Long Electric in Baltimore: Licensed Generator Installation and Repair for Residential and Commercial Backup Power
Long Electric is a licensed electrical contractor in Baltimore that installs, repairs, and maintains backup generators for homes and businesses, handling both equipment selection and the permitting required by the city.
What Long Electric Actually Is
Long Electric operates as a full-service generator contractor, not a parts retailer or online seller. The company holds a Maryland Class A electrical license and installs permanent standby generators (whole-home systems fueled by natural gas or propane) and portable units. They also repair existing generators and perform maintenance on aging equipment. The work includes load calculation to size the system correctly, connection to home electrical panels, fuel line installation, and city permit applications. Most jobs involve gas-powered standby units rated between 10 and 20 kilowatts, sufficient to run heating, water heaters, refrigeration, and essential circuits during grid outages.
Services and Pricing
Long Electric charges separately for consultation and installation. An initial site visit and load assessment typically runs $150 to $250, depending on home size and panel access. This consultation determines the kilowatt capacity needed and identifies whether natural gas or propane is practical.
Installation of a permanent standby generator (equipment plus labor) ranges from $4,500 to $8,000 for residential applications. A 10kW unit with natural gas hookup and single-panel integration sits near the lower end; a 20kW system with propane tank installation, transfer switch, and more complex electrical work reaches the upper range. Labor typically runs $85 to $120 per hour for repair work, with a one-hour minimum. Maintenance contracts, offered annually, cost $300 to $500 and include filter changes, fuel system inspection, and a load test.
Permits are required in Baltimore; Long Electric secures them as part of the installation package rather than billing separately. Final city inspection is included.
How It Compares to Other Baltimore Options
Long Electric competes primarily against independent electricians with generator experience and larger regional HVAC firms that branch into generator work. An independent electrician may quote $100 to $140 per hour and handle straightforward repairs at lower cost if the job is simple; however, they may lack the equipment or experience to perform load calculations or permit coordination smoothly. Regional firms like Chesapeake Comfort Systems or Md. Energy often market aggressively and may undercut on price for standard installations but sometimes delegate permit work to the homeowner or charge separately for it.
Choose Long Electric if you want a dedicated generator specialist who manages permitting end-to-end and can advise on sizing without upselling oversized systems. Choose an independent electrician if the repair is minor (carburetor cleaning, spark plug replacement) and you want the lowest hourly rate. Choose a regional HVAC firm if you are bundling generator work with a furnace or cooling upgrade.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Long Electric suits homeowners in older Baltimore neighborhoods prone to extended outages, particularly those with electric water heaters or sump pumps who cannot afford days without power. It also serves small commercial customers (medical offices, dental practices, server rooms) needing reliable backup. Renters and owners of condo buildings where permanent installation is restricted should explore portable generators instead; Long Electric installs those too but is not specialized in temporary solutions.
The service does not suit customers seeking the absolute lowest price on a simple repair. A handyman or general electrician may cost less for a one-time fix. It also does not suit those unwilling to obtain permits or those in areas where HOA rules prohibit visible generator placement.
What the First Visit Involves
Contact Long Electric to schedule a consultation. A technician visits your home to assess the electrical panel (age, available breaker space, amperage), identify the location for the unit (ideally near the house on a concrete pad with fuel access), and measure distances to gas or propane lines. The technician also walks through which circuits you want backed up (essential circuits only or whole home). This conversation determines system size and fuel type. You receive a written estimate within one to two business days.
If you accept the estimate, installation is typically scheduled within one to three weeks depending on permit processing time. The city usually approves residential generator permits within five to seven business days.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Long Electric operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with emergency repair callbacks available for existing customers outside these hours at an additional charge. Installation jobs take one to two days depending on complexity; repairs usually finish in one visit. The company maintains a service area covering Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Long Electric has earned its place in Baltimore as the option for homeowners who want generator work handled by a single licensed contractor with no permitting surprises, particularly important in a city where summer thunderstorms and aging grid infrastructure make outages predictable.
