Many Toronto homeowners will have replacement doors and windows fitted this year, with the aim of improving the appearance of their properties, but not all of them will be happy with the results they achieve. Disagreements with contractors are one of the major sources of disappointment, which is why it is crucial to have a well-written contract in place before work commences on your home. If you are not sure what terms and conditions should be included in your contract, the suggestions we have included in the guide below are an excellent place to start. If you would like to hire a contractor who always ensures their customers get what they want, please do not hesitate to call us and request a competitive, no-obligation quotation: we have helped many local homeowners to transform their properties without spending an absolute fortune in the process.
Ensuring the Installation of Your New Windows and Doors Goes Smoothly
The easiest way to make sure that you are not disappointed with the work carried out on your property by the contractor you hire is to sit down and write a custom installation contract together. When doing so, be sure to cover the following 5 important points:
- Start Date – The date your replacement windows and doors are fixed should be stipulated in the installation contract to ensure that there are no misunderstandings. Whilst a good contractor will minimize any disruption that the installation process causes to you and your family, you will almost certainly need to be present when the work is carried out so it is important to know exactly when this will be.
- Scope of Work – Both you and your contractor should be in complete agreement regarding the scope of work that is to be carried out. The best way to ensure this is the case is to specify all the relevant details in your installation contract: which windows are being replaced, how many doors are included in the price you have been quoted, whether any remedial repair work will be required, etcetera.
- Completion Date – Just as important as the date the work is expected to commence, the anticipated completion date should always be included in the installation contracts for replacement windows and doors that Toronto homeowners draw up with their chosen contractors. This will often be the same as the start date but larger jobs may take more than a day to complete so it should be stipulated to avoid any possible confusion.
- Penalty Clauses – In the event that your contractor is unable to comply with the terms and conditions laid out in your agreement, it should be clear what penalty they must pay to compensate you for any inconvenience their incompetence may cause. In the majority of cases, penalties consist of fines that are deducted from the total cost of the installation work for your new windows and doors but you may choose any form of penalty that both you and your contractor feel is fair.
- Insurance Cover – The financial consequences of hiring a contractor with inadequate insurance could be catastrophic, which is why it is vital to ask your installation company to specify the extent of their cover in any contract you draw up together. Comprehensive liability insurance is something that all reputable contractors will have.
For more advice on what to include in your contract or to make an appointment for a member of our team to visit your home and prepare a detailed quotation for your evaluation, call or email us at any time. We supply and install top-quality replacement windows and doors across the GTA.
