You’ve been through a Snohomish County outage. You know what it’s like to wake up at 2am with no heat, no refrigerator, and no idea when PUD will restore your street. You’ve checked the outage map, called the 800 number, and heard “we are working to restore power as quickly as possible.”
Dickson Electric installs standby generators in Everett, WA. When the grid goes down, your generator starts on its own — in seconds. You don’t flip a switch. You don’t run extension cords. You don’t lose your refrigerator, your heat, or your well pump. The lights stay on.
WA License: DICKSEL851DH · (360) 568-4572 · Free estimates
Why Everett Homeowners Are Installing Generators Now
Snohomish County has one of the most storm-vulnerable grids in Washington. The Cascade foothills, Puget Sound weather, and aging overhead lines add up to real outages — not the kind that last two hours. The kind that lasts four days.
Snohomish County PUD — Three Storms, Three Reasons to Act |
November 2022 windstorm: 190,000 PUD customers lost power at peak. 26,300 were still waiting after 3 days — including widespread outages in North Everett and Bayside. June 2024 atmospheric river: 13,200+ customers out. 35–40 mph gusts recorded in Everett. Multi-day restoration. November 2024 bomb cyclone: Thousands of PUD customers without power for up to a week in the most damaged areas. PUD outage reporting: 425-783-1001 | outagemap.snopud.com |
One major multi-day outage per year in Snohomish County is the pattern now. Everett’s older tree canopy — especially in North Everett, Riverside, and Lowell — means downed lines and slow restoration. When PUD crews are working 20-hour shifts to restore 50,000 customers, your timeline depends on where your circuit falls in the repair queue.
A standby generator removes that from the equation. Grid goes down, your generator starts. You don’t wait.
Which Generator Is Right for Your Everett Home?
We help you pick based on your actual outage history, essential circuits, fuel supply, and budget. Here’s how the main options compare:
Portable + Transfer Switch | Standby (Air-Cooled) ★ Most Popular in Everett | Whole-Home Standby (Liquid-Cooled) |
You start it. Must run extension cords or use a manual transfer switch. | ✔ Starts automatically in seconds. No action needed during an outage. | ✔ Starts automatically. Zero wait, zero action needed. |
Gasoline or propane. You store it, you refill it. | ✔ Natural gas from your existing line. No fuel to store. | ✔ Natural gas or propane. Permanent supply. |
4–8 circuits. Essentials only. | 10–22 kW. Essential circuits or full home depending on size. | 20–60+ kW. Full home including HVAC, EV charger, and all appliances. |
Manual. You run it, you maintain it. | ✔ Weekly self-test cycle. Alerts you if something needs attention. | ✔ Weekly self-test. Built-in diagnostics. |
Occasional, short outages. Low budget. | ✔ Frequent or multi-day outages. Most Everett homes. | Medical equipment, large homes, EV fleets, whole-home coverage. |
Most Everett homeowners in Silver Lake, Pinehurst, and North Everett choose an air-cooled standby generator (10–22 kW) on natural gas, with an automatic transfer switch at the panel. No fuel to store. No manual start. It tests itself every Tuesday. You forget it’s there until you need it.
What Brings Everett Homeowners to Call Us
Your household includes medical equipment
An oxygen concentrator, home dialysis machine, or powered mobility device can’t run on a neighbor’s extension cord. Multi-day outages are not inconvenient for these households — they’re dangerous. We size your generator based on your medical load first, then add comfort circuits based on the remaining capacity. A whole-home automatic transfer switch means zero gap between grid loss and generator power.
You have a well pump or sump pump
The moment your grid power dies, your well goes dry. In Everett’s heavier clay soils, a sump pump that stops during a major rain event can lead to a wet basement within hours. Well and sump pump circuits are the first things we size. These are the circuits that justify generator ownership for most Everett homeowners who have them.
You work from home
A three-day outage costs you your entire workweek. Many Everett homeowners along the Boeing and Paine Field corridors now treat backup power as a business expense, not a home improvement. We size office-priority systems for your modem, router, computer, and monitor circuits and can include partial HVAC so your workspace stays usable during an extended outage.
