Resources & Education · Pillar Guide

The brands we install — and why.

Generac, Kohler, Tesla, ChargePoint, Lutron, Square D, Eaton, Leviton — what we install most often, factory-certified relationships we maintain, and how warranty support works.

Written bySteven Lockhart

Reviewed byAlex Towery · C-10 #989290

Updated: June 2026 · Read: 7 min

11 yrsMarin electrical work

C-10CSLB licensed contractor

1st passInspection rate

48 hrTypical estimate turnaround

Key Takeaways

We maintain factory-certified or factory-authorized installer status with Generac, Kohler, Lutron (Caseta and RA3), and Tesla — meaning faster warranty support and direct manufacturer escalation when needed.
Factory-certified install means warranties are registered correctly at the time of install, manufacturers have our crew on file, and parts ordering bypasses retail channels.
For homeowners who prefer brands we don't carry as a primary, we install homeowner-supplied equipment with a separated warranty structure — our labor warranty covers install workmanship, the manufacturer handles product warranty.
Our brand selection isn't pay-to-play; we install what we install because of field experience with durability, parts availability, and US technical support.
When we recommend specific brands on a quote, we explain the reasoning — homeowners are free to specify alternatives and we'll quote either path.

01 — OverviewWhat Brands We Install actually covers in Marin.

Brand decisions on electrical projects matter more than most homeowners realize. The product going on the wall today will be there for 10-30+ years; the brand decision dictates parts availability, warranty navigation, and likelihood that the product is still functional at year 15. We've narrowed our default install list to brands that have demonstrated long-term reliability in Marin conditions — not paid recommendations, just what we've seen work.

Factory-certified or factory-authorized status with the major brands accelerates warranty support when needed. Manufacturers prioritize their certified installer network for parts requests, technical support escalations, and warranty claims. For homeowners, the practical implication is faster resolution when something requires manufacturer attention 3-5 years downstream.

Definition

A factory-certified installer is a contractor who has completed manufacturer-specific training, maintains current certification credentials, and is registered with the manufacturer for warranty and technical support purposes — distinct from contractors who install a brand without formal certification.

What factory certification means in practice

Faster warranty registration at install, direct technical support phone lines, parts ordering through manufacturer-direct channels (bypassing retail), and priority handling on escalated warranty claims. For homeowners, this translates to faster resolution if a product needs manufacturer attention years after install.

How we handle non-default brands

Homeowners with strong brand preferences can specify alternatives — we'll quote and install. The warranty structure separates: our labor warranty covers install workmanship; the manufacturer covers product warranty. We document the split explicitly on the estimate so accountability is clear upfront.

For the broader context this guide supports, see our Resources & Education overview.

Explore the Full Guide

Brand guides by product category. Each category lists our default install brands with the reasoning, plus how warranty support works.

Three guides to read first

Most-Installed

Generac and Kohler Generator Brand Guide

Why we install these two brands across Marin, what factory-certified installer status means, and warranty navigation.

Explore the guide →

Cornerstone

Tesla Wall Connector Installer Marin

Tesla Wall Connector installs, including the Tesla-direct install program, warranty registration, and the universal connector option.

Explore → Foundation

Lutron Caseta and RadioRA 3 Installer

Lutron-certified install for both Caseta (typical home) and RadioRA 3 (estate). What certification means for warranty and support.

Explore →

Browse the Full Library

Backup power

EV charging

Lighting & smart home

Panels & infrastructure

02Our default install brands by category.

Brands we install most often, with our factory status and the reasoning for the default.

Category	Default brands	Our status	Why these brands
Standby generators	Generac, Kohler	Factory-certified	Strongest US support; best Marin parts availability
EV chargers	Tesla, ChargePoint, Wallbox	Tesla-direct authorized	Long-term parts, app ecosystem, durability
Lighting control	Lutron Caseta, RadioRA 3	Lutron-certified	Local control, no cloud dependency, deep ecosystem
Panels	Square D QO, Eaton CH	Authorized dealer	Best breaker availability, 25+ year track record
Surge protection	Eaton CHSPT2, Square D HEPD80	Authorized	UL 1449 listing, 5-year warranty
Smart switches (non-Lutron)	Leviton Decora Smart	Authorized	Best non-Lutron smart switch ecosystem

03What our factory-certified status changes for homeowners.

When we install a Generac generator, Lutron Caseta system, or Tesla Wall Connector, our factory certification provides several practical benefits to the homeowner. Warranty registration is automatic at install — the manufacturer has the install date, the homeowner's contact information, and our crew on file. Technical support escalation goes through dedicated installer-network channels rather than the general consumer support queue. Parts orders happen through manufacturer-direct distribution rather than retail channels — meaning faster turnaround when a part is needed.

Most homeowners don't think about this at install. They notice the difference 18-36 months later when something needs manufacturer attention. The certified-installer network gets prioritized resolution; the random-contractor channel often takes weeks longer for equivalent issues. The difference becomes visible at exactly the moment the homeowner most wants fast resolution.

04How we handle homeowner-supplied equipment.

Homeowners sometimes prefer specific brands or supply their own equipment. We install supplied equipment with a separated warranty structure.

