Step 1: Assessment and load calculation (free)
We visit your home, inventory your major electrical loads, look at your panel, check your fuel situation (gas line size or propane tank location), and walk the yard for generator placement. You get a recommended size and a written quote covering everything: the generator, transfer switch, concrete pad, wiring, fuel hookup, and permits.
Step 2: Permits
Standby installations in Charles County need electrical and mechanical permits, plus gas permits for the fuel work. We handle the paperwork. Permit turnaround varies — this is usually the longest wait in the process, and there's nothing you need to do during it.
Step 3: Site prep
Before installation day, the generator location gets prepared: a level concrete pad (or a pre-cast pad) goes in, and the propane tank gets set if you're on propane. If your electrical panel needs an upgrade to accept the transfer switch, that happens here too.
Step 4: Installation day
The generator is placed on the pad and anchored. The transfer switch is wired between your meter and panel. The fuel line is run and connected — natural gas tie-in or propane line from the tank. Everything gets torqued, sealed, and labeled. Most residential installations finish in a single day.
Step 5: Testing and walkthrough
This is the fun part. We simulate an outage — utility power off — and you watch the generator start itself and take over your home. We verify voltage, test the transfer switch in both directions, confirm the weekly exercise is scheduled, and walk you through the controller: what the lights mean, how to check status, who to call if something looks wrong.
What you need to do
Almost nothing. Be home for the assessment and installation day, keep pets inside during the work, and make sure we can access your electrical panel, gas meter, and the yard area. We handle the rest — including the final inspection scheduling with the county.