You own an EV
If your car charges at home and the grid is down, your vehicle loses range every day. A properly sized standby generator with a transfer switch can be used to power your Level 2 EV charger circuit. Your car stays charged. Your range stays intact. We coordinate generator sizing and EV charger integration in the same project when you need both.
Your panel is older
Homes in Lowell, Riverside, and older North Everett neighborhoods with Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels need a panel assessment before a transfer switch can be safely installed. An automatic transfer switch connected to a failing panel doesn’t give you the reliability the generator promises. We evaluate your panel at the site visit and flag any issues in writing before the project starts.
How Your Generator Installation Works in Everett
Every install complies with WA State L&I licensing requirements and City of Everett permit standards. Here’s exactly what happens from your first call to the load test:
1 | You call. We listen. | Tell us your outage history, what you lost last time the power went out, and what circuits matter most. We ask targeted questions — well pump? Medical equipment? EV charger? Home office? — so we show up to your site already knowing what to look for. |
2 | We assess your home, not a square-footage chart. | We inspect your panel for transfer switch compatibility, walk your property for generator placement, check your natural gas line, and measure your actual load. You get a specific kW recommendation based on your circuits — not a generic range. |
3 | You get a written estimate before anything is touched. | Every line item: generator unit, transfer switch, all electrical work, gas line coordination, permit fees, inspection. If your panel needs work first, that’s quoted separately and you decide before we proceed. No surprises. |
4 | We pull the permits. | Generator installations in Everett require a City of Everett electrical permit. If gas line work is involved, we coordinate with the utility too. You don’t file anything, call anyone, or navigate the permit office. We handle it. |
5 | We install it right. | Transfer switch at the panel, dedicated generator circuits, gas line connection with a licensed plumber where needed, generator positioned and connected. Every connection is torqued to spec and inspected before we leave your property. |
6 | We prove it works before we leave. | We schedule and pass the City of Everett electrical inspection, run a full load test under simulated outage conditions, and walk you through the startup sequence, shutdown, weekly self-test schedule, and maintenance reminders. You’ll know exactly what to expect the first time the grid goes down. |
Why Everett Homeowners Choose Dickson Electric
A standby generator is one of the biggest installations in your home. It has to work on the worst night of the year, after sitting idle for months, connected to your panel in a way that’s safe, permitted, and insurable. Here’s what sets us apart for Everett homeowners:
Veteran-owned — calm and methodical | A generator install involves electrical work, gas line coordination, permits, and inspections across multiple trades. We run projects the way we’d run a mission-critical task: sequenced, documented, no shortcuts. Military background isn’t a tagline here — it’s how we manage your project. |
The HGTV electrician — resale value included | We are the official electricians for Lamb & Company on HGTV’s Unsellable Houses. A permitted, code-compliant generator is a documented resale asset in Everett’s real estate market — especially for buyers who’ve lived through a four-day PUD outage. Our installs are inspected and transferable to the next owner. |
WA License DICKSEL851DH — check it | Every install is permitted and inspected under our state electrical license. Unlicensed generator work is an insurance liability and a safety hazard — especially where a transfer switch is involved. Verify DICKSEL851DH at the WA Department of Labor & Industries website. |
We’ve worked your streets | We’ve installed generators in Silver Lake after the 2022 windstorm. In North Everett homes that went four days without power in the 2024 bomb cyclone. We know which neighborhoods lose power first, which panels are common in which streets, and how to size for Snohomish County’s specific outage patterns. |
Written warranty — no fine print | Every install includes a written workmanship warranty and upfront pricing confirmed before work starts. If we find a panel issue at the site visit, we tell you in writing before touching anything. You decide what happens next. |
What Everett Homeowners Say
Related Services for Everett Homeowners Installing Generators
Generator installs often connect to these services. We scope and coordinate all three together when it makes sense — fewer permit applications, fewer utility calls, one crew visit:
Panel Upgrades | Older Everett homes with Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or 100-amp panels often need a panel upgrade before a transfer switch can go in safely. We evaluate your panel at the site visit. If it needs work, we scope the panel upgrade and generator install as one coordinated project — one permit, one crew. |
Whole-Home Surge Protection | PUD power restoration is one of the leading causes of surge damage to appliances and electronics in Everett. A whole-home surge protective device at your panel protects you when the grid comes back on — and from your own generator’s switching transients. |
EV Charger Installation | A properly sized standby generator can include your Level 2 EV charger circuit, so your car stays charged through a multi-day outage. We scope generator sizing and EV charger integration together when you need both. |
FAQs: Generator Installation in Everett, WA
Does generator installation in Everett require a permit?
