Home standby generator installation
Generac and Kohler standby generators installed by a licensed team that handles the electrical, the gas and the pad.
Home standby generator installation: an overview
A home standby generator is a permanently installed unit that sits outside your house, runs on natural gas or LP-gas (propane), and starts on its own when utility power drops. An automatic transfer switch moves your home’s circuits from the utility to the generator, and moves them back when the grid returns. Done right, the whole thing happens in seconds without anyone going outside in the weather.
Getting there takes more than setting a box on a slab. A good install starts with sizing the unit to the loads you actually want to run, choosing a spot that meets the manufacturer’s clearances and local code, getting the fuel supply right, and wiring the transfer switch correctly to your panel. On the Gulf Coast it often also means raising the unit on a stand, which you can see in many of Kelm’s own install photos.
Kelm Home Services is a certified Generac and Kohler dealer, and Clint Kelm has installed and serviced standby generators since 2005. Because he holds Texas Master Electrician and Master Plumber licenses along with LP-gas credentials, the electrical side and the fuel side of the job are handled by the same company instead of being split between contractors.
What’s included
What this work typically covers. Your scope depends on your home and equipment.
Site visit and load review
We look at your panel, your major appliances and the circuits you care about most, and talk through whole-home versus essential-circuit coverage.
Unit recommendation
A Generac or Kohler model sized for your home and fuel source, with the trade-offs explained in plain terms.
Permits and inspections
We pull the permits the job requires and coordinate the inspections with your city or county.
Pad or elevated stand
A level pad, or an elevated platform where flood exposure or site conditions call for it.
Transfer switch and wiring
Automatic transfer switch installation and generator wiring under electrical contractor license TECL #21849.
Fuel connection, start-up and walkthrough
Natural gas or LP-gas piping to the unit, then start-up, testing and a walkthrough of how your system works.
Good reasons to consider a standby generator
- You lose power during tropical storms, hurricanes or summer thunderstorms
- Someone in the home depends on powered medical equipment
- You want refrigeration, air conditioning or a well pump to keep running
- You’re tired of refueling and cording a portable generator
- You work from home and can’t afford long outages
Why homeowners call Kelm for standby generator installation
Certified Generac and Kohler dealer
We install and service both brands, so recommendations are based on your home, not on a single product line.
Electrical and fuel under one roof
Clint Kelm holds Texas Master Electrician and Master Plumber licenses and an RRC LP-Gas exemption, so the wiring, transfer switch and gas line are all handled by Kelm.
Standby generators since 2005
Clint has installed and serviced residential and commercial standby generators for two decades on the Gulf Coast.
Local and family-run
Kelm Home Services has been a family business for more than 50 years, based in League City and Santa Fe.
How it works
From your first call to a finished, tested job.
Call and talk it through
Tell us about the home, your fuel source and what you want backed up.
Site visit and sizing
We review the panel, loads and placement, then recommend a unit.
Permits and scheduling
We file permits and plan the install around your utility and gas provider.
Installation
Pad or stand, unit placement, transfer switch, wiring and fuel line.
Inspection, start-up and walkthrough
We test the system, pass inspection and show you how it runs and how to check on it.
Kelm generator installs
Photos from Kelm Home Services generator jobs.
Standby Generator Installation FAQ
Common questions about this service.
How long does an install take?
It depends on the site, the permit timeline and equipment availability. The on-site work is usually the shortest part; permits, inspections and utility or gas coordination take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your home.
Do I need natural gas?
No. Standby generators run on natural gas or LP-gas. If your home doesn’t have natural gas service, an LP-gas tank is a common option, and we’ll help you plan it.
Why do some generators sit on stands?
In flood-prone areas, raising the unit helps keep it above water. Whether your site needs a stand, and how high, depends on your property and local requirements.
Can I add a generator to an older home?
Usually, yes. Older panels sometimes need work first, which we can evaluate during the site visit.
Get an estimate for standby generator installation
Tell us about your home and the work you need. We’ll follow up by your preferred method.
Related services
Generator Sizing & Quotes
The right size is the one that runs what you need, starts your largest loads and fits your fuel supply. Here’s how we work it out.
Learn moreTransfer Switches
The transfer switch is what makes a standby generator automatic. We install, replace and service them under a Texas electrical contractor license.
Learn moreGas Lines for Generators
Natural gas or LP-gas piping sized for your generator, installed by a licensed Master Plumber with LP-gas credentials.
Learn moreMaintenance Plans
Choose Gold (two visits a year) or Silver (one visit a year) for your air-cooled or liquid-cooled standby generator. Every visit follows the same written checklist.
Learn more