I believe I have a marketable and patentable idea for which I need to start my research into the patent process. This is for a consumer product, not a process. I will need to build a prototype (are there outfits that specialize in helping out with this?). Anyone here gone through this before? If so, could you share any tips? I'm having a hard time deciding just where to start. I'm sure I will go through a patent attorney etc...

Thanks