Answers

Generac, Kohler and Briggs Stratton control about 90% of the residential standby generator market in the US.  All three are established manufacturers with broad and reliable product lines.  A more important consideration might be standby generator control systems - modern CPU-based controls make it possible to serve more loads with less capacity than older on-off only controls.  

Getting to the best match for each individual situation requires sales technicians who stay current on changing generator and control product lines as well as basic residential wiring.  

Here are some questions you should hear from your sales person:

1. Do you require your heating system to operate during power loss?
2. Do you require your air conditioning system to operate during power loss?
3. Do you require your domestic water heating system to operate during power loss?
4. Does your house depend on a private water supply system?
5. Does your house depend on a private sewage disposal system?
6. Is natural gas available to your property?  Do you have LP gas service in your area?
7. Do you have special standby electric power needs?
8. Based on a complete list of your standby electric power requirements, please arrange the loads in priority order.

Some states do not require registered design professionals to handle new single-family construction and renovation.  If your project is relatively straight-forward or does not require extensive creative design, you could consider a residential designer - AIBD would be one way to locate those design professionals, though many excellent residential designers are not affiliated with a national trade association.

One you've determined that an architect is the right fit, begin with AIA.  Many of the state American Institute of Architects affiliates list their members by areas of expertise and experience.

Possible questions for designer candidate interviews:

1. Show us examples of recently-completed projects similar to ours and send us contact info for owners and builders.
2. Do you emphasize function or form in your work?
3. Walk us through the design process from concept to project completion for a project like ours, pointing out milestones along the way and including estimated time required from concept to a design that's ready for construction.
4. Tell us how you prefer to be compensated for your work.
5. How do you participate in the process of selecting a builder for the project?
6. Do your normal service offerings include Construction Administration (CA)?
7. Do you carry professional liability insurance?
8. When your opinion about a particular design feature difrers from the opinion of your client, how do you resolve the conflict?

Good luck with your project!