Standby Generator Installation in Seattle & South King County

A whole-home standby generator installed and wired by Hanco Electric, ready to carry the house when the grid goes down

Windstorms roll through the Puget Sound region every year, and outages that last hours or days are a normal part of life here. A standby generator is a permanently installed unit that senses when utility power drops, switches your home over automatically within seconds, and switches back when the grid returns. There is nothing to drag out of the garage and no extension cords. If any of these matter to your household, backup power is worth a conversation:

Hanco Electric handles the complete electrical side of the installation. Here is what happens from first contact to final inspection:

1. On-Site Evaluation We visit your home to assess your electrical panel, available capacity, the best location for the generator and transfer switch, and how much of the house you want to back up. This determines the right size unit and the scope of the work.
2. Written Scope & Quote You receive a clear written quote covering labor, materials, the transfer switch, permit fees, and coordination. No surprise add-ons after the work starts.
3. Sizing & Fuel We size the generator to the load you want to carry, whether that is the whole home or a set of essential circuits. Standby units run on natural gas or propane. Where a gas or propane supply line is needed, we coordinate that portion with the appropriate trade so the whole job stays on track.
4. Permit Application We pull the electrical permit with your local jurisdiction. This is required by law and protects you: unpermitted work can void your homeowner's insurance and create problems at resale.
5. Installation Day We set the generator on its pad, install the automatic transfer switch beside your meter or panel, run the wiring, tie in the circuits you are backing up, and complete the grounding. The transfer switch is the heart of the system: it isolates your home from the grid so power never flows back onto the utility lines, which keeps line crews safe.
   

   Standby unit set and wired

   

   Portable option with a transfer connection

6. Inspection & Testing A city or Washington State L&I electrical inspector reviews the completed work, depending on your jurisdiction. We coordinate the inspection, are present for it, and test the automatic transfer so you can watch the system carry the house. Once signed off, you receive documentation for your records.

• Automatic transfer switch, sized to the load being backed up
• Complete electrical connection between the generator, transfer switch, and panel
• Whole-home coverage, or a dedicated critical-loads subpanel for essential circuits
• Grounding and bonding to current NEC code
• Coordination of the gas or propane supply connection with the appropriate trade
• Permit and inspection coordination
• System test of the automatic switchover before we leave

Do you install the generator itself, or just the wiring?We handle the full electrical installation+

Hanco Electric handles the complete electrical installation: setting the unit, installing the automatic transfer switch, wiring it to your panel, tying in the circuits you are backing up, and grounding the system. Where a gas or propane supply line is required, we coordinate that portion with the appropriate trade so you have a single point of contact for the job.

What size generator do I need?It depends on what you want to back up+

The right size depends on whether you want to carry the whole home or a set of essential circuits, and on the loads themselves. A heat pump, well pump, or electric range draws far more than lighting and a refrigerator. Hanco Electric sizes the unit on the on-site evaluation so it comfortably carries what you actually need, without paying for capacity you will never use.

Natural gas or propane?Both work; it depends on your home+

Standby generators run on either natural gas or propane. If your home already has natural gas service, tapping into it is usually the simplest path. Homes without gas service typically use a propane tank. We help you weigh the options on the site visit and coordinate the fuel connection as part of the project.

Do I need a permit for a generator?Yes, and we pull it for you+

Yes. A standby generator and its transfer switch require an electrical permit in Washington State, and gas work carries its own permit. Unpermitted work can void your homeowner's insurance and create problems when you sell. Hanco Electric pulls the electrical permit as part of every installation. It is included in your quote, not an add-on.

Can my panel handle a generator?We check that on the visit+

A standby generator ties into your electrical service, so the condition and capacity of your existing panel matter. Older or full panels sometimes need attention first. Hanco Electric checks this on the on-site evaluation and, if a panel or service upgrade makes sense to do at the same time, folds it into one coordinated quote rather than two separate jobs.

Do you serve my area?Seattle, Renton, Burien, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way and more+

Hanco Electric primarily serves Seattle and South King County, including Renton, Burien, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, and Federal Way. We also serve north and east King County including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Shoreline. Not sure? Send us a message with your address and we'll let you know right away.