Olympia Windows & Doors Ltd

As part of my big renovation, I needed a total of new five windows installed. Four of the windows were for the finished basement and one was a feature window for the rear addition bump out.

When I started to search for a windows company to take on the work, I went through many online reviews, combing through renovation forums and Homestar reviews. I came across Olympia Windows and my attention was directed to two primary things they brought to the table over other companies.

They've been in the windows business for 30+ years and are partners with established window manufacters known for building quality windows.

I called Olympia and spoke with Emilio (owner). We had a quick chat about the location of my house. I'm in the west end GTA on a one way street and row house configuration. Emilio expressed concern about the installers having safe and easy access to downtown Toronto houses where parking was limited. He explained to me that in a few of his past jobs, there was no access for his installers to bring the windows & doors and also all the necessary equipment to install them. I assured Emilio that I did have rear lane-way access and my other reno contractors had no issues with accessibility.

Emilio sent out his sales rep (Lily Morton) to meet with me at my house. Lily was very helpful and extremely patient with teaching me about how a solid window should be constructed and highlighted the competitive edge of the windows manufacturer Olympia uses. We went through the different windows type for my basement application with Lily suggesting awning for the family room and bathroom (frosted) while double sliders for the bedroom taking egress into account. Egress was an important consideration as the basement bedroom will use for friends and in-laws. She also explained the difference between "brick to brick" vs. retrofit.

Lily spent close to two hours with me and never once did I receive any pressure to sign off for an order. This was a sharp contrast to experience I had with a sales rep from a popular windows company. The sales rep spent less than 15 min with me (most of it was spent measuring the window opening sizes) and then pressured me to sign off and pay a deposit.

I decided to move forward with a signed contract with Olympia and a large part of that was Lily's shared expertise and her desire to sincerely wanting to help a customer vs. looking to make a quick buck from them.

My order was placed in October (2014). Emilio sent one of his techs (Alfredo) to my house to do the final measurements. There was a lot of conversation on the feature window. Since I was looking for an oversized modern (picture frame & casement combo) window for the rear bump out, it quickly became a production in which my general contractor, structural engineers and olympia had to work together on. Olympia was very accomondating and worked with their windows manufacturer to ensure the custom window could be made and a proper warranty would be applied on it as well.

Unfortunately due to the extreme winter we experienced, Emilio was unable to dispatch his install teams to put in the windows. He did make an effort to keep me updated during the winter months that he would prioritize my install was the weather warmed up.

I got a call from Emilio last week and arrangements were made for his team to come out and install the windows. Olympia uses their own experienced installers (vs. subcontracting). George & Flavia arrived in the morning (earlier than scheduled). They got set up and began work with the big feature window first. It did take a bit of work but it was installed and fitted. George always made sure the windows was level and plumb. In fact he's a perfectionist and even having the level ever so slightly off wasn't good enough that he insisted on adjusting it.

George and Flavia had no issues with me shadowing them during their work either. They made it a point to explain each step of the installation process and what was being done next. I could see that they were performing the install like it was their own house. When a customer sees this type of effort being put in, there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude as it really is a mixed bag of service in the GTA contractor trade nowadays.

George cleaned up both inside and outside after the install leaving my house clean. He even took my old windows away for recycling and disposal.

Thanks to the Olympia Windows team of Emilio, Lily, Alfredo, George and Flavia for everything! The windows are installed and look amazing. I can also rest assured that if any issues arise, Olympia will still be in business to help me resolve it. Looking forward to working with Olympia again for future windows & doors requirements.