Home standby generators protect your family from power outages, but they cannot run safely without a properly sized transfer switch. Homeowners searching "how much to install a transfer switch" want clear numbers and confident guidance. CountBricks delivers both by combining field-tested construction experience with instant AI estimating, so every residential client starts with an accurate price range before the first tool hits the panel.
Every home is different, yet most transfer switch installations share six cost drivers:
• Switch type: manual, load-center, or fully automatic
• Amperage rating: 30-amp portable to 400-amp whole-home service
• Generator interface: new standby unit, existing portable, or future expansion
• Panel location: distance to generator inlet and meter, plus wall composition
• Local code requirements: permits, inspections, arc-fault upgrades
• Labor complexity: attic crawls, trenching, drywall repair, and finish work
Most CountBricks projects in single-family homes fall between $950 and $3,400 for parts and labor. Manual transfer switches serving a handful of critical circuits live at the low end, while automatic whole-home switches paired with larger generators push toward the top.
• Manual 6-circuit kits: $250–$400
• 100-amp automatic switch: $450–$750
• 200-amp service-rated switch: $900–$1,400
• Copper conduit, wire, fittings, breakers, and sealant: $150–$450
CountBricks pulls today’s distributor pricing directly into our AI engine, so your estimate always reflects current copper and switchgear market rates. No padded allowances, no last-minute surprises.
1. Site preparation and safety lockout: 1–2 hours
2. Panel modifications and switch mounting: 2–4 hours
3. Conduit runs or cable whips to generator inlet: 1–3 hours
4. Functional testing and inspection walkthrough: 1 hour
Licensed electricians typically bill $85–$150 per hour in most U.S. suburbs. CountBricks benchmarks your ZIP-code labor rates in real time, then cross-checks them against our verified subcontractor network to secure fair, competitive pricing.
Municipal permit fees range from $50 to $350 depending on service size and jurisdiction. Coordinating with the utility for meter pulls or disconnects can add scheduling costs, especially when whole-home service-rated switches are involved. CountBricks streamlines this paperwork through our online permit desk, saving clients an average of three calendar days.
Manual Transfer Switch
• Lower upfront cost
• Ideal for portable generators
• Requires homeowner to flip the switch
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
• Seamless power restoration in 10–30 seconds
• Required for standby and whole-home systems
• Higher material cost but superior convenience and resale value
1. Live voice call captures scope in minutes.
2. AI engine maps tasks, materials, and local code requirements.
3. Real-time distributor feeds supply current switchgear pricing.
4. Labor hours are auto-matched with regional wage data.
5. A polished PDF estimate and itemized invoice appear in your inbox—often before the call ends.
• Schedule installation during new panel upgrades to share permit fees
• Opt for surface-mounted conduit in unfinished basements to cut drywall repair costs
• Keep generator inlet within 15 feet of the switch to reduce copper runs
• Bundle annual generator maintenance with installation for package discounts
CountBricks partners with leading fintech lenders to offer 0% promotional financing on qualified projects. Every switch receives a five-year craftsmanship warranty through CountBricks.com/services, and manufacturer warranties are registered on your behalf.
Stop guessing "how much to install a transfer switch." Speak one-on-one with a CountBricks project advisor, then watch your personalized estimate populate in real time. Visit CountBricks.com/consultation or call our residential desk today.
CountBricks recently completed a 200-amp service-rated automatic transfer switch for the Ramirez family’s Colonial-style home. Their existing panel sat 30 feet from the outdoor generator pad, and local code required rigid metallic conduit for exterior runs.
• Material cost: $1,265 (switchgear, conduit, #2 THHN copper, fittings)
• Labor: 12 crew hours at the regional rate of $112/hour = $1,344
• Permits and utility coordination: $185
• Total installed price: $2,794
• Automatic switch selection added convenience but increased hardware cost
• Long conduit run raised wire and labor hours
• Utility disconnect required off-peak scheduling, adding two hours of standby time
• Placing the generator closer to the service entrance could have saved $240 in materials
• Upgrading the main panel simultaneously would have reduced permit fees by $75
• Booking during CountBricks’ winter promotion would have qualified for 0% financing
Every home layout is unique, but the CountBricks process stays the same. One short voice call, instant AI takeoff, and a clear price you can approve on the spot. Compare options, adjust scope, and sign digitally—right from your phone. Visit CountBricks.com/services to explore transfer switch packages today.
