Here’s a question many people forget to ask. When you order new windows and doors, who shows up to install them? Many companies say they use their own installers, but what they mean is that they use subcontractors they have worked with before, not actual employees of the company.
Why the Installer Matters as Much as the Window or Door
Even the most energy efficient windows and doors won’t perform properly if they are not installed correctly, and they can break down to the point where they need to be replaced again. Many homeowners are replacing brand new windows that have only been installed in the last 5 to 15 years because of poor quality installation, sometimes for the second or third time. Quite often, repairs and replacements occur at the homeowner’s expense because the manufacturer blames the defect on the way the window or door was installed. The installer, of course, blames it on the product, and the customer is left in the middle.
Problems such as seal failures, drafts, leaks, heat loss, and difficult operation can easily be mistaken for product issues when the real culprit may be the installation. Subcontractors often have to pay for and use their own installation materials, so they tend to choose cheaper, lower quality alternatives when doing so. It is also difficult to set an installation standard, let alone train and enforce it, when the installers are not employees. As a result, most subcontractors are not up to date on the newest technology or techniques. There is also less accountability, because they often work for several other companies at the same time. Since they are normally classified as self-employed, they quite often do not carry, or are ineligible for WSIB coverage. This leaves the homeowner at significant financial risk if anyone is hurt during the installation, and many people are not aware that most home insurance policies do not cover such incidents.
We Do Not Hire Subcontractors
The team that installs your windows and doors works for Centennial. We do not hire subcontractors. The installer completing your installation was trained by us, answers to us, and works for the same company that made your windows and doors in our London, Ontario facility.
This choice makes a big difference. One company is responsible from the first measurement to the final walkthrough, and you have one number to call if you need assistance later. “The buck”, as they say, stops with us, because we are in control of the whole process.
What the No Subcontractor Model Actually Protects You On
- Trained installers. Our technicians learn using our own products, in house. They know how every window and door should fit and finish.
- WSIB coverage. Every Centennial employee is fully covered by WSIB. If someone gets hurt at your home during the job, you won’t have to worry about it.
- Liability insurance. We carry at least $5 million in liability insurance on our job sites, which means your property is protected if something goes wrong.
- One point of contact. Sales, manufacturing, installation, and later service. One company, one phone number.
That last point may seem small, but it is what homeowners appreciate most. Knowing the same name is behind every step takes a lot of stress away.
What a Centennial Installation Day Looks Like
Installation by our trained installers is included in the price of every replacement window and door, so the labour is not an unexpected cost. Our installers finish each window and door with fully painted interior trim, which means you won’t need to patch or paint anything after we leave. They clean the windows and doors they install, dispose of all the debris, explain how everything works, and hand over the warranty and product certification paperwork before they leave.
You typically get this level of finish when the crew works for the company whose name is on the warranty.
The Warranty Only Works if One Company Stands Behind It
A warranty is a promise, and its value is tied to the reliability of the company backing it. Our ‘No Fine Print Warranty’ covers the product and the installation for as long as you own your home, with no pro-rated terms. We build, install, and service everything ourselves, so there are no gaps in that warranty. If you need service later, you call us, and one of our people comes out to help. Honouring that warranty is ‘The Centennial Difference’.
This is also why we can support it the way we do. With 45 years of experience and over 500,000 installations across Ontario, we have had plenty of time to perfect the process, and we remain the only ones responsible for it.
Ask Before You Sign
So before choosing any window and door company, ask one key question. Who installs this, and do they work for you? The answer will tell you whether you are hiring one company that oversees the whole job or a series of strangers who might never meet again.
With us, it is straightforward. Our own people handle everything from start to finish, backed by a warranty with no fine print. If you want to see what that looks like for your home, book an in-home consultation today.