a month in late September. If you already own a portable generator, getting the inlet box and interlock installed before storm season means you are ready to plug in within minutes of an outage instead of waiting on a backlogged electrician.
Portable hookup vs an automatic standby system
A portable hookup is the budget path: $700 – $1,800 all-in, and you still have to wheel the generator out, fuel it, plug in the cord, and flip breakers manually when the power drops. It is hands-on and runs on gasoline you have to store and refill, but it costs a fraction of a permanent system.
An automatic standby generator starts itself within seconds of an outage and runs on natural gas or propane, but the installed total runs $9,000 – $16,000 for a typical air-cooled unit. The portable hookup makes sense for occasional, short outages where you are home to manage it. Standby makes sense for frequent or long outages, medical needs, or when nobody is home to start a portable.
Ready to get it handled?
One call, no obligation. Describe the job and compare the quote against the ranges above.