Automatic Backup Generators in Houston | Power On in 10 Seconds

Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pipe: We carry spools of yellow poly pipe in multiple diameters—the gold standard for underground gas runs that never corrode. Unlike black iron pipe, PE won’t rust underground in Houston’s moisture-rich clay soil.

Hurricane-Rated Concrete Pads: We install either pre-cast concrete pads or composite fiber pads designed to keep your generator level and secure during high winds. The pad must support 500+ pounds and remain stable through soil movement.

Anodeless Risers: The critical fitting that transitions your gas line from underground (plastic) to above-ground (steel) without creating a galvanic rust point. This prevents the failure mode that destroys most DIY gas installations.

Tracer Wire: We install green insulated conductive wire alongside the plastic gas line so future utility locators (811 services) can find your pipes electronically, preventing accidental cuts during landscaping or fence installation.

Electrical Components: Weatherproof disconnect boxes, liquid-tight flexible conduit, copper grounding rods, and the automatic transfer switch itself.

Plywood Protection Tracks: Before any heavy equipment enters your property, we lay down plywood walkways. This distributes the weight of our trenching equipment and prevents rutting in your grass. Your lawn doesn’t get crushed under the weight of machinery.

Hand-Digging in Sensitive Areas: Around flower beds, sprinkler heads, landscape lighting, and mature tree roots, we hand-dig with shovels. We don’t take shortcuts that destroy your landscaping.

Irrigation System Mapping: Before trenching, we use your sprinkler system diagrams (if available) or probe carefully to locate and mark underground irrigation lines. If we do accidentally cut a line, we repair it at no charge as part of the installation.

Daily Cleanup: At the end of each work day, we don’t leave a construction zone. We rake loose dirt, coil hoses, and keep the site as clean as possible while work is in progress.

Proper Compaction: We don’t just dump dirt back in the trench and hope for the best. We backfill in 6-inch layers, compacting each layer to prevent settling. This prevents the trench from collapsing into a ditch months later.

Native Soil Replacement: We use your original topsoil as the final layer, giving new grass seed the best chance to establish.

Grading & Raking: We don’t leave a mound of dirt running across your yard. We grade the trench smooth and rake it level with the surrounding lawn.

Seeding or Sodding: Our installation quotes include re-seeding disturbed areas. For customers who want immediate restoration, we can install sod strips over the trench path (quoted separately).

Will your yard look exactly the same the day after installation? No. There will be a visible trench line. But within 4-6 weeks after seeding, you’ll struggle to remember exactly where we dug. Most customers tell us they’re surprised at how quickly the lawn recovers and how minimal the long-term impact is.

The alternative—running extension cords through windows during every power outage—damages your home’s weather sealing and creates a permanent fire hazard. We’ll take a temporary trench over a permanent hazard every time.

1. Distance from Meter to Generator Location

The further the generator sits from your gas meter and electrical panel, the more materials and labor are required.

• Short Run (20-40 feet): Typical installation with minimal trenching
• Medium Run (40-80 feet): Requires additional gas pipe and electrical conduit
• Long Run (80+ feet): May require upsizing gas pipe diameter to compensate for friction loss over distance

Every additional foot of trench adds both material cost (pipe, wire, backfill) and labor (digging, laying, backfilling).

2. Gas Meter Upgrade Requirements

If your existing meter can’t flow enough gas, we coordinate with CenterPoint Energy for an upgrade. The meter itself is typically provided free by CenterPoint (they own it), but there are scenarios that add cost:

• Standard Upgrade: Free, but adds 2-3 weeks to timeline
• Service Line Upgrade: If your underground service line from the street is also undersized, CenterPoint may require upgrading the yard line from the street to your meter (this can add $2,000-$5,000 depending on distance)
• Regulator Installation: For 2-pound elevated pressure systems, we install a step-down regulator at the generator ($400-$600)

We identify these requirements during the site assessment so there are no surprises.

3. Concrete Pad Type

You have options depending on budget and site conditions:

• Composite Fiber Pad: Pre-fabricated, lightweight, adequate for most installations ($300-$500)
• Pre-Cast Concrete Pad: Heavy-duty, longer lasting, better for uneven ground ($600-$900)
• Poured-in-Place Concrete: Custom sized, reinforced, required for very large generators or difficult terrain ($1,200-$2,000)

We recommend the pad type based on your generator size and soil conditions, not our profit margin.

