Reaping the Benefits of Local End-to-End Window and Door Support
Why this luxury home builder switched to APBS
A rendering of an upcoming project in Stone Canyon featuring all-aluminum Heritage products by Andersen®
One Oak, a luxury custom division of Fairfield Homes, was established to serve homeowners in southern Arizona. With its portfolio of pre-designed custom homes and experience building on unique homesites in the surrounding desert environment, One Oak is dedicated to providing customers with high-end architectural solutions and products—including windows and doors.
Jim Peterson, vice president of construction for One Oak, previously worked with another local certified dealer to use Andersen® window and door products in a high-end community and enjoyed the experience so much that when he came to One Oak for his current stint, he accepted a meeting to discuss bringing Andersen® products and services to new projects there.
A rendering of the exterior of the Stone Canyon home
Why This Builder Switched to APBS
“I’d pretty much rubbed elbows with almost all the window vendor companies,” Peterson says of his extensive experience in the local construction industry. After returning to One Oak as VP of construction, Peterson's contact from Andersen Professional Building Services (APBS) reached out to set up a meeting with him in fall 2022.
When Peterson met with APBS, he worked with sales representative Clinton Shearer to work up some estimates. The numbers looked good, but for Peterson, there was more to the equation.
“The switch to APBS was initiated based on past relationships, and then we looked at pricing—but the key was really Andersen’s professional services. It’s like a one-stop shop,” he says, noting that the end-to-end support provided by APBS is what really sold him.
That contractor-vendor relationship is of utmost importance to Peterson. “That makes me feel as though I’m going direct to the source,” he says. “It’s easier for us to budget costs for windows and doors, and then there’s the professionalism that comes from the backing of Andersen Windows as a corporation.”
Since the initial meeting with APBS and Shearer, Peterson has worked with him on about 15 high-end homes. “We had our first install recently and we have several more coming,” he says. In fact, Peterson is so satisfied with his relationship that he’s recommended ABPS to other builders. “In the past, we’ve used three or four prominent architects in the Tucson market, and by now they’re all aware of Andersen’s products,” he adds. “And I’ve introduced Clinton to a couple other custom home builders.”
“I have a good working relationship with the One Oak team and over time I have developed a personal relationship with them as well,” says Shearer. “I look forward to continuing to help them grow as a builder.”
How APBS is Supporting a Luxury Private Club Community
The project that One Oak is now working on is called Stone Canyon, one of the highest-end communities for luxury homes that Arizona has to offer, according to Peterson. Located in Oro Valley, the private club community features a golf course, state-of-the-art fitness center, clubhouse and more.
There, Peterson is working with a staff of superintendents, purchasing and administrative people, as well as an interior designer. He explains that the purchasing department sends Shearer the plans, and then the two go over them together. “We spend a lot of time reviewing the specs, redlining and altering things for the best fit. Our interior designer also has conversations with him about different configurations—what we can and can’t do,” he says. “We usually see Clinton once a week in person, which is a plus.”
Shearer adds, “With a client the size of One Oak and the amount of projects I have with them, I travel to their office every Wednesday. I feel it helps the client know how important they are to APBS.”
The consistent communication and interaction is important because of the details involved in selecting and installing Andersen® windows and big sliding glass doors, both of which are key features in luxury homes that boast impressive views of the high Sonoran desert.
The Power of the Andersen Brand Name
While APBS is making a name for itself in the Phoenix-metro area, it sure doesn’t hurt to have the backing of the corporate Andersen brand name. “Most of our buyers are not from the [U.S.] Southwest,” explains Peterson. “They come from all parts of the country, and the name recognition of Andersen is a real benefit. It speaks for itself, brings us credibility. And everybody at APBS has been very hands-on and supportive. We’re looking forward to a long relationship.”
