A complete window quote names the product series, each window's type, size, frame, glass package and ratings, the installation method, what happens to trim, capping, flashing and disposal, who measures, the schedule, the tax, and two separate warranties: the manufacturer's product warranty and the installer's workmanship warranty. Anything left unstated is something you may pay for later or not receive.
- Compare price per window only after confirming the quotes include the same things and use the same installation method.
- The planner's components list is a useful checklist: unit, installation, disposal, interior trim, exterior capping and flashing.
- Product warranties come from the manufacturer and are split into frame, glass seal, hardware and finish; installation warranties come from the installer.
- Ask whether labour is covered, whether coverage is pro-rated and whether it transfers to a buyer.
- The Window Quote Checker counts ten inclusions and turns each missing one into a question.
01 /What should a window replacement quote include?
A window replacement quote should describe the product, the work and the terms clearly enough that a different company could price the same job. If you cannot tell from the quote exactly what window is going into each opening and how, it is not a complete quote.
| Section | What it should state |
|---|---|
| Product | Manufacturer and product series; type, operation and size of each window; frame material and colours inside and out |
| Glass | Double or triple; low-e coatings; gas fill; spacer type; tempered, laminated or obscure panes |
| Performance | ENERGY STAR certification in Canada; whole-window U-factor and Energy Rating for each type |
| Installation | Insert or full-frame for each opening; sill pan and flashing; gap insulation and air seal method |
| Finishing | Interior trim, stops, sills and extension jambs; exterior capping, brickmould and sealant; stucco or siding repair |
| Removal | Removal and disposal of old windows and debris |
| Measurement | Who takes the final measurements, and when |
| Schedule | Order lead time and installation dates or window |
| Price | Total, taxes (included or extra), deposit, payment schedule, and what triggers extra charges such as rot repair |
| Warranties | Product warranty by component, and the installer's workmanship warranty, in writing |
02 /Why are replacement windows so expensive?
Replacement windows cost what they do because most are custom-built to the size of each opening, then installed and finished by hand. A single opening involves the window itself, the sealed glass units inside it, delivery, removal of the old unit, fitting, shimming, flashing, insulating and air sealing, interior trim, exterior capping or trim, sealant and disposal. Full-frame work adds more labour, and stucco or masonry adds more again.
The site's Window Replacement Planner shows how the choices stack up. A medium vinyl casement with double low-e argon glass installed as an insert plans at $900 to $1,500. Fibreglass multiplies that by 1.3, wood-clad by 1.6 and aluminum-clad wood by 1.7; triple glazing by 1.15; full-frame adds $250 to $600 per unit, and stucco a further $300 to $800 per unit in full-frame work.
03 /What is a reasonable price for replacement windows?
A reasonable price is one that falls within a sensible range for your specific windows and includes everything a complete quote should. Run your list of openings through the planner to get a planning range, then compare quotes against it and against each other on price per window. A quote well below the others is not a bargain if it leaves out trim, capping, flashing or disposal, or uses inserts where others quoted full-frame.
Price per window is a fair comparison only when the window mix is similar. A quote for ten windows that includes a patio door and a bay will have a much higher average than one for ten bedroom casements. The window replacement cost guide explains how the ranges add up.
04 /Which ten items does the Window Quote Checker look for?
The Window Quote Checker scores each quote out of ten on items that often go missing. Each one prevents a common dispute.
| Inclusion | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR certified (Canada) | Confirms certified performance; under the current Canadian specification one national requirement applies, though labels may still mention zones |
| Low-e and gas fill specified | You cannot see either; if it is not written, you cannot check it |
| Spacer type specified | Warm-edge spacers reduce edge condensation |
| Installation method specified | Insert and full-frame are different jobs at different prices |
| Interior trim and finishing | Otherwise you may be left with exposed foam and gaps |
| Exterior capping and flashing | The water management; often the first thing cut from a low quote |
| Removal and disposal | Old windows and debris have to go somewhere |
| Brand and series named | Lets you look up ratings, reviews of the product and the warranty |
| Measured by the installer | Puts responsibility for correct sizes on the company, not you |
| Written schedule | Sets expectations for ordering, installation and cleanup |
05 /What is the difference between a product warranty and an installation warranty?