Yes. Every generator and transfer switch install in Everett requires a City of Everett electrical permit and a final inspection. If gas line work is involved, additional permits may apply. We handle all permit filings, utility coordination, and inspection scheduling. You don’t file anything or call anyone yourself.
How long does it take to install a generator in Everett?
Most residential standby generator installations take 2 to 3 days once permits are approved. Day one: transfer switch and panel work. Day two: generator placement and connection. Day three: City of Everett inspection and load test. Permit approval timelines vary — we build this into your project schedule and communicate any delays right away.
What size generator do I need for my Everett home?
It depends on your circuits — not your square footage. A home with a well pump, two refrigerators, and forced-air heat needs a different size than a home prioritizing a medical device and lighting. We conduct a full-load assessment during the site visit and provide a specific kW recommendation. Most Everett residential installs fall between 10 kW and 22 kW.
What fuel does a standby generator use in Everett?
Most Everett standby generators run on natural gas through your existing utility line. No fuel to store, no refilling during an outage. Propane is an option for properties without natural gas. We check your fuel supply during the site visit and recommend the best option for your property. Portable generators use gasoline, which you store and refill yourself.
How much does generator installation cost in Everett?
Cost varies based on generator size, transfer switch type, your panel condition, gas line needs, and permit fees. We give you a complete written estimate after the site assessment — every line item, before any work starts. Call (360) 568-4572 for a free estimate. We don’t quote generator installs without seeing your panel and site first.
Can a standby generator power my whole Everett home?
Yes, depending on the size. A 22 kW air-cooled generator can power most Everett homes — HVAC, refrigeration, lighting, and an EV charger. Larger liquid-cooled systems (30–60+ kW) serve larger homes with higher demand. We always show you the difference between covering your essential circuits and covering your whole home before recommending a unit.
Are your electricians licensed in Washington State?
Yes. Dickson Electric, LLC holds WA State electrical contractor license DICKSEL851DH. Every generator installation is permitted and inspected under that license. You can verify DICKSEL851DH at the WA Department of Labor & Industries website. For generator work specifically, an unlicensed transfer switch install can void your homeowner’s insurance.
Which Everett neighborhoods do you serve?
All of Everett: Silver Lake, Pinehurst, North Everett, Riverside, Harborview-Seahurst-Glenhaven, Lowell, and Bayside. Also Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, and all of Snohomish County.
Serving Everett With Local Knowledge of the Grid
Generator installation in Everett is different from a city with a stable underground grid. Snohomish County PUD serves 380,000+ customers across a territory that includes old overhead distribution lines, Cascade foothill weather exposure, and dense residential tree canopy. North Everett and Riverside lose power earlier and restore later than newer neighborhoods where more lines are underground. That’s not speculation — that’s the pattern from three major storms in three years.
A generator installed in these neighborhoods is not a nice-to-have. It’s the difference between four days of camping in your own home and four days with heat, hot water, and a working refrigerator while your neighbors wait for the PUD crew.
We know Snohomish County PUD’s restoration process. We know the City of Everett permit office. We know which panels are common in which neighborhoods. We’ve installed generators on the streets you’re calling from. When you call Dickson Electric, you get a local crew that has waited out the same outages you have — not a national franchise dispatching an out-of-area subcontractor.
Done Waiting Out Everett Outages? Call or text Dickson Electric: (360) 568-4572 Free load assessment · Written estimate · Permitted & inspected · Written warranty Dickson Electric, LLC · WA License DICKSEL851DH · 5815 163rd AVE SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 |