What this service involves
Install an outdoor generator inlet and suitable wiring back to transfer equipment.
Typical scope and limits: Approximately 15–30 ft. Interlock/transfer switch, generator and cord excluded.
Who usually needs it
Homeowners who want to connect a portable generator safely during outages. True does not install permanent standby generators or perform gas work.
Estimated pricing
$585–$1,080 per inlet and wiring
Priced per inlet and wiring. This is a planning range, not a quote.
Project ranges include labor and standard installation materials unless a listing says otherwise. Hourly rates are labor only, and equipment you supply (such as chargers, fixtures or fans) is not included. Permit fees and sales tax are additional. Estimates are free, including on-site visits.
Electrical work may require openings in walls or ceilings. Drywall patching, texture, and painting are not included and must be arranged with others.
What an electrician evaluates first
- Portable generator output and receptacle type
- Panel compatibility with a listed interlock
- Inlet location and cord route
- Which loads to run during an outage
Typical work sequence
- Confirm generator and panel
- Install interlock and inlet
- Label and test
- Walk through safe operation
Access and disruption
Inlets typically mount on an exterior wall near the panel.
Permits and inspection
New circuits, equipment changes and most wiring alterations normally need an electrical permit and inspection. In Washington, Labor & Industries issues electrical permits except in cities that run their own electrical program, so the permitting authority depends on the property address rather than the mailing city. True confirms the correct authority before work starts. Permit fees are additional to the estimate.
Helpful, safe photos
The closed panel, the generator’s receptacle panel and the intended inlet location. Only photograph what is safely visible — never remove electrical covers.
Questions
Can I plug a generator into a dryer outlet?
No. Backfeeding without a listed interlock or transfer equipment endangers utility workers and the home.
Do you install standby generators?
No. Portable-generator interlock kits, inlets and manual transfer switches are offered; permanent standby systems, automatic standby equipment and gas work are not.
Not sure what you need?
Send a photo. Ask a certified electrician.
Not sure what you need? Send a photo and tell True what’s going on or what you’d like to change. Get help understanding your options and the next step.
Tell True about your project
What happens next
Tell us what you’re working on. True will review your request and respond by your preferred contact method. Together, we’ll determine whether the next step is advice based on your photos, a visit, or an estimate. Estimates are free, including on-site visits.