jonatjonatjonat wrote: I would say eBay would expect you to have a backup (in this case a generator)...
A backup generator? Yes eBay (or a platform in a similar position) would think it sounds a simple and reasonable solution to avoid seller defects, but for the seller concerned it can be a faff and it's an expensive can of worms - just look at and faint at the costs I mention below.
A backup generator isn't reasonable unless you're in an area likely to use it more than once in a blue moon, and if you can take the cost hit / poor value (expensive generator unused almost all the time - if you buy now it may never be used; needs storage space). Also, for a small business, it'd be reasonable only if your business is in selling high-value items or so many items they total high value.
A few years ago a group of us was tasked to research a backup generator for the village hall (power outage for the area for a week, starting Christmas Day, thus winter cold, when people were cooking Christmas dinner; after 2 days the power firm brought in several generators to power the whole village) but in the end the costs/faff = no purchase. A generator costs £hundreds or £thousands depending on type, size, required output, plus installation costs and any required permit fee. Details below - skip as wished!
Portable generators (suitable for running a few essential appliances) cost £300 to £2,500 for domestic use, with smaller models (1kW) starting at around £300. Standby generators (capable of powering most or all of a home) start at about £2,000 for a 7kW model; up to £8,000+ for higher-capacity units (15kW+). For small businesses/village hall, a 7kVA generator (roughly 5.5kW prime power) is priced around £3,075 (ex. VAT), with larger models costing loads more.
For businessses/village hall, a permit is required - fees range from £50 to £200. The permits are required, to ensure compliance with building regulations and electrical safety regulations. An insurer might ask to see a copy of the permit if you make a claim. If you're talking about large commercial installations, more consents may be required.
Portable generators generally don't require a permit for purchase or use, but to connect them directly to your home's wiring (via a transfer switch), professional installation is a good idea and compliance with regulations is needed. These days professional installation may well be an actual requirement, in the same way that hard-wiring anything domestically these days requires a certified electrical engineer; and a copy of the documentation is asked for by your purchaser's conveyancer should you sell your place).
Commercial installations or larger generators may require additional permissions, especially if fuel storage or major electrical work is involved.
Installation costs are of course on top, about £1,000 to £3,000, depending on complexity, site preparation and labour. For a business or an enterprise like our village hall, it had/has to be done by a certified qualified person. Expect to produce the documentation to an insurer if you make a claim and to any conveyancer acting for a purchaser of the premises.
Moral of the story? Cook Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, that's what some of my neighbours changed to doing for a while 🙂
