Doors, windows & glazing contracts across Canada

Doors and windows on busy public buildings wear out fast, and buyers fix and replace them through a mix of on-call repair contracts and replacement projects. It's specialized work: door hardware, automatic operators, overhead doors and glazing each have their own small pool of firms.

Who buys door and window work?

• School districts, for door hardware, exterior doors and window replacements, mostly in summer.
• Municipalities, for