The specific challenges of the trade in Quebec
Selling and installing windows and doors in Quebec means managing a long cycle:
- Opening surveys — every unit has dimensions, opening type and options; one measurement error costs a full window
- Supplier lead times — 4 to 12 weeks between order and delivery, with the client kept informed
- Deposits — down payment at signature (30-50%), balance at installation: two collections per contract
- The RBQ licence — correct subclass and Construction Code compliance
- Warranties — serial numbers and manufacturer warranties archived per unit for 10 to 25 years
- Energy programs — Energy Star, Novoclimat and subsidies your clients ask about
With 30 to 50 active contracts in high season, a fenestration contractor running on Excel and paper loses the thread — and sales.
What a professional bid must contain
Based on industry best practices and what Quebec clients and general contractors expect:
| Element | Residential | Commercial / Institutional |
|---|---|---|
| Per-opening detail (dims, type, options) | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| RBQ licence number | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Deposit and balance terms | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Estimated delivery time | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Energy Star certifications per unit | If applicable | Often required |
| Manufacturer + installation warranties | Recommended | Mandatory |
How SubmitX works for your trade
Survey openings on tablet, at the client's home
Unit by unit: dimensions, opening type, options and photos. The survey becomes the quote automatically — zero re-typing at the office.
Signable quote with deposit, same day
Price per opening, deposit terms and e-signature. The client signs online and pays the deposit by card — the contract locks before competitors call back.
Supplier PO generated and tracked
The purchase order goes to your supplier with full specifications; expected delivery is tracked and the client informed automatically.
Install scheduled, balance collected, warranties archived
Installation booked on unit arrival — zero warehousing. At install: photos, balance invoiced automatically, serial numbers and warranties archived per opening.
💡 The real gain: the survey → quote → signature cycle drops from days to 24 hours. In residential fenestration, the first contractor with a signable quote wins the contract most of the time.
SubmitX vs Excel vs generic software
| Criterion | Excel / paper | Generic software | SubmitX ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening surveys on tablet | Paper | Partial | Native |
| Deposit + balance at install | Manual | Generic | Automatic |
| Supplier PO tracking | No | No | Integrated |
| Warranties per installed unit | Paper binder | No | Archived + searchable |
| Electronic signature | No | Optional | Included |
| Seasonal follow-up campaigns | No | No | Spring / fall automatic |
Pricing and return on investment
SubmitX starts at $99/month CAD. For a fenestration contractor with a $12,000 average basket, one extra contract a month — won because your signable quote arrived first — is a 100×+ ROI.
Add the admin time recovered (re-typed surveys, supplier follow-ups, balance reminders): 10 to 15 hours a week in high season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best windows and doors software in Quebec?
SubmitX covers the full fenestration cycle: tablet surveys, signable quotes with deposit, supplier POs, scheduled installs and per-unit warranties. From $99/month, free trial without a card.
How does it manage deposits and balances?
Deposit at signature, balance at installation: both invoiced automatically, collected online through Stripe, with automatic reminders.
Does it track installed unit warranties?
Yes — every installed unit is archived with serial number, manufacturer warranty and installation date; after-sales finds any opening's history in seconds.
Try SubmitX free for 7 days
Create your first bid in under 20 minutes — no credit card required.
Start the free trial