Generac Generator Maintenance

jmen24 · 04-17-2014, 01:21 PM

I agree, maintenance contracts on these units is a cash cow for dealers.

Hire a local electrician that is licensed. We forward our installing electricians contact info to any customer that has us manage the install of their generator and they set up an annual appointment with him directly. I believe his fee is one hour and if repairs or parts are needed, that would be over that $80.00 rate.

With the Generac (same brand our electrician recommends) you will not likely see parts or repair requirements for quite a few years and when you do, you will still be ahead of the game. Why spend $200 a year on "annual maintenance", you could just spend $250 in the 4th year for a tune-up when it is actually required.

It will cost you considerably less and you will establish a relationship with local professional that is more valuable than a generator tech (also would be required to be a licensed electrician, but would likely be a Journeyman working under the dealers Master License).

If the person you contact starts cutting down the installation or saying that the work was inferior, get a second opinion just to make sure (we have seen instances of poor installation from "dealers" and other electricians, both local and big money advertisers, read WMUR) just to verify and cover your bases. We have also had contractors try to make themselves look better than they really are and they are not worth working with.

Happy Gourmand · 04-17-2014, 01:51 PM

I would say it depends on exactly what is included in the maintenance. Does it cover parts and labor if there is a problem? Does it include guaranteed response 24/7 if there is an issue?
You spent a bunch of money on the system, I'm sure you vetted the product and the dealer. How much will you really save by going elsewhere now? And what kind of hassle will you get IF you have a major problem and the system wasn't maintained by an authorized tech?
Give the man $200/year and rest easy that the system will operate when you need it and/or an issue with it will be dealt with on a priority basis. Isn't that what you really got it for?

04-17-2014, 01:21 PM	#1
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	I agree, maintenance contracts on these units is a cash cow for dealers. Hire a local electrician that is licensed. We forward our installing electricians contact info to any customer that has us manage the install of their generator and they set up an annual appointment with him directly. I believe his fee is one hour and if repairs or parts are needed, that would be over that $80.00 rate. With the Generac (same brand our electrician recommends) you will not likely see parts or repair requirements for quite a few years and when you do, you will still be ahead of the game. Why spend $200 a year on "annual maintenance", you could just spend $250 in the 4th year for a tune-up when it is actually required. It will cost you considerably less and you will establish a relationship with local professional that is more valuable than a generator tech (also would be required to be a licensed electrician, but would likely be a Journeyman working under the dealers Master License). If the person you contact starts cutting down the installation or saying that the work was inferior, get a second opinion just to make sure (we have seen instances of poor installation from "dealers" and other electricians, both local and big money advertisers, read WMUR) just to verify and cover your bases. We have also had contractors try to make themselves look better than they really are and they are not worth working with.

The Following User Says Thank You to jmen24 For This Useful Post:

04-17-2014, 01:51 PM	#2
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	I would say it depends on exactly what is included in the maintenance. Does it cover parts and labor if there is a problem? Does it include guaranteed response 24/7 if there is an issue? You spent a bunch of money on the system, I'm sure you vetted the product and the dealer. How much will you really save by going elsewhere now? And what kind of hassle will you get IF you have a major problem and the system wasn't maintained by an authorized tech? Give the man $200/year and rest easy that the system will operate when you need it and/or an issue with it will be dealt with on a priority basis. Isn't that what you really got it for?

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Happy Gourmand For This Useful Post:
camp guy (04-17-2014), Rusty (04-17-2014), secondcurve (04-18-2014), upthesaukee (04-17-2014)