When a storm blasts the Ottawa Valley and your whole-home backup generator doesn’t kick on , it needs to be fixed quickly and thoroughly.  You need electricity now, and you want confidence you’ll have it next time (there will always be a next time).

But your standby power supply is only as solid as the company you pick to fix or maintain your generator.  You may think, “Of course I should get a specialist who knows generators inside and out,” and that would be the right move.  But a lot of people don’t choose wisely, especially when they’re in a pinch and in a hurry.

Let’s put aside your best option for a minute: What are all of your options?  Who are all of the people who might be able to fix your generator (or at least accept your money for the attempt)?

Below is a simple list of all of the people and companies you can supposedly call for help, and below the list are the pros and cons of each.

Generator repair options in the Ottawa area

Several types of people or businesses might offer to fix your backup generator. Each brings different skills, risks, and costs.

1. Free help

2. Unlicensed Handymen

3. DIY Repairs

4. Small Engine Repair Shops

5. HVAC Technicians

6. Licensed Electricians

7. Manufacturer-Authorized Service Centers

8. Generator Specialists

Pros and Cons of Each Option

1. Free Help

You may have a buddy or relative who says “I’ll have you back up in no time!”  That’s not how it usually works out, though.

Pros:

• No money up-front.
• May be available quickly if they’re not busy.
• Convenient if they’re coming over anyway.

Cons:

• Typically no credentials, insurance, or accountability.
• Limited or no generator-specific knowledge.
• High risk of voiding warranties or causing damage.
• No recourse if things go wrong.
• May disappear mid-project if they get too busy or lose interest.
• Can strain relationships if the repair goes badly.

Bottom line: Free help is tempting, but when your backup power fails during a winter storm, “my buddy said he’d take a look” won’t turn your water heater or stove on. The awkwardness of a ruined friendship or post-outage family gathering makes this option not so free after all.

2. Handymen (Usually Unlicensed)

A step up from free help, given that you’re paying, which means slightly more accountability. But only slightly more.

Pros:

• Low up-front costs.
• May be available quickly for small jobs.
• The prospect of money means they’re somewhat more likely to show up. And if you pay only after the work is done, they’re more likely to finish.

Cons:

• Still typically no verifiable credentials or insurance.
• Limited generator-specific expertise unless you really luck out.
• Risk of voiding warranties or causing further damage.
• Minimal accountability if something goes wrong.
• No emergency service guarantee.

Bottom line: Most of the free help risks still apply here, but at least when you’re paying there’s a better chance they’ll prioritize your job over watching the game and. In the end, when mistakes need to be fixed, “cheap” usually becomes expensive.

3. DIY Repairs

Fixing your own backup generator puts you in the driver’s seat in some ways. If you’re knowledgeable about generators you can achieve great results. For most homeowners, however, the complexity of these systems can make DIY repairs challenging.

Pros:

• No labor costs – just parts and your time.
• Immediate attention without waiting on anyone else.
• Full control over the repair process.

Cons:

• Without specialized training it’s easy to misdiagnose or cause further damage.
• Working with electrical and fuel systems pose safety risks, even if you’re experienced.
• DIY repairs may void manufacturer warranties.

Bottom Line: DIY is ideal for basic maintenance, like oil changes, but complex repairs often require professional expertise.

4. Small Engine Repair Shops

If your generator has a pull-cord and wheels, these folks are in their element. For a 400-pound standby unit connected to your home’s electrical panel? Not so much.

Pros:

• Skilled in small engines and fuel systems.
• Often affordable for portable generators.
• Familiar with carburetor issues.

Cons:

• Limited expertise in home standby generators.
• Rarely handle electrical integration or transfer switches.
• Typically don’t stock parts for standby generator systems.

Bottom line: Can be a good option for portable gasoline generators but not ideal for complex home standby systems common in the Ottawa Valley.

5. HVAC Technicians

They help keep your home comfortable year-round, and some have added generators to their skill set, which seems a natural extension of their work. But generators still aren’t really on their side of the street.

Pros:

• Licensed and insured professionals.
• Understand home system integration.
• May already service your HVAC.

Cons:

• Generators are not their primary expertise.
• Limited availability during peak HVAC seasons.
• May refer out complex generator repairs.

Bottom Line: Can be a decent option if you trust their HVAC work, but their generator knowledge is often secondary.

6. Licensed Electricians

Electricians know their way around your panel, and they know how to work with all of the systems you’re trying to power. But generators are half electrical and half engine.  That second part often is the sticking point.

Pros:

• Expertise in electrical systems and safety codes.
• Licensed and insured.
• Can fix transfer switch issues.

Cons:

• Limited training in generator engines or fuel systems.
• Rarely offer 24/7 generator emergency service.

Bottom Line: Great for electrical issues, but less equipped for mechanical or fuel-related generator problems, and unlikely to fix your generator as quickly as needed.

7. Manufacturer-Authorized Service Centers

These are the specialists who went to “Generac University” or got their certification from Kohler. They know their brand inside and out – but perhaps just that one brand.

Pros:

• Factory-trained on specific brands (Generac, Kohler, Cummins).
• Access to OEM parts and technical support.
• Warranty-safe repairs.

Cons:

• Expertise limited to specific brands.
• May void warranties of brands they’re not licensed in
• May have long wait times during outages.
• Often more expensive than other options.

Bottom Line: Ideal for warranty-covered repairs or less-common brands, but availability and cost can be drawbacks.

8. Standby Generator Specialists (Like Powers Servicing)

We do one thing, and do it exceptionally well: get your backup generator running and keep it running.  The world needs generalists, too, and we have great respect for companies that provide many different services competently.  Doesn’t mean they’re best-equipped to get your backup power powered up, though.

Pros:

• 15 years of experience with all makes and models of generators, including Generac, Kohler, and Cummins.
• Small, accountable team, so you’ll know who’s coming to your home and when.  You won’t slip through the cracks.
• Fast response time, often as short as 1 hour.
• Emergency service throughout the Ottawa Valley, including on the weekends and after-hours.
• Authorized Generac dealer and servicer, certified for warranty-safe repairs across multiple brands.

Cons:

• We are affordable, but we’re not the absolute cheapest option.  That poor soul on Craiglist does have us beat on price, at least in terms of short-term, immediate costs.  (Quality always costs less in the long run. 

Bottom line: For us, generator repair isn’t a side hustle. It’s what we put all of our gigawatts into. That focus means we diagnose problems more quickly and fix them completely.

Need Generator Repair in the Ottawa Valley?

Powers Servicing is here for you 24/7. We provide expert generator repair and preventive maintenance. Contact us today to fix what’s broken or prevent problems before they start.