How to Sell Your Commercial Or Industrial Generator

Many scenarios would bring about selling your industrial generator, whether it’s because you’re closing your business, your contract is over, or you’re looking to upgrade to a new generator. It’s understandable that asset recovery is on top of your mind and that you’d like to recover your equity, as you can inject that money back into your business or use it elsewhere. Here is what the industrial generator sale process will look like for you.

Collect Generator Information

Potential buyers are interested in knowing everything about the generator you plan to sell. They will want to know the manufacturer and model number, run hours, years in service, fuel type, age, and size in kilowatts. It’s also important to share service history.
 
Was the unit used in a prime or standby setting? These are good indicators of the wear and tear on equipment.
 
Photos of the generator are key to a good sale. Take clear photos of the generator showing all sides and important components including engine and genset tags.

Photos also provide a visual close-up of the generator. They enable buyers to see more, helping them make a more educated decision. Photos will confirm condition and information.
 
Find the Right Buyer
 
You have several options of places to sell your industrial generator. However, finding the right buyer is up to you. You should always do your research and look at the various options available to you, then choose the best one that suits your needs.
 
The best place to start is with your own network. Ask around to see if anyone has recently sold a generator that had a positive experience.

You can also search the internet for selling and buyer options. Used generator vendors, auctions, or look for marketplaces where you can list your unit. In either case, you’ll want to sell to a reputable buyer.
 
Reputable generator buyers can ensure quick, secure, and convenient transactions and may also provide decommission management, removal, and shipping services. To help do your due diligence, search websites to see how long the company has been in business. Also, look at customer testimonials, certifications, and awards, and verify the company with the Better Business Bureau.
 
Decommission the Generator
 
Before you sell a generator, it needs to be decommissioned. This process involves disconnecting and removing a unit from service.
 
Industrial generator decommissioning requires an expert to inspect the electrical system and disconnect hundreds of wires, connections, and other components. Learn more about the other steps involved in the decommissioning process here.
 
Decommissioning is necessary because numerous commercial generator components are regulated by state and federal laws. These components must be disposed of in the right way to avoid fines and other penalties.
 
Decommissioning also ensures that the withdrawal process is safe and does not compromise the main electrical connections of the facility or cause any harm to people and the environment.
 
If your company has an experienced electrician, technician, and a project manager on staff, you may decide to decommission the generator yourself. Or, the buyer you choose may be able to decommission it for you.
 
Data centers require special consideration during decommissioning since they’re used in highly regulated industries with sensitive information.

See our checklist for data center decommissioning to stay compliant.
 
Make a Removal Plan
 
Removal of industrial generators involves scheduling and hiring a crane service to relocate them from your site onto transportation. A team will have special equipment available like forklifts, trucks, chain hoists, overhead cranes, and other equipment to handle the project.
 
Indoor generators might require extra attention since they may need to be disassembled partially to move them to a loading area.
 
Also consider shipping loads. There may be certain ways to pack a generator and the components for shipping. You must also adhere to shipping regulations, which differ for each state.
 
If you have the capacity, then you can do all these steps yourself. Or the buyer (depending on who you choose) could provide removal and freight services, making it easier for you. That way, you can avoid costly freight charges or equipment rentals for transport.

 Your timeline can have a huge influence on planning a removal. Hiring a third party might be faster than handling the generator decommissioning yourself.

Sell Your Used Industrial Generator
 
If you’re looking for a reputable company to buy your used industrial generator, we can help. Generator Source purchases used commercial generators and can manage decommissioning and removal too. Check out our prior decommissioning and removal case studies from over 40+ years of experience.
 
If you have an industrial generator to sell soon, submit your info and get top dollar fast from Generator Source.
 
Story Summary
 
Why would someone sell an industrial generator?
Common reasons include closing a business, ending a contract, upgrading to a new generator, or recovering equity to reinvest.
 
What information do I need to provide when selling a generator?
Key details include manufacturer name, model number, age, run hours, fuel type, size in kilowatts, service history, and usage details.
 
How important are photos when selling a generator?
Photos are crucial. They provide visual confirmation of the generator's condition and help buyers make decisions quickly.
 
Do I need to decommission the generator before selling it?
Yes, decommissioning is necessary to safely withdraw the generator from service and comply with regulations. This may require expert assistance.
 
Can the buyer handle decommissioning and removal?
Some reputable buyers offer decommissioning, removal, and shipping services, which can be more convenient for the seller. Generator Source can manage the decom project and arrange transportation.
 
What should I consider when planning for generator removal?
Consider scheduling crane services, potential disassembly for indoor units, shipping regulations, and your timeline for vacating a location.