4. Electrical Complexity

Most installations use a standard Automatic Transfer Switch, but some homes require additional equipment:

• Load Management Modules: If you have multiple A/C units (3+ tons total) or want to power your entire home with a smaller generator, we install “load shed” modules that intelligently cycle heavy loads ($800-$1,500)
• Sub-Panel Installation: If your main panel is full or outdated, we may need to install a generator-specific sub-panel ($600-$1,200)
• Service Upgrade: Rarely, very old homes with 100-amp service may benefit from a 200-amp service upgrade to support the generator properly (quoted separately, typically $2,500-$4,000)

5. Site Accessibility

• Standard Access: Truck can reach generator location, trenching equipment fits through gate
• Limited Access: Narrow gates, tight crawl spaces, or need to hand-carry materials through home (adds labor time)
• Extreme Access: Installation site requires crane lift over house or extensive hand-digging (quoted case-by-case)

To give you a realistic expectation (generator unit + installation):

• 22kW Air-Cooled (Whole Home, Average Size House): $12,000 – $16,000
• 24kW Air-Cooled (Larger Home, Standard Distance): $14,000 – $18,000
• 30kW Liquid-Cooled (Estate Home, Multiple A/C Units): $20,000 – $25,000

These ranges assume standard site conditions. Extreme distance runs, meter upgrades requiring service line work, or complex electrical integration can add to the upper end.

We provide firm, fixed-price quotes only after seeing your property. Online “instant quotes” or phone estimates are meaningless because they can’t account for:

• Your actual gas meter capacity
• Distance from meter to installation site
• Soil conditions and existing landscaping
• Electrical panel capacity and condition
• HOA or city-specific requirements

Our site assessment takes 45-60 minutes and results in a detailed proposal with line-item pricing. You know exactly what you’re paying for before we start work.

• 5 Feet from Openings: The unit must be at least 5 feet from any window, door, or fresh air intake to prevent Carbon Monoxide from entering the home.
• 3 Feet from Shrubs: Adequate airflow clearance on all sides for engine cooling.
• 18 Inches from Walls: Access for service and maintenance.
• Utility Clearances: Minimum distances from gas meters, electrical panels, and HVAC equipment per local code.

In coastal zones (Galveston, League City, Clear Lake), we elevate the unit on raised concrete platforms or composite pads to keep it above potential storm surge. FEMA flood maps dictate minimum elevation requirements for new construction in flood zones.

• Conduit Routing: We run conduit and gas piping cleanly along the foundation, painting it to match your home’s trim color whenever possible.
• Screening Options: Many HOAs require visual screening. We coordinate with landscapers or install pre-fabricated screens that maintain code-required clearances.
• Noise Orientation: We position the exhaust outlet away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas when possible.

Challenge: Long runs from gas meters to installation sites (100+ feet). Tree root interference during trenching.

Solution: We upsize gas lines to 1.25″ or 1.5″ diameter to compensate for friction loss over distance. We hand-dig around major tree roots to avoid damage.

Challenge: Expansive clay soil causes concrete pads to shift and settle. New construction homes often have inadequate gas service.

Solution: We install fiber-reinforced composite pads that flex with soil movement. We initiate CenterPoint meter upgrades early in the process since these neighborhoods frequently need them.

Challenge: Flood elevation requirements. Salt air corrosion on outdoor components.

Solution: We install elevated mounting systems that meet FEMA base flood elevation requirements. We use stainless steel fasteners and paint all exposed conduit with marine-grade corrosion inhibitor.

Challenge: Propane fuel instead of natural gas. Longer permitting timelines in smaller municipalities.

Solution: We coordinate with LP suppliers to install appropriately sized tanks (500-1000 gallons). We handle permit applications for multiple jurisdictions and understand each city’s specific requirements.

• Fuel Volume Calculations: Determining if your gas service can handle the load
• Pipe Sizing: Calculating friction loss over distance and sizing pipes accordingly
• Meter Coordination: Interfacing with CenterPoint Energy for upgrades
• Pressure Regulation: Installing regulators that step down 2 PSI service to appliance-safe levels
• Underground Construction: Trenching, backfilling, and protecting infrastructure

Most electrician-led installations tap into your existing 3/4″ yard line without calculating whether it can flow enough gas. The generator works fine during the 5-minute test, but fails under sustained load during an actual outage. Then the homeowner calls us to fix the gas infrastructure—often requiring re-trenching and pipe replacement.

We lead with gas expertise and partner with vetted Master Electricians for the electrical integration. You get both disciplines working together under one project manager (us), ensuring the system is engineered correctly from day one.