Compare Local Pros
3rdGen Heating & Cooling vs Fazule And Sons Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an HVAC specialist with 4 years experience to a plumbing veteran with 24 years - choose based on whether you need heating/cooling or plumbing work.
| 3rdGen Heating & Cooling | Fazule And Sons Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 24 years |
| License # | 1086898 | 798031 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | 3rdgen.io | www.fazuleandsonsplumbingca.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
3rdGen Heating & Cooling
Customers consistently highlight 3rdGen's same-day scheduling flexibility, direct owner communication throughout projects, and meticulous installation work with attention to worksite cleanliness.
Fazule And Sons Plumbing
Customers emphasize Fazule's quick response times, punctual service, and honest recommendations without pushing unnecessary work, with many reporting repeat use over multiple years.
Key Takeaway: 3rdGen's feedback centers on owner-involved project communication and installation quality, while Fazule's reviews emphasize straightforward honesty and repeat customer relationships built over years of service.
Customer Reviews
3rdGen Heating & Cooling
Love 3rd Gen, Devin and the team! They are knowledgeable, professional, kind, and generous. Highly recommend working with them!
I am so glad that I found 3rd Gen Heating & Cooling. The team is smaller so it felt so much more intentional and trustworthy. They pay such great attention to detail, in which they were able to meet m...
I got my HVAC system installed by 3rd gen in 2022, this week the heater stopped working . I gave them a call and Devin and Ceaser visited today to fix the issue. They were at the house right at the ap...
Fazule And Sons Plumbing
We had these guys come out to install an automatic gas shutoff valve and they did a really good job. Checkers & Zachary showed up on time, walked us through the process of what they were going to do, ...
A+ highly recommend. Honest, trustworthy, reliable. Made life easy and did quality work.
Very knowledgeable and won't try and sell you on things you don't need. Would highly recommend!
Consider 3rdGen Heating & Cooling if...
- ✓ You need HVAC work - furnace repair, AC installation, heat pump systems, or mini-split installations that fall outside Fazule's plumbing scope
- ✓ You're installing modern heating/cooling technology like Mitsubishi mini-splits or heat pumps where 3rdGen has developed specific expertise
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement throughout the project and appreciate educational explanations about your system
- ✓ You need same-day or next-day service and 3rdGen's schedule has immediate availability for your HVAC issue
Consider Fazule And Sons Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need plumbing work - water heater replacement, gas line modifications, leak repairs, or automatic shutoff valve installations
- ✓ Your home is older with potential hidden plumbing complications where Fazule's 24 years of experience diagnosing Oakland housing stock becomes valuable
- ✓ You want a contractor who has seen virtually every residential plumbing scenario over two decades and has developed judgment for handling surprises
- ✓ You prioritize long-term track record and the stability that comes with a company that's maintained quality service for nearly a quarter century
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For 3rdGen: Ask for references from HVAC projects involving older homes or complex installations to understand how they handle unexpected complications given their shorter operational history
- → For Fazule: If considering them for gas line work, ask about their specific experience with your home's age and configuration, as gas work requires particular precision
- → For both: Confirm current availability and typical project timelines, as both companies show responsiveness but actual scheduling will depend on current workload
The Bottom Line
Your decision should start with identifying your project type. If you need HVAC work, contact 3rdGen - they're your only option here and deliver responsive service with particular strength in modern heat pump and mini-split installations. If you need plumbing work, contact Fazule - they bring 24 years of diagnostic experience that matters when dealing with Oakland's aging housing stock and complex residential plumbing. Both companies maintain proper licensing and insurance, show strong customer feedback about responsiveness and honesty, and demonstrate high owner involvement. The experience gap favors Fazule for handling complications, but 3rdGen's 4 years still represents established capability within their HVAC specialty.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For truly routine work - a standard water heater swap or a basic AC replacement in accessible locations - the experience difference matters less. However, few home projects stay completely routine. Older homes often reveal unexpected issues mid-project, and that's where Fazule's two decades of problem-solving experience provides an advantage. 3rdGen's 4 years is still meaningful experience, but they haven't encountered the same breadth of unusual situations.
No. These companies work in different trades with different licensing. 3rdGen's HVAC contractor license covers heating and cooling systems, not plumbing. Fazule's plumbing license covers water systems and gas lines, not furnaces or air conditioners. You must choose based on whether your project is HVAC or plumbing work.
HVAC contractors like 3rdGen work with gas lines as they connect to furnaces and heating equipment. Plumbers like Fazule handle gas lines as part of the overall gas piping system, including shutoff valves and supply lines to water heaters. If your project involves gas connections to heating/cooling equipment, contact 3rdGen. For gas line modifications, capping, or connections to water heaters, contact Fazule.
Both companies receive feedback about quick response times and scheduling flexibility. 3rdGen specifically mentions same-day and next-day appointment availability for HVAC emergencies. Fazule's reviews highlight prompt communication and minimal wait periods for plumbing needs. Your best option depends on which trade you need urgently, but both appear capable of responding quickly when their schedules allow.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Alameda.
Other Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparisons
How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 07, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.