One line in our FAQ gets more follow-up questions than any other: our salespeople don’t work on commission. People want to know why, and what it changes. The short answer is that commission is the reason the window industry has the reputation it has, and we decided a long time ago not to be part of that. Here’s the longer answer, including what it means for your price.
How Commission Sales Work in This Industry
At many window and door companies, the person who visits your home is a commissioned sales representative, not a tradesperson. They’re typically paid 8 to 15 percent of the sale, sometimes more on the amount above a base price. Some are paid only if you sign at the first visit. Some companies run a two-tier price list, a “retail” price and a “manager’s special” that appears after a phone call, and the rep’s commission rises with how close to retail you pay.
None of this is illegal, and some commissioned reps are honest and knowledgeable. But the incentive is built in: the rep earns more if you buy more, pay more, and decide tonight.
What It Does to the Quote
- The commission is in the price. Ten percent of a $15,000 job is $1,500 that went to the rep, not into your windows.
- Upselling. Triple-pane, laminated glass, premium hardware, and full-frame installation are all legitimately good in the right situation, and they’re also the easiest way to grow the ticket.
- The vanishing discount. The “40 percent off if you sign tonight” is only possible because the starting number was inflated to leave room for it.
- Pressure. Long presentations, calls to the manager, and reluctance to leave a written quote behind are all techniques designed to close at the first visit.
What It Does to the Homeowner
Beyond the money, it makes people dread the process. We meet homeowners every week who put off replacing failed windows for years because the last time they got a quote, someone sat at their kitchen table for three hours. That’s a bad outcome for everyone: they lived with drafts, the industry lost a customer, and the salesperson probably didn’t make the sale either.
Our Model
WideView is family-owned and has grown almost entirely on referrals over 20 years. The people who quote your job are salaried and are the same people who understand how the windows go in. They’re there to measure, look at the frames, explain the options, and give you a written, itemized quote that’s good for 30 days. If you want to think about it for a month, or get two more quotes, that’s fine; nobody’s pay depends on you deciding today.
It also means we can say no. If your frames are sound and a retrofit will do, we quote a retrofit. If your door can be fixed with a $30 sweep, we’ll tell you, and we’ve written a guide on exactly that. A commissioned rep can’t afford to do that very often.
What It Means for Your Price
Our quote has no room built in for a commission or a fake discount, so the first number is the real number. We don’t claim to be the cheapest; a company cutting corners on flashing and insulation can always be cheaper. We do claim that when you compare our itemized quote to a commissioned company’s “tonight-only” price on the same product and the same installation method, ours is usually lower and always clearer. Our guide to reading a quote shows you how to make that comparison.
How to Tell if a Company Pays Commission
- Ask directly. An honest company answers.
- Ask if the person quoting has ever installed a window.
- Notice whether the price changes when you hesitate.
- Notice whether they’ll leave a written quote without a signature.
- Notice how long the visit takes. Measuring and discussing a 12-window house takes about an hour. Three hours is a presentation.
Get a Quote Without the Pitch
We measure, explain, and leave you a written quote. Take as long as you like. Serving London, Mississauga, Oakville, and the GTA.
A family-owned business that supplies and installs high-quality windows and doors throughout Mississauga, Oakville, London, and surrounding areas in Ontario. Over 20 years of experience and a reputation built entirely on customer referrals.