Whole-Home Generator Installation — Fort Myers

Why Lee County Installs More Generators Than Almost Anywhere

Anyone who's spent a September week in Fort Myers without power — no AC, no refrigeration, no well pump — doesn't need the sales pitch. A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch picks up the house within seconds of an outage and runs on propane or natural gas until the grid comes back.

What the project actually involves

• Load calculation and sizing — whole-home versus essential-circuits coverage; AC is the decision that drives generator size in Florida. See how to choose the right generator size for the full breakdown.
• Transfer switch installation — the code-required heart of the system; this is licensed-electrician territory, not a DIY transfer cord.
• Fuel supply coordination — propane tank siting or natural gas hookup, coordinated with a gas contractor where needed.
• Permits and inspection — Lee County requires electrical permits for generator installs; a licensed contractor pulls them as part of the job.
• Panel readiness — older panels often need upgrading before they can take a transfer switch; better to learn that at the estimate than mid-install.

When to start

Before hurricane season, not during it. Demand — and lead times — spike after every named storm, and equipment availability follows the same curve. An estimate scheduled in winter or spring gets installed before the season it's supposed to protect. See our full hurricane season electrical checklist for everything else worth checking before and after a storm.

Portable vs. standby — the honest comparison

A portable generator plus interlock kit costs far less and keeps essentials alive, but you're fueling it with gas cans every few hours in post-storm heat. Standby costs more and does everything automatically for days. Both are legitimate; a licensed electrician can quote the interlock option too if that's the right fit for your budget. See our full portable vs. standby comparison for the complete breakdown.

Generator Installation FAQ

How much does a whole-home generator cost installed in Fort Myers?

Most fully installed systems run $9,500–$18,500, covering the generator, automatic transfer switch, fuel hookup, permit, and inspection. Home size, generator capacity, and fuel type (natural gas vs. a new propane tank) are the biggest cost drivers.

Do I need a permit for a generator installation in Lee County?

Yes. Lee County requires an electrical permit and inspection for standby generator installs — a licensed contractor pulls it as part of the job.

Should I install a generator before or after hurricane season starts?

Before. Demand and equipment lead times both spike the moment a storm is in the forecast; an estimate scheduled in winter or spring gets installed ahead of the season it's meant to protect.