Understanding Coverage: What Your Window or Door Installation Includes, and What It Doesn’t

• Removal of the existing unit in a careful, professional manner.
• Installation, levelling, insulation, and sealing of product.
• Work is done to industry standards and manufacturer instructions so warranties remain valid.
• Minor, visible issues that are directly related to the installation, when they can be corrected without additional structural work.

• Pre-existing structural problems, such as compromised framing, rot, or inadequate support.
• Cosmetic cracking in plaster, drywall, stucco, siding or paint that can occur when removing older units.
• Major repairs to framing, sheathing, or wall structures that do not meet past or current building standards.
• Work on electrical, plumbing, or alarm systems unless specifically quoted and approved.

The homeowner:

• Tell us about any known water damage, drafts, or movement around existing windows.
• Remove curtains, blinds, and nearby fragile items.
• Clear exterior access, trim plants, and move planters out of the way.
• Consider a pre-install inspection for very old or historically altered homes.
• Cover items of concern (electronics, 

Out-of-plumb or irregular openings

Many homes, especially older properties, do not have perfectly square, level, or plumb window and door openings. These conditions are often concealed until the existing units are removed. While every effort is made to achieve the best possible fit and appearance, irregular openings can affect clearances, trim lines, caulking, and overall finish.

In these situations, minor visual variances, tapered trim lines, or increased sealant coverage may be necessary to ensure proper function and weather protection. These adjustments are considered normal and are not considered installation defects.

Hardwood floors and flooring

We take every precaution and apply protective coverings throughout the work area to eliminate risk. However, due to the extreme weight and necessary manoeuvring of materials, on very rare occasions, minor, unavoidable scratches or dents to the existing hardwood and flooring may occur.

Walls and paint

Vibrations and pre-existing structural weaknesses often cause drywall seams to shift, commonly leading to cracks during window or door removal and replacement. Older paint around these openings also frequently cracks or chips.

Paintlines

Installing new trim or casings can reveal existing paint lines that are uneven, faded, or mismatched. Our installers can finish trim neatly, but we do not repaint or touch up surrounding walls unless specifically quoted.

Insulation and Vapour Barrier Issues

When the existing unit is removed, installers may uncover missing, compromised, or moisture-saturated insulation in the wall cavity. Similarly, the existing vapour barrier (or building envelope protection) may be incorrectly installed or damaged. While not immediately visible, these conditions compromise the home's energy performance and can lead to future moisture issues.

Concealed Utilities Electrical wiring

(for exterior lights, outlets, or other features) or plumbing lines may be routed too close to, or even through, the rough opening. These utilities are typically hidden behind the existing window frame and surrounding finishes. Discovering improperly routed utilities requires work to be paused immediately for safe and compliant relocation.

Exterior Siding, Stucco, or Trim Damage

The process of carefully removing the old window and its exterior trim may reveal brittle, aged, or poorly adhered exterior finishes (siding, stucco, brick moulding). Despite careful handling, minor cracking, chipping, or breakage of these surrounding exterior materials can occur, which will require specialised repairs or touch-ups to restore the weather seal and aesthetics.

Why this matters

These situations are rarely due to installer error; they are a natural consequence of working with existing materials that have aged, shifted, or were installed differently than current building standards.

How we protect you

• Use protective coverings on floors and furniture.
• Work carefully around delicate finishes.
• Communicate immediately if we notice any condition that may require attention beyond the installation scope.
• Provide guidance for next steps if cosmetic repairs or repainting are desired.

Pause work

As soon as our installation team uncovers a condition that falls outside the original scope (for example, a rotted sill or structural weakness), work is temporarily stopped.

Document the issue

The team photographs and documents the problem thoroughly. This ensures there is a clear record of what was found, where, and how severe it is.

Report to the client

We explain the condition to you (the homeowner), walking you through what the issue is, why it matters, and what potential risks or costs are involved.

Prepare a separate quote

If the problem requires remediation, such as repair of framing, drywall, or other hidden damage, Bayview provides a detailed, written estimate for that additional work.

Resume work only with approval

We only continue with the remediation or installation once you (the client) give written approval of the additional scope and cost.

Review the documentation

When our team stops work due to a discrepancy, you will receive the documentation (photos + description) so you can clearly understand the condition.

Consider the options

You evaluate the separate quote we’ve provided for the extra work. You may choose to:

Approve the additional work (in which case Bayview proceeds), or Decline or defer the work (in which case we might install the window in a more limited or temporary way, or plan for follow‑up work).

Provide written approval

To move forward with the corrective work or to resume full installation, you must agree in writing to the revised scope and cost. This ensures everyone is aligned.

Participate in the final walkthrough

Once the work is completed, we do a joint inspection of the installation and any remediation, so you can confirm that everything was done to your satisfaction.

This approach ensures you remain informed and in control, while our team can address unexpected issues professionally without compromising quality or safety.