Like many of you who are reading this review, you are starting down a path of major home renovations and/or possibly being in the Canada Greener Homes Loan/Grant program. You are considering windows as part of your renovation project.
Like you I had many questions and concerns. You are probably communicating with a number of the various Window companies as I did. You are doing online searches with Google and Better Business Bureau. I contacted a number of the companies that I found through my research, and I met with many of them.
I will tell you through that experience that the best, most knowledgeable, patient, personable person who assisted us through the various options and scenarios was Andrew with Verdun Windows and Doors. Andrew took my wife and I, who were complete nervous rookies through the entire process, and assisted us through a seamless process.
We were on the one hand lucky that we were able to use the Canada Greener Homes Loan/Grant program. But because of the Loan/Grant program, we expanded the scale of our project to include 15 windows and 3 doors. Which was a major undertaking for us as we found the scale of the project a bit daunting.
One of the first questions those who were aware of what we were doing, and had similar projects in mind was was the decision to select Verdun just based on price. The easy answer is no. The more detailed answer is like you (or you are about too) after meeting with the various Window companies you have a number of quotes that are quite a wide range. That surprised us more than anything. Some examples. We had one sales person quote us the exact cost of the Green Energy program maximum loan limit $40,000 (that was a bit nuts). And another that was 1/2 the cost of the average of the rest of quotes. We had another that was double the average cost, and then that sales person came back and gave us an updated quote around the same as the middle of the pack. I can say that Andrew and Verdun were not the least or most expensive. But then again both of those quotes were questionable at best.
Other questions I have heard are about the questions asked by the sales people relating to the design and any technical questions. Of the over half dozen companies we received quotes from, only two of them Verdun being one of them, ran the weight and size of the windows to confirm casement windows with triple windows would be too heavy. The other companies just indicated they would build the window. None of them warned the windows might be too heavy for there size.
The only steady company and sales person of all of them was Andrew with Verdun. Andrew also had to put up with my madness of a bunch of questions regarding windows, type, style, construction etc etc and multitude of changes over time (that was us, not him). Andrew showed extreme patience and understanding. We chose casement vs double hung.
Ultimately we selected Andrew and Verdun, and that started the process of confirming measurements, final decisions, and down payments. And of course me again reading about horror stories of year long wait for windows, wrong order, defects etc etc. We received a call from Verdun about a month before we had originally anticipated the time it would take (we had asked Andrew if it was possible, he said it could happen). And Karolyn from Verdun coordinated a timeslot so she could book the crew. Because of the number of windows this was going to be a two day installation.
The crew (Richard, Gabriel and ? ) showed up on time, and with a large trailer box full of windows. Richard led the team and talked me through what the next two days would be like, and we did a walk of the house where he re-measured and identified the phases of the work. I had booked time to work from home, so while the team worked, I was on Teams meetings and doing work.
Richard and the crew were amazing professionals. They were conscientious of our neighbours (we have a small property with houses and laneways very close on both sides) and were worked at a good pace, but also with fine detail and double checking work, cleaning up, vacuuming and checking in with me. On the first day Richard and the crew had installed all 15 windows and would return the next day for the finish work. That work effort really impressed me as they were so detailed. They were all working very hard, were very considerate of the small work area and communicated with the neighbours when necessary.
Richard walked me and one of my sons through the various functionality of the windows, features and any questions regarding maintenance cleaning. We had no questions left and the crew did a final clean up and check of all the windows. I was extremely impressed and very satisfied. I could not say enough about the experience. The windows are amazing and have made an immediate impact of reduced noise, air flow, brightness and functionality. I would strongly recommend anyone interested in windows to contact Andrew and Verdun. They really made what I thought was going to be a stressful experience a very easy one.
We have three doors coming next, I will pass along an update once the work is completed.
Cheers,
Sean
