ServicesGenerator Service & Repair
Generator Service & Repair in Forest Hill
We service and repair home standby generators and the transfer equipment that connects them to your panel. We trace the actual fault, show you what we found, and keep the work area around your unit and your home clean while we're there.
Keeping your backup power ready to start
A standby generator can sit for months and then have to carry your home the moment the grid drops. Most failures we see are small parts that wore out quietly: a starting battery that can't hold a charge, a battery charger that stopped charging, fouled spark plugs, old oil, or transfer switch contacts that have pitted from arcing. Any one of these leaves you with a generator that looks fine in the yard and does nothing during an outage.
Our generator service covers both routine maintenance and repair. We work on the electrical side and the basic engine service: the controller, the automatic transfer switch, the wiring between them, and the filters, plugs and fluids. If you're still deciding on a unit, our Generator Installation page covers new systems.
What a service visit covers
Controller and fault history
We read the error codes and event log stored in the generator's controller. The log shows failed start attempts, overcranks, low oil shutdowns and missed exercise cycles, which tells us where to look first.
Starting battery and charger
We load-test the battery instead of just reading its voltage, since a weak battery can show normal voltage at rest and still fail to crank. We also confirm the onboard charger is actually putting out a charge.
Engine maintenance
Oil and filter change, air filter, and spark plugs gapped to the manufacturer's spec. We check for oil leaks, worn belts on liquid-cooled units, and debris or nests in the enclosure.
Automatic transfer switch
We inspect the contacts for pitting and heat discoloration, check lug torque on the line and load conductors, and run a live transfer test so you see the switch move your home onto generator power and back.
Fuel supply check
We confirm the unit is getting enough natural gas or propane under load. If the problem is the gas supply itself, we tell you plainly so your gas provider or plumber can handle that part.
Signs your generator needs service
It missed its weekly exercise
Most standby units run a short self-test every week or two. If you stopped hearing it, the controller may have logged a fault or lost its schedule.
A red or yellow light on the controller
Warning lights mean the unit has flagged something, often a low battery, a maintenance interval or a failed start. Some faults lock the generator out until they are cleared.
Slow or labored cranking
A starter that turns over slowly usually points to a tired battery, corroded terminals or a charger that quit. In cold weather the problem shows up faster.
Lights flicker or dim on generator power
Unstable voltage can come from a governor problem, an overloaded circuit, or a loose connection at the transfer switch. Repeated dips are hard on motors and electronics.
The switch didn't transfer during an outage
If the generator ran but your home stayed dark, the fault is usually in the transfer switch, its control wiring, or a tripped generator breaker.
It hasn't been serviced in over a year
Oil breaks down and filters clog even with little run time. Running a heavy outage on old oil is how engines get damaged.
How the visit runs
- 1
We talk it through on the phone
When you book, we ask the make, model and what you've noticed, so we arrive with the right filters, plugs and likely parts. We give you an arrival window and let you know if it changes.
- 2
Setup without tracking up your yard
We stage tools on a ground mat beside the unit, not in your flower beds, and catch used oil in a drain pan so nothing soaks into the soil or gravel pad. If we need to reach the transfer switch indoors, we lay drop cloths and wear shoe covers.
- 3
Diagnosis and findings
We pull the fault log, test the battery and charger, and inspect the switch. Before any repair, we show you what we found, with photos when the part is out of sight, and explain the repair and its cost.
- 4
Repair, test and cleanup
After the work, we run the generator under load and perform a full transfer test. We haul away used oil, filters and old parts, wipe down the enclosure, and walk you through what we did.
What affects the cost of generator service
A routine maintenance visit and a repair are priced differently, and repairs depend on what actually failed. We explain the cost on site before we start any repair, so you decide with the facts in front of you. These are the main things that move the number.
- Size and engine type
- Larger liquid-cooled generators take more oil, coolant and filters than air-cooled units, and their service takes longer.
- Which part failed
- A battery or spark plug is a quick swap. A controller board, starter motor or transfer switch component costs more and may need to be ordered.
- Parts availability
- Parts for common current models are easy to get. Older or discontinued units can mean longer lead times or a decision about whether repair still makes sense.
- Time since the last service
- A unit that has gone years without attention often needs several items at once, such as plugs, filters and a battery, plus cleaning out a dirty enclosure.
Generator service questions
Something not covered here? (682) 281-8982
How often should a standby generator be maintained?
Schedule maintenance once a year, or earlier if the unit hits the run-hour interval listed in your owner's manual. Several days of running through a long outage can eat up a large part of that interval, so it makes sense to have it checked afterward. We follow the exact schedule in the manual for your model.
Will you service a generator someone else installed?
We do. Most common home standby brands are fine with us, whoever put them in. If the original install has problems, like wiring that is too small or a breaker that was left out, we show you and explain how to correct it.
Does it make sense to fix an older generator?
In many cases, yes, because plenty of failures come down to low-cost parts. If an older unit needs a major part that is hard to find, we put the repair price beside the cost of a replacement so you can weigh them, and we won't steer you to a new unit when a repair will last.
Could you install surge protection during the same visit?
Yes. Switching between utility and generator power can push voltage spikes through the house, and a whole-home surge protective device at the panel helps shield electronics and appliance control boards. You can read more on our Surge Protection page.
Will my power be turned off during the visit?
During the transfer test, the power goes out for a few seconds as the switch changes over. If the job means working inside the transfer switch, we let you know ahead of time how long you'll be without power, so you can save your work and plan for the refrigerator.
Have your generator checked before the next outage
Tell us your generator's make and model, plus anything it's been doing, and we'll set a time to come out. We'll find the fault, explain it, and leave your yard as we found it.