What I learned preparing to replace my windows in Montreal (first-time experience)

I’m currently preparing to replace the windows in my house in Montreal, and I wanted to share a few things I learned along the way in case it helps others. Also happy to hear if I missed anything.

1. Apply for Rénoclimat before doing anything
This seems pretty important. From what I understand, you need to register and get the evaluation before starting the work, otherwise you might not be eligible for the subsidy.

2. Get at least 3 quotes (realistically more)
Everyone says “get 3 quotes,” but in reality, I had to contact a bit more companies because a lot of them simply didn’t respond. So I’d say expect to reach out to 5–8 companies to actually get 2–3 solid quotes. The prices are quite different, and I should ask them to split the price into layers, products, and warranties.

3. Check the company’s RBQ license
Before going further with any contractor, I made sure to look them up in the RBQ registry. It’s a basic step but easy to overlook.

4. Wait for the government evaluation before starting work
After the Rénoclimat evaluation is done, then you can move forward with the project.

5. Watch out for measurement issues
I’ve seen people mention that sometimes the measurements taken initially were wrong, and they had to reorder windows during installation, which caused delays. So I think it’s worth double-confirming measurements before production?

6. The installation team may be different from the company you signed with
In many cases, the installers are subcontractors. So it’s probably a good idea to also confirm their RBQ credentials, not just the main company.

7. Check everything after installation
Once the windows are installed, there are things that need to check:

• whether the windows are level
• whether there are any drafts
• overall sealing and finishing

That’s what I’ve gathered so far. If anyone has gone through this before and has tips or things to watch out for, I’d really appreciate it!