A product warranty is the manufacturer's promise about the window itself. An installation warranty is the installer's promise about their workmanship: that the window is fitted, flashed and sealed correctly and will not leak or draught because of how it was installed. They come from different companies, last for different periods and cover different failures, so you need both in writing.
- Pro-rated coverage: the share covered falls over time. Ask for the schedule.
- Exclusions: read them. NRCan's retrofit guide notes that applied window films may void the original window warranty; painting vinyl, very high indoor humidity and non-standard cleaning can also appear as exclusions.
- Registration: some warranties must be registered within a set time.
- Backing: NRCan suggests asking contractors whether they offer a third-party warranty on products and services, which can protect you if the installer closes.
06 /What should you know about deposits, contracts and door-to-door sales?
Get the final agreement in writing, with the same product details as the quote, and keep copies of every document. Deposits are normal because windows are custom-made, but the amount, what it pays for and what happens if the job is cancelled should be written down. Provinces have consumer protection rules for contracts, including contracts signed at home. In Alberta, a door-to-door or prepaid contract can be cancelled within 10 days of receiving your copy; in Ontario, home renovation contracts signed in your home carry a 10-day cooling-off period, and the province recommends keeping deposits to no more than 10 percent. How to choose a window replacement company covers licences, insurance and these rights in more detail; for other provinces, check your consumer protection office.
HAUSE Home is an independent information and service-request network; it does not sell or install windows. If you request quotes through the site, compare what you receive with the checker and with this page, and take the time you need.
07 /How do you compare two or three window quotes?
- Line them up
Enter each quote's price, tax status, window count, frame, glazing, method, warranties and inclusions in the Window Quote Checker.
- Resolve differences in method
If one quote is insert and another full-frame, ask both for the other method or for their reasons. The checker warns that these are not directly comparable.
- Resolve tax differences
The checker warns when some prices include tax and others do not. Put them on the same basis before comparing.
- Ask the missing questions
The checker rewrites each missing inclusion as a question. Send those to each company and update the entries.
- Weigh completeness against price
The checker names the most complete quote and the lowest price per window, and warns when the cheapest is also the least complete.
For installation details worth asking about, read installation, flashing and sealing and insert vs full-frame replacement.
FAQQuestions people ask
What is a good price for window replacement?
One that sits within a sensible planning range for your windows and includes everything a complete quote should. Use the Window Replacement Planner for a range and the Window Quote Checker to compare quotes on price per window and inclusions.
How much of window replacement cost is labour?
It varies by method, wall and access. Insert installs take less labour than full-frame; stucco and masonry add more. The planner reflects this by adding $250 to $600 per unit for full-frame, plus $300 to $800 on stucco.
Does window installation include trim?
Not always. Some quotes include new interior stops or casing and exterior capping; others leave trim to you. 'Interior trim and finishing' and 'exterior capping and flashing' are two of the ten items the Window Quote Checker looks for.
Are window warranties transferable?
Some manufacturers' warranties transfer to a new owner, sometimes with conditions or reduced coverage. Installation warranties vary. If you might sell, ask for transfer terms in writing.
Should I pay a deposit for windows?
A deposit is common because windows are custom-made. Get the amount, what it covers and the cancellation terms in writing, and check your province's consumer protection rules for contracts signed at home.
SOURCESSources and further reading
- Natural Resources Canada — Keeping the Heat In, Chapter 8: Upgrading windows and doors (PDF)
- Natural Resources Canada — Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program
- Natural Resources Canada — ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights
- Government of Alberta — Consumer Bill of Rights
- Government of Ontario — Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs
