House Smart Home Improvements

Around July/August 2011 had 12 windows installed, a set of french doors and draft proofing after being recommended this company by a neighbour. All the work was done quickly within around 5 hours on one day and no mess was left behind after clean up. Things were great until late fall and through winter (2011-2012). When temperatures dropped close to or below freezing our front window started showing signs of moisture on the framing (not the window itself) to the point where it would actually drip very very slowly where the casing was nailed in even when it hadn't rained for a week or more. We called the company and they sent someone out who took a quick 5 minute look and said they would come back. After not getting back to us, we called again and they sent someone out. We were told it was likely our roof, but they didn't do anything beyond just looking at it and guessing. Months passed and it warmed up so we then decided to have our roof and gutters replaced anyways as they were getting old, however it did nothing to help the window come the next winter (2012-2013) when the weather got cool again. The roofer also said there was no sign of a leak in the area. We called the company again and explained the situation once more. They said they would send someone out before Christmas, but they never did. We called back again in January 2013 and They sent someone out right away but they blew off the issue without doing a comprehensive inspection and said it was nothing to do with the install. When we called back yet again they laughed at my wife's questions and asked if we read the book about sealing the home and how it can effect moisture levels. Getting fed up, I pulled the casing off the window myself, as they never bothered to go this far, and I could see daylight coming in around the window as it was not fully sealed. So we called them back the same day and they apologized quite a bit for them not even having gone this far looking into the issue and said they would send someone out. They ended up only sending out the person who did the draft proofing, not a the window installer. He looked around and sealed some more things that were unrelated to the window. He then said the casing should have sealed it enough to prevent air movement (casing was installed without removing all of the old window caulking so it would not have actually fully sealed) and pointed out a small patch of moisture on the wall near our chimney in the attic and said it is possible the water was going along the wall 5 feet, going 90 degrees to the right and then traveling another 10 feet to the middle of the window. Seemed odd, but we called the roofing installer back out and there was a slight problem with the caulking used on the chimney flashing, and that was then repaired but they said it didn't look like the moisture was traveling how the draft proofing guy described it may have been happening. Come cool weather again (2013 still), the chimney leak fix did nothing to fix the window leak. It was warming up now so the leak had gone away, but Easter 2013 we went to wash the front window and when we sprayed it with a hose, water just came pouring in like crazy from the spot where the window had been leaking. So yet again, we called the company back and they sent out an actual window installer who looked at it and said they must not have properly, or forgot to, caulk the flashing when it was installed. So he caulked the seam between the window and the flashing and now we are left to wait again until cold weather next winter to see if the problem persists. Hopefully it is fixed as it is quite ugly not having the molding around it and will have to pay to have it replaced.

-Edit-
"I was disappointed after I paid my specialist to show you that in fact was the roofers poor installation that was causing your leak to see this review."

I just want to reply to this comment. The window leak was occurring both before and after the roof was replaced and also the window leak was strongest during long dry periods when the weather was very cold outside and there had been no rain for a week or more. It did not happen before the new window was installed and the issue with the flashing leak occurred later. The rate of the leak was directly related to outside temperature and was not stronger at any point when it rained very heavy as it has not leaked since the weather has been above around 2 celsius even during very heavy long rains. Only recent time was when the garden hose was used to give it a quick spray before hand washing. It only leaked during winter. The spot in the attic where the chimney flashing leak showed moisture was just a small damp spot on the wall by the roof.

I do thank you for continuing to look into this issue and making an effort to look into it further. You continue to stand by your work and your product which I appreciate. I look forward to having everything looking as nice as it did when you first installed it. Thanks!

Jan and I are thrilled with the transformation of our home with the replacement of 22 cascade windows, a front door and a patio door.
House Smart Home Improvements can be proud of the way in which our contract was handled, beginning with yourself, whom we found to be professional in your approach and knowledgeable about the products and procedures.
The job was scheduled for March 12, 2013 and the crew arrived on time, ready to work, and work they did for about seven hours without a lunch break.
Corey managed his crew well and they were all really good at what they were assigned. They wasted no time, while keeping as inconspicuous to us as possible. They were tidy workers and ensured that the inside and the outside of the house were as clean when they left as they found it.
We would recommend Kate, Corey and the whole crew to anyone and will not hesitate to recommend HOUSE SMART IMPROVEMENTS.

This service was a bit of a donkey show and the contractor at the time was unorganized, slow, and not sure of his scope of work.

He did a poor job of electrical connections and pipe matching. Not a stellar job for sure.

I understand that this sub contractor has since been fired by House Smart.

Last year we had our home windows replaced by House Smart Home Improvements. We were extremely pleased with the entire process and with the quality of workmanship and expertise throughout the process. I had seven companies give us information and quotes on our windows and found this company to be the best quality, and although not the cheapest excellent value for the quality of the product. Kate McMaster, the sales rep was the only rep to have full knowledge of her product and was able to give me all the informayion I needed. She followed our project from start to finish and saw that our particular requirements were satisfied.

The installation crew were fantstic and completed the install of 24 windows in just over two days. They had to double cut the exterior and back cut the interior returns to meet our desired effect for the new windows. Cleanup was done each day and our gardens were not damaged at all.

Overall we are very pleased with our new windows and their operation and have no hesitation recommending this company and in particular, Kate as your representative.

Bruce and Carol Conley

It has been close to a year now since I had your Company install windows, doors, insulation, a new furnace and hot water tank in my residence and I wanted to share with you the energy savings results since having done these upgrades to my home.

In October, 2011 I had AmeriSpec do an energy audit on my home which was built in 1979. The audit indicated the home was below average rating at a 41. Having done the recommended upgrades it was expected the house would come out at a rating of around 55 or so. When the final audit was done in March, 2012 the house rating came out with a higher than expected rating of 66. Government rebates for the upgrades totaled about $4,700.00.

Just to show you the difference in my heating costs, I am on a monthly budget plan and was paying $144.00 a month. When my anniversary date came up in October this year I had a $289.00 credit on my bill which has translated into having no bill for November and December and also my monthly heating bill has dropped by over half to $76.00 a month beginning November 1st which I think is incredible for a 3000 square foot house. The house is much more comfortable and warmer than it was last year at this time. I find that keeping the furnace between 68 and 70 degrees to be just right anything higher and the place becomes a sauna. Prior to the upgrades the old furnace had to be kept at least 74 degrees and even at that the house felt damp and cool. When I renewed my home insurance in October this year a further $128.00 came off my annual premium due to the new furnace and hot water tank being installed.

I don’t know if any other customers ever communicate this type of information with you but I was thrilled with these results and felt compelled to share them with you. I am so glad I had these upgrades done and have absolutely no reservations about having done them and I certainly have no hesitations in recommending your Company to anyone else I know Brian.

Thanks again Brian.

Our old furnace(at least 35 years old)was condemned.
Received a coupon from House Smart,contacted them and went ahead with the job.Their salesman came by and was very knowledgable and helpful.Their office was on top of grants and permits etc.installation went very smoothly.

We have just had some windows and patio sliding door replaced and are pleasantly surprised by the very professional manner this was done. The service men were on time, very professional and made sure that everything was left in pristine conditions. The quality of the windows and door is A-one. I would definately recommend House Smart to anyone who is considering home improvements.

I find your salesman Bryan professional
and knowledgeable, so is your installer
Darius. They are courteous and answered.
my follow up questions promptly.
Lisa was helpful in the filling up of the form for the rebate from Fortis.
I am satisfied with their work that I
ordered my windows from Bryan too
I would recommend this company to family and friends.

Belinda

Kate was our first contact. She was great to talk to, work with, she measured, ordered quickly and arranged an installation date. We were extremely pleased with the replacement of all our windows in the house and even though it's been less than a week, we are already enjoying them, find it's much quieter, barely hear the traffic going by. Quality products too and a great team of installers, polite, proficient, knowledgeable, the work was completed in one day and everything was cleaned up. Would gladly recommend House Smart to anyone.

Manfred & Pamela

My wife and I just bought our first home and it was important for us to make sure the envelope was secure, the house would be efficient, and we wanted to take full advantage of the government rebates before the programs potentially cancelled. A friend recommended House Smart because of what he called “a friendly, and trustworthy experience” with sales rep Kate McMaster... he went further to say that the materials were measured/ordered/acquired quickly, and the installation was smooth, efficient, and clean.

WE AGREE!

Kate was great to work with, not pushy, she was very patient and available.
Kate measured the new windows, and the installer (a super nice guy) came to measure a second time before ordering.
Installation was done cleanly in one day... the whole house!

All this, and we made it before any rebate programs shut down.

Our (post installation) home assessment showed huge improvement, in spite of the fact that the pre assessment told us the house was already sealed well.

After it was all done, we noticed a small piece of dirt in between the glass panes on one of the windows... One call to Kate, and the repair was put in process right away – no questions asked.

What a fabulous experience... We are extremely happy with the services rendered and would recommend “House Smart Home Improvements” to anyone.