A standby generator installation is a permitted electrical and gas project, not a weekend DIY, but for the homeowner, the actual install is surprisingly smooth when a vetted local pro handles it. Here’s what the process looks like from first call to first self-test.
Before install day
Most of the work that determines a good outcome happens before anyone shows up with a generator:
- In-home assessment & sizing. The installer surveys your panel, the circuits you want to keep, and your fuel options, then runs a load calculation to size the unit.
- Fuel decision. Natural gas or propane, based on what’s available at your home (see the fuel guide).
- Permits. The installer pulls the parish electrical and gas/mechanical permits and confirms placement, setbacks, and, critically in South Louisiana, flood-elevation requirements. The permitting-by-parish reference breaks this down parish by parish.
- Scheduling. Equipment is ordered and a date is set, with the inspection lined up to follow.
On install day
A typical residential install is often completed in a single day. The crew works through roughly these steps:
- Site prep and the pad. They prepare a level base and, in flood-prone areas, set the generator on a pad elevated above the Base Flood Elevation so a flood can’t take out the very system you’re counting on.
- Setting the unit. The generator is positioned with the required clearances from windows, doors, and walls (per NFPA 37 and the manufacturer).
- Electrical & transfer switch. An automatic transfer switch is installed at your panel and wired so the generator can safely take over the moment the grid drops, and disconnect again when it returns.
- Fuel hookup. Licensed pros connect the unit to your natural-gas line or propane tank and pressure-test the connection.
- Commissioning & load test. The system is started, tested under load, and configured to self-exercise on a weekly schedule so problems surface long before a storm.
Inspection
After the install, the parish inspector signs off on the electrical and gas work. This may happen the same week rather than the same day, your installer coordinates it. Once it passes, your system is officially ready.
After install day
A standby generator is mostly hands-off, but not no-hands:
- Weekly self-exercise. The unit runs itself briefly each week to keep the engine healthy, you’ll hear it.
- Routine maintenance. Oil, filters, and a periodic checkup keep it reliable; many installers offer a maintenance plan.
- During an outage, do nothing. That’s the point, it detects the outage and restores power automatically, usually within seconds, whether you’re home or not.
Next steps
- Understand the paperwork: Standby Generator Permitting by Louisiana Parish
- Not sure on size yet? How to Size a Home Standby Generator
- Ready to schedule an assessment? We’ll connect you with a vetted installer in your city, including New Orleans, Slidell, and Houma.