Whole-Home and Portable Generators
Higgins Electric installs whole-home standby generators across the Greater Memphis Area and North Mississippi, so when the power goes out, your home keeps running. Heat, AC, refrigerator, well pump, and lights, all without you lifting a finger. We're a licensed electrical contractor in business since 1998, and we handle the whole job: load calculations, generator sizing, the automatic transfer switch, the pad, gas connection, permitting, and inspection. We install both Kohler and Generac standby generators, so we'll match the right unit to your home.
A standby generator is more than a box in the side yard. Sizing it correctly is what separates a system that carries your whole house from one that trips on the first cold morning. We evaluate your panel and your loads first, install the automatic transfer switch so the generator starts itself within seconds of an outage, set the pad, and commission the system with a full startup and test under load.
Prefer a portable generator? That's a smart, budget-friendly option for a lot of homes, and we install it right. We wire a proper inlet box and a transfer switch or interlock kit so you can safely back-feed your circuits, no extension cords through a cracked window, no dangerous suicide cords. You choose which circuits to power, and the interlock guarantees you can never endanger a lineman.
Why Higgins Electric? We're a family-owned, licensed electrical contractor that's served the Memphis metro and North Mississippi since 1998. Generators are one of our core services, not a side job. We pull the electrical and mechanical permits, separate grounds and neutrals, bond the gas line, and run a real startup test before we leave.
For our commercial clients, we install larger standby systems with the right transfer switch and load management to keep critical equipment, refrigeration, and operations online through any outage.
FAQs
Do I need a whole-home standby generator or is a portable enough?
It depends on what you want running and for how long. A whole-home standby unit starts automatically within seconds, runs on natural gas or propane, and can carry your entire house for days without you touching it. A portable paired with a proper inlet and interlock kit is a more affordable way to power the essentials, but you have to start it, fuel it, and connect it yourself. We'll help you land on the right fit.
What size generator does my home need?
That comes down to which circuits you want backed up and your largest loads, like central air, a well pump, or an electric range. We do a load calculation rather than guessing, then size the unit so it carries what matters without being oversized and overpriced. The goal is a generator that handles your real-world demand reliably, not a number off a brochure.
How long does a generator installation take?
Most residential whole-home installs take one to two days on site once the unit is on hand and permits are in place, though gas connection and inspection timing can add to the calendar. Portable inlet and interlock setups are typically a single day. We'll give you a realistic timeline up front when we quote your project.
How much does a generator installation cost?
Every generator job is genuinely different, so a flat number wouldn't be honest. The biggest factors are whole-home versus portable, the size of the unit, the transfer switch, the gas connection, the pad, and any panel work needed. We give a firm, itemized quote after evaluating your home and your power needs, so you know exactly what's included before any work begins.
What's the difference between Kohler and Generac?
Both are solid, reputable brands, and we install both. Kohler is known for its build quality and engines, while Generac has the largest installed base in the country and is often a strong value. Rather than steer you to one name, we'll look at your needs, budget, and unit availability, then recommend the model that fits.
Have a project in mind? Fill out the form with a few details, and we'll get back to you shortly to talk through next steps.