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Home › Guides › Standby generator cost in Michigan · Checked Nov 15, 2026

Standby generator cost in Michigan: what you’ll really pay

The short answer

A standby generator sits outside on a pad, runs on natural gas or propane, and switches on by itself when the power goes out. It costs the most, and for some houses it’s the right call.

$6,000–$20,000installed, full rangeHomeGuide and Generac, checked Nov 15, 2026
$10,000–$15,000most whole-house installsHomeGuide and Generac, checked Nov 15, 2026
$200–$650a year in maintenanceHomeGuide
$485+if DTE Gas has to upgrade your meterPlus time and materials

Where the money goes

Generator$3k–$6k
Install labor$3k–$5k
Auto transfer switch$600–$2.5k
Permits$80–$450
Concrete pad$150–$400

Typical ranges, top of each bar is the high end. (HomeGuide, Generac)

The Michigan surprise: your gas meter

A standby may need a bigger gas meter. DTE Gas’s tariff charges $485 plus time and materials; one Milford customer paid $2,232 in 2024. Consumers Energy told WXYZ its upgrades typically run $300 to $2,000 or more. DTE says to call 800-338-0178 before you sign a contract. (WXYZ)

More detail

What size?

SizeTypical coverage
13–16 kWWhole home under 1,500 sq ft
17–20 kWWhole home, 1,500–3,000 sq ft
22–25 kWWhole home, 3,000–5,000 sq ft

HomeGuide. Your installer should do a load calculation.

A standby is the better call if

  • You have electric heat or a heat pump
  • You have a well pump and a sump pump
  • Someone relies on medical equipment
  • You’re often away (it starts itself)
  • You need more than 9,600 running watts

You can likely spend less if

  • You heat with gas and your must-haves fit under 7,200 watts
  • Someone is home to roll out a portable
  • You’re with DTE: the meter plug is $99.99 or $249.99 plus $22.99 a month

Getting quotes

  1. Call your gas utility first. Ask whether your meter and service line can carry a generator.
  2. Get three written quotes. Each should list the unit, pad, transfer switch, gas line, wiring and permits.
  3. Check the electrician’s license. LARA license lookup.
  4. Ask what upkeep costs per year.
  5. Consumers Energy customer? Ask about the Peak Power Savers generator incentive before you install. (Consumers terms)

Questions people ask

How much does a whole-house generator cost in Michigan?

Most whole-house standby installs run $10,000 to $15,000, and the full range is about $6,000 to $20,000 (HomeGuide and Generac 2026 cost guides). In Michigan, add any gas meter upgrade your utility requires.

Does DTE charge to upgrade a gas meter for a generator?

DTE Gas’s tariff charges $485 plus time and materials when a service alteration is needed, as reported by WXYZ. DTE asks customers to call 800-338-0178 before contracting work.

What size standby generator does a house need?

HomeGuide says 13 to 20 kW typically powers a whole home up to 3,000 square feet. An installer’s load calculation sets the real size.

Is there a rebate for a standby generator in Michigan?

Consumers Energy’s Peak Power Savers Generator Program pays an incentive for qualifying whole-home generators. Check the current terms with Consumers before you buy.

Keep reading

Two rules that save lives

Never run a generator in a garage, porch or near a window. Keep it 20 feet out, exhaust away.

Never backfeed through a dryer outlet. A ‘double-male’ cord can electrocute a lineman down the street. Your plan uses only safe, legal ways to connect.

Not sure which fits your house? A few taps about your home and what has to stay on. Free, and no email needed to see your plan.

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Sources (checked Nov 15, 2026)

Lights Back On is not affiliated with DTE Energy. Educational content only; not electrical advice.