Our labor warranty (12 months default)

Covers install workmanship — terminations, mounting, code compliance, GFCI/AFCI integration. We back our install regardless of what equipment we installed.

Manufacturer warranty (varies by product)

The homeowner's relationship to navigate. We'll register the product on the manufacturer's homeowner-direct portal where applicable and provide installation documentation for warranty claims.

What this changes practically

For homeowner-supplied equipment, if a product issue arises post-install, the homeowner contacts the manufacturer directly. We're not the warranty escalation channel; the manufacturer is. We document the split clearly on the estimate.

05Brands we won't install — and why.

Some products we actively decline to install on quality grounds. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels are documented hazards and we won't install or extend systems built around them. For generators, several lower-tier brands have shown parts-availability issues 3-5 years post-install — we discuss specifics on the quote call rather than naming publicly, but we'll explain why we'd recommend an alternative.

For EV chargers and surge protection, we decline to install no-name imports and products without verifiable UL listing. The savings on the unit don't justify the risk of installation work that may need to be redone if the product fails or is recalled. For lighting control, we install most major platforms (Lutron, Crestron, Control4, Savant) but we're not certified on every minor brand — when an obscure platform is specified, we explain whether we have the expertise to commission correctly or whether the work should go to a specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own generator or EV charger?

Yes, with the warranty caveat. We install homeowner-supplied equipment regularly — Tesla Wall Connector units from Tesla service centers, ChargePoint chargers from retail, generators purchased through alternative channels. Our labor warranty covers install workmanship; the manufacturer warranty is the homeowner's relationship to navigate. We document the split on the estimate so accountability is explicit. For most homeowners, this works fine; for major capital items (generators particularly), there's value in having one accountable party for both product and install, which is what our factory-certified package provides.

Why do you install Generac instead of [other brand]?

Three reasons in priority order. First, parts availability in Marin — Generac has the strongest local parts network of any residential generator brand, meaning faster service response when needed. Second, US-based technical support quality — Generac's installer-network support is genuinely helpful, not script-bound. Third, durability in Marin conditions — we've installed Generac units across multiple PSPS seasons and atmospheric-river events, and the failure rate at the 5-7 year mark is materially lower than competitor brands we've also installed historically. Kohler is our other default for estate-class installs with similar reasoning.

Are you a Tesla-authorized installer?

Yes — we're in the Tesla certified installer network for Wall Connector installs. Tesla maintains a directory of certified installers and we're listed for the Marin/Sonoma corridor. Certification means we've completed Tesla's installer training, we register installs on the Tesla portal, and we have direct technical support access through Tesla's installer channels. For homeowners using Tesla's installer-finder tool, we appear in their Marin search results. We install Wall Connector for Tesla-primary households and ChargePoint or Wallbox for universal/multi-vehicle households where the homeowner prefers a non-Tesla unit.

What's the difference between Lutron Caseta and RadioRA 3?

Caseta is Lutron's residential platform for typical single-family homes — wireless, retrofit-friendly, supports up to 50 devices, app-controllable via Lutron Smart Bridge, 12+ year manufacturer track record. RadioRA 3 is Lutron's premium platform for larger homes — wired keypads (also wireless devices), deeper customization, scene-based control, scales to 200+ devices, integrates with shades and AV. For homes with under 30 control points, Caseta is usually the right answer. For estates with 50+ control points or strong design ambitions, RadioRA 3. We're certified on both platforms — the choice is design-driven, not capability-limited.

What happens if a manufacturer goes out of business?

It happens occasionally — some smart-home and EV-charging brands have launched and folded in the past decade. Our default-install brands (Generac, Kohler, Lutron, Square D, Eaton, Tesla) are all established companies with 30+ year operating histories; the risk profile is low. For products where the manufacturer fails post-install, we work with homeowners on remediation — usually involving a replacement with an equivalent product. This is one of the unstated benefits of choosing established brands at install: the parts/support continuity is unlikely to depend on the manufacturer's continued existence.

Do you get manufacturer kickbacks for installing specific brands?

No. Our brand recommendations aren't paid placements. We negotiate volume pricing with our primary suppliers (which is normal contractor practice) and we factor that pricing into homeowner quotes, but there are no per-install kickbacks or referral fees from manufacturers. The brand choices reflect what we've seen work in Marin conditions over the past decade. Our long-term reputation depends on the products we install lasting; that's a strong incentive to recommend honestly.

How We Reviewed This Page

Reviewed against current California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3) and 2023 NFPA 70 (NEC) provisions applicable to the topic.
Pricing ranges reflect actual 2026 Towery Electric quote data from Marin County jobs — not third-party industry averages.
Permit and inspection timing reflects current AHJ practice in Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, and unincorporated Marin County as of mid-2026.
Technical review by Alex Towery, founder and C-10 #989290 holder, with 11+ years of California electrical work.
All factual claims about code requirements were verified against primary sources (CSLB, CARB, PG&E, AHJ) at time of publication.

References

This guide reflects Towery Electric's professional standards as a California-licensed C-10 electrical contractor and is for general information. Site conditions, panel configurations, code amendments, and permit-authority requirements vary; final scoping, sizing, and code compliance for your specific address are determined on a paid site assessment. We follow California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3) and applicable NFPA 70 (NEC) editions adopted by your AHJ.