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Backup power in New York

Electricians for generators and transfer switches.

100 pros in New York

Backup power in New York is shaped by two things: the memory of Superstorm Sandy and a strict set of city rules. A New York State Department of Public Service document says the storm left more than one million Con Edison customers without power, which is why many households now ask about standby generators and transfer switches. Before you hire, know that the NYC Department of Buildings says no permanent emergency, standby or optional backup power system work can be performed without a permit or a Licensed Contractor. Work that involves fuel-burning equipment, gas or fuel-oil pumps, tanks, piping and electric wiring can only be done by specialized Skilled Trades and registered Contractors with specialized licences. So ask each business which licence covers which part of the job, who will pull the permit, and whether a Registered Design Professional is needed to submit the documents. If you live in a New Jersey town nearby, these city rules do not apply, so check local requirements there.

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What to know in New York

Before you hire

  1. A generator wired into your home needs an approved transfer switch, fitted under a permit, so it can’t feed power back into the lines. Plan it before you buy.

    Source: bchydro.com (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in New York

Do I need a permit to install a standby generator in New York City?

The NYC Department of Buildings says no permanent emergency, standby or optional backup power system work can be performed without a permit or a Licensed Contractor. Ask any business you are considering who will apply for the permit and how that appears in the quote. NYC Department of Buildings (source, opens in a new tab)

Who is allowed to do backup power work in the city?

The Department of Buildings says emergency backup power work, including fuel-burning equipment, gas or fuel-oil pumps, tanks, piping and electric wiring, can only be done by specialized Skilled Trades and registered Contractors with specialized licences. Ask to see the licences for each part of the work. NYC Department of Buildings (source, opens in a new tab)

Who submits the permit documents when an oil burning installer does the work?

Where a Licensed Oil Burning Equipment Installer does emergency backup power work, a Registered Design Professional must submit the permit documents to the Department of Buildings. Ask who that professional will be and whether their work is part of the quote or separate. NYC Department of Buildings (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a generator quote include?

A written quote should name the equipment, the transfer switch, the fuel connection, the wiring, the permit work and who handles it, the schedule and the warranty. Get at least two quotes with the same scope so you can compare them line by line.

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