I primarily looked at Generac home generators. It had the best reputation for reliability and durability, and they have been in business for over 50 years.

Generac Home Generators | Backup power for your home | Generac Power Systems

The specifications and info about the generators themselves are on that website.

You would have to contact them directly for an estimate because a licensed electrician, who does the estimate, determines based on your needs of what all you want to have on it and how many amps of power you need to determine which model of generator is recommended. I went to a local home show to talk to them initially, if you have one I would recommend it because they have specials at them.

*It runs on propane: the generator cannot be within 5 feet of an opening or door or window of the house, and has to be at least 10 feet away from the propane tanks.
*All the generators come on in a pre-programmed amount of time 15 seconds -1500 depending on how soon you want it to come on which was a nice feature for those short term black outs if you don't want it coming on immediately or for the winter, ASAP.
*As mentioned in a previous post, surge protector and transfer panel/switch are necessary and included in estimate, if not ask.
*They will usually include in their estimates the materials & installation of a pad for it: colder climates that will be crushed stone, and warmer climates that will be concrete.
* Service maintenance runs about $150-$175 a year.

We considered 2 options of generator basic needs and whole house:

1. Basic needs for us: well pump, septic pump, heat, fridge and freezer, microwave, some lights on the first floor and few on second floor, plus a couple of electrical outlets in the house but not garage. We could use a 11 kw generator. Some can do a whole house for 11 kw just depends on the house.

2. Whole house for us: included all of the above plus stove, w/d, and lights and outlets on 3 floors: 16 kw. However, If running A/C I was told a minimum of a 16 kw or higher is needed.

* I made sure the outfit was insured and all the electricians working on it were licensed with a master electrician.

I will give you our estimate but it was more expensive because we added two propane tanks (only one was recommended but because we are so hard to get to in the winter, I added an extra one), run 45 feet of gas line (normally you don't have to go so far) and dig the trench for the gas line which was extra: 11 kw-$5400 and 16 kw- $6000. It was not broken down so I don't know what it would be separated out. I'm sorry about that.

If you have other questions, just let me know, will see if I can answer.