Chas Roberts and Sonoran Air - duopoly among builders? (Phoenix: sales, renting)

[Pink Jazz]

Based on my experiences, there are two HVAC contractors that seem to dominate with Phoenix area builders - Chas Roberts and Sonoran Air. Most tract homes from builders I have seen have HVAC systems installed from one of these two companies (as labeled on the thermostat).

So, why is there such a duopoly among builders for HVAC contractors? I'm a bit surprised George Brazil doesn't have many contracts with builders, considering that they are always advertising with that catchy jingle on TV.

[observer53]

Assuming that what you say is true, I'd suggest that those companies have most likely intentionally focused on selling to builders, with aggressive marketing, good prices, etc. not to say they don't also work with individual homeowners.

It seems that companies like Brazil, and others like it, focus on sales and service to individual homeowners. Home builders aren't impressed by radio jingles.

[Sandduner]

Home builders are concerned with volume pricing and ability to service the customer after the sale, I.e. warranty work
George Brazil is mainly focused on homeowners after their warranty is up, or emergency calls.
Both Chas and Sonoran provide after warranty work and homeowner upgrades also.
To do the volume with the builders, you need a pretty big, well oiled machine.

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Based on my experiences, there are two HVAC contractors that seem to dominate with Phoenix area builders - Chas Roberts and Sonoran Air. Most tract homes from builders I have seen have HVAC systems installed from one of these two companies (as labeled on the thermostat).

So, why is there such a duopoly among builders for HVAC contractors? I'm a bit surprised George Brazil doesn't have many contracts with builders, considering that they are always advertising with that catchy jingle on TV.

Little hypothetical for you: builder is banging out 10 houses in a section of a larger development this month. For the sake of argument, each costs $5k. That's a lot of up front money for a smaller player to risk.

[Finger Laker]

also if you are working on a large development you typically would have to need certain bonding capacity and some special insurance requirements .... someone who works on tract developments in AZ is going to pay substantially more in their GL rates than someone who is a commercial contractor doing the same work and still considerably more than someone doing the same trade on a service work & non-tract new basis

our construction defect environment is one of the worst in the nation

there is a lot that goes to it

i know that Chas does a lot that isn't tract, but they certaintly do have the capacity for that work

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Burning Madolf

Little hypothetical for you: builder is banging out 10 houses in a section of a larger development this month. For the sake of argument, each costs $5k. That's a lot of up front money for a smaller player to risk.

George Brazil isn't exactly small, however, I can see everyone's point that they are mainly focused on working with and selling directly to the homeowner, while Chas Roberts and Sonoran Air intentionally focus on selling to builders and likely gives them really good deals on their systems.

[AlohaAZ]

Sonoran Air did the install on our new-build home about six weeks ago. They typically install Goodman units, seems to be the norm for most tract homes. I've talked with several other people who have built houses over the last year or two. Seventy five percent of them had Sonoran Air as their company. We haven't moved in yet, so I can't speak to the quality of the unit or their service.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by AlohaAZ

Sonoran Air did the install on our new-build home about six weeks ago. They typically install Goodman units, seems to be the norm for most tract homes. I've talked with several other people who have built houses over the last year or two. Seventy five percent of them had Sonoran Air as their company. We haven't moved in yet, so I can't speak to the quality of the unit or their service.

We have friends that had a house built in Stratland Estates in Gilbert (can't mention the builder) who had a Lennox system installed by Sonoran Air, while the house we are renting out at Palisades at Country Place in Tolleson has a Goodman heat pump system installed by Chas Roberts. Our current house, as well as the new house we are buying, have Carrier systems installed by Chas Roberts, however, we decided to go with the 16 SEER upgrade for the new house (which actually changes the furnace to a Performance Boost furnace that increases the SEER rating of the AC units to their maximum SEER of 16). However, I am not surprised that many builders use Goodman since they are typically less expensive than brands such as Carrier, Trane, or Lennox.

[Sandduner]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

George Brazil isn't exactly small, however, I can see everyone's point that they are mainly focused on working with and selling directly to the homeowner, while Chas Roberts and Sonoran Air intentionally focus on selling to builders and likely gives them really good deals on their systems.

Compared to Chas, both Sonoran and Brazil are small. In terms of number of employees, starts per month and ability to cover work.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Sandduner

Compared to Chas, both Sonoran and Brazil are small. In terms of number of employees, starts per month and ability to cover work.

Of course, Sonoran is the area's main Lennox dealer, which Chas Roberts no longer carries; the brands currently carried by Chas Roberts include Carrier, Trane, York, Ruud, Goodman, and Amana (which is actually made by Goodman). As for George Brazil, I think they only carry York, although I could be wrong.

Interestingly, Sonoran's website doesn't list Goodman as one of the brands they carry, they only list Lennox and Trane. Perhaps they only offer Goodman to the builders.