A Top HVAC Marketing Agency Tip: Partner with Home Builders
- Stormy Swain
- Feb 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 15

If you have an HVAC company that wants a regular flow of work and big-ticket contracts, focusing on having good relationships with builders is important. Home builders require well-functioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and are a sound source of repeat business. By focusing on localized SEO and becoming the local builders' first-choice HVAC supplier as part of your HVAC company marketing plan, your company can generate regular income, reduce reliance on daily grind repair business, and promote its profile within the local marketplace.
Why Home Builders Need Reliable HVAC Contractors
Home builders manage multiple properties at once, from single-family homes to large developments. Each project requires a properly installed HVAC system that is energy efficient, meets local building codes, and delivers long-term comfort to residents. Builders prefer to work with HVAC contractors who can do large-scale installations with quality and efficiency.
Contractors who can meet deadlines are also favored by builders. Construction schedules are, many times, short, and delayed HVAC installation brings other services, such as electrical, drywall, and plumbing, to a halt. An efficient HVAC firm that meets deadlines becomes a valued business partner to home builders, guaranteeing repeat business and long-term contracts.
For builders, having a solid HVAC contractor also reduces risk. Homebuyers buying new homes anticipate that their heating and cooling systems will work, and when something goes wrong after move-in, it can damage the reputation of the builder. Having a dependable HVAC partner ensures that equipment is installed correctly, reducing costly callbacks and warranty claims.
How to Approach Home Builders for HVAC Contracts
If your HVAC company wishes to work with home builders, there are many ways to take the initiative. Builders often have dealings with the same contractors for multiple projects, so a good relationship can translate into repeat business. Reaching out to local builders, attending industry networking sessions, and joining home builder associations provide opportunities to make connections.
Offering free consultations or estimates for future work is an excellent icebreaker. Builders frequently ask contractors for competitive bids, so they will be grateful to see open pricing, flexible scheduling, and an understanding of how construction schedules operate.
Contractors also prefer to be associated with HVAC companies that are up-to-date with energy-efficient technology. Builders' new clients are looking for high-efficiency systems, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient heating and cooling. Promoting your experience in these areas makes your company more desirable to builders who prefer to offer the newest technologies.
Another way that builders can be credentialed is by showing completed work. Showing a portfolio of products previously installed and recommendations from clients on other builders reinforces credibility and attests to the company's ability. Builders want to work with HVAC firms that affirm they have a history of good work.
How to Write a Long-Term Agreement with Home Builders
Once an HVAC company gets a contract with a builder, it should aim to turn the project into a long-term contract. Builders like predictability in subcontractors, and if a company is reliable, it can become a repeat client for more jobs.
Creating a service contract with priority scheduling, bulk pricing discounts, and warranty support can make your HVAC company the go-to choice for builders to install their equipment. Offering maintenance plans following installation can also generate further revenue streams and ensure systems remain efficient once homeowners occupy the dwelling.
Certain contractors may prefer to have one-stop-shop HVAC companies that provide different levels of service, including installation, maintenance, and emergency service. If you provide a complete package, the builder will not have to engage with many contractors, and your HVAC company will be the one-stop shop they want.
Providing builder-specific service guarantees can further solidify a relationship. Builders typically have close-out deadlines for homes, and an HVAC contractor that guarantees fast installation times or emergency service before a final walk-through is of huge value.
Providing Additional Value to Home Builders
To differentiate itself from other HVAC companies, your company may want to offer additional value to builders. Some of the practices for delivering added value include conducting energy efficiency audits for new home build, offering extended warranties on HVAC equipment, offering builder and real estate agent training in system maintenance and sales of energy-efficient benefits, delivering rapid turnaround times for HVAC system repairs or adjustments before home closings, and working with builders to design HVAC upgrade packages available to homebuying customers during construction. Another value-added approach is to offer flexible financing to builders who would prefer to offer HVAC upgrades as an option in their home packages. The majority of homebuyers will pay more for a higher-end HVAC system if they can finance it in their mortgage. Providing financing terms can boost the number of upgrades sold by the builder and the HVAC firm.
Increased Business Through Referrals by Builders
Contracting with home builders also presents the opportunity to gain leads through referrals. Builders often work with real estate agents, home inspectors, and developers regularly, all of whom will have an HVAC need.
Providing builder referral incentives for referring your company to other professionals allows for a better chance of attaining more jobs. Builders tend to be networked in their industry, and a reputable HVAC contractor can reap a lot of exposure through referrals from builders.
HVAC companies may also leverage builder relationships to promote seasonal maintenance services. Homebuyers typically forget about HVAC maintenance after they occupy the home, leading to costly breakdowns. Building a partnership with builders to offer a first-year maintenance package as part of the home sale builds long-term customer connections while maintaining systems in good condition.
Why Partnering with Home Builders is a Smart Growth Strategy for HVAC Companies
Establishing relationships with home builders creates a stable source of high-dollar projects, reducing the need to search for new clients constantly. Compared to single-service calls, new construction projects provide consistent revenue and long-term business partnerships with industry professionals.
By delivering quality work, maintaining a routine, and giving extra value, an HVAC company can be the favored supplier of a few local home builders. This is not just a revenue increase but also establishes your company's reputation within the local market, which helps with sustained business development.
In addition to obtaining installation work, working with home builders opens the door for HVAC companies to expand into ancillary services like warranty repair, upgrade packages, and regular maintenance. Builders value long-term relationships, and a company that positions itself as a go-to source can generate a stable pipeline of work for the next couple of years.
HVAC companies that foster strong relationships with builders are rewarded with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Instead of competing on price for isolated service calls, you can plant the seeds of stable revenue, expanded business, and a great industry reputation. By focusing on long-term partnerships versus short-term selling, your HVAC company can secure steady business and become the home builder's first choice in its geographic territory.
Don't forget that most local builders and homeowners will search for your HVAC services online, so starting a monthly localized SEO marketing package with our HVAC marketing agency will greatly help you be visible on search engines!