Most Myrtle Beach homeowners pay between $10,000 and $18,000 fully installed for a whole-house standby generator in 2026. The final number depends on the generator's size, your home's electrical service, fuel type, and site conditions. Here's exactly where that money goes.
The Short Answer
- 13–18kW air-cooled system (essential + most circuits): $10,000–$14,000 installed
- 20–26kW air-cooled system (true whole-house for most homes): $13,000–$18,000 installed
- Liquid-cooled 30kW+ (large homes, three-phase, commercial): $25,000+
These figures include the generator, automatic transfer switch (ATS), pad, wiring, gas hookup (with existing fuel on site), permits, and inspection.
What's Included in a Professional Installation
- The generator itself — brands like Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX, Champion aXis, and Rehlko (Kohler) range from roughly $4,500 to $8,500 for air-cooled residential units.
- Automatic transfer switch — the ATS senses an outage and switches your home to generator power in seconds. Service-entrance-rated switches cost more but simplify the install.
- Concrete or composite pad — coastal installs need a stable, code-compliant base rated for our wind zone.
- Electrical work — conduit and wire runs between the meter, ATS, panel, and generator. Longer runs mean more copper, and copper is a major cost driver.
- Fuel connection — natural gas tie-in or LP tank and gas line. Homes without natural gas service need a propane tank (often leased from a fuel supplier).
- Permits and inspection — Horry and Georgetown counties both require electrical permits and inspection for standby generators.
What Makes the Price Go Up (or Down)
- Distance: A generator placed 80 feet from the panel costs meaningfully more than one placed 15 feet away.
- Service size: 400A homes often need two transfer switches or a larger 400A service-rated solution.
- Fuel: If you already have natural gas or propane, you'll save the cost of installing a new propane tank.
- Access: Elevated beach homes and tight lot lines can require special routing and equipment.
Is It Worth It on the Grand Strand?
The Grand Strand averages several tropical systems per season, and outages after major storms can last days. A standby generator keeps HVAC, refrigeration, well pumps, sump pumps, and medical equipment running automatically — whether you're home or not. For rental property owners, it also protects rental income and prevents costly damage claims.
Get an Exact Price in Minutes
Instead of a rough range, use our free online quote tool — answer a few questions about your home and get real pricing for your specific installation at palmettopower.net/quotes, or call 843-466-4488 to schedule a free site visit.