A standby-generator estimate used to sound like an obvious in-person appointment.
Someone drives to the house, walks around, opens the electrical panel, asks a few questions, takes measurements, and leaves to prepare a proposal.
Prairie Power Generator Solutions can begin many residential projects without that first truck roll.
We say most new generator estimates can start virtually. The homeowner shares photographs of the electrical panel, fuel source, and property layout, and we use that information along with a discussion of the household’s backup-power goals to begin sizing and planning the system. If the property needs an in-person visit, we schedule one. Details live on the residential installation page and the residential generators overview.
The virtual assessment is not the generator installation happening remotely.
It is a more efficient way to collect the basic site information needed before the project reaches the field.
The electrical-panel photo shows more than the breaker labels
We need to understand the home’s electrical system because the generator eventually has to connect to it through transfer equipment.
A useful panel photo should therefore show the entire panel, not one close-up of a breaker the homeowner thinks is important.
Our installation page specifically asks homeowners to provide panel photos during the virtual assessment.
Take one photo from far enough back to show where the panel is located.
Then take another clear image of the breakers and labeling.
If there is a second panel nearby, photograph that too.
The homeowner does not need to remove covers or inspect internal electrical components. The goal is simply to show us what is already visible during ordinary access.
Those images give the estimator a much better starting point than “I think we have a 200-amp panel.”
The fuel photo tells another part of the installation story
We install standby systems using fuel sources appropriate for the property, including natural gas or propane depending on the site. Our agricultural and commercial work may involve other fuel considerations as well.
For a residential virtual assessment, show the existing fuel source.
If the home uses propane, take a wide photo showing the tank and its relationship to the house rather than photographing only the manufacturer’s label.
If natural gas serves the property, tell us that when you submit the information.
Fuel planning affects generator placement and coordination, so we need the property context as well as the fact that fuel exists.
Our installation page says our proposal process includes fuel-line coordination along with the generator, transfer switch, installation, and permitting.
That is why this part of the virtual assessment is not simply a question on a form.
A wide property photo can answer questions a close-up cannot
Homeowners naturally take photographs of the object they were asked about.
For generator planning, the spaces between those objects matter too.
Where is the electrical service in relation to the likely generator location?
How close is the fuel source?
What does the side yard look like?
Is there a fence?
Where are doors, windows, walkways, or other equipment?
We say the virtual process also considers the home layout and site conditions before system design.
A wide photo gives the estimator context that five extreme close-ups cannot.
It may also reveal that the project deserves an on-site visit before a final plan is developed.
That is not a failure of the virtual assessment.
Identifying which jobs need someone physically at the house is part of what the assessment is for.
Photos do not replace the load calculation
A picture of the panel cannot tell us which parts of the house the homeowner considers important during an outage.
That information has to come from the customer.
Our process includes load calculation and generator sizing after the initial assessment. The broader installation process page walks consultation through commissioning.
Tell us how you want the house to function when utility power is unavailable.
Are you planning for whole-home coverage?
Are there selected circuits that matter most?
Have you added a shop, electric appliance, larger heating or cooling equipment, or other major load since the home was built?
Our current blog already covers whole-home versus priority-circuit planning and load management in detail, including how load management lets a smaller standby generator cover a bigger home and whole house or priority circuits planning.
The virtual photos describe the property.
The load conversation describes what you expect the generator to do.
Both are needed.
The process becomes physical once the installation begins
We are a division of Kieley Electric, and electrical installation remains in-house with Kieley’s electricians.
After the assessment and proposal, the project moves into actual site work, generator placement, electrical connection, transfer-switch installation, fuel coordination, testing, and commissioning.
We then walk the homeowner through system operation once the installation is complete. Ongoing care can continue through service plans after the system is online.
So the virtual assessment should be thought of as the front door to the installation process, not a shortcut around professional field work.
It saves a trip when the information can be gathered accurately from photos.
The rest of the project still happens at the house.
Better photos can make the first conversation much more productive
Do not worry about creating professional images.
Just make them clear.
Turn on the lights.
Step back.
Show the whole panel.
Show the fuel source.
Show the side of the house and the space around it.
Add a short note explaining anything the picture does not make obvious.
We serve homes throughout North Dakota and Minnesota, with primary coverage around Fargo, Grand Forks, Detroit Lakes, Thief River Falls, Moorhead, West Fargo, Grafton, and many surrounding rural communities. Confirm coverage on service areas and learn more on about.
Browse related posts on the blog. Homeowners can call 701-935-3617 or email info@prairiepower.net through the contact page to begin an estimate and find out whether the property can start with a virtual assessment or needs an on-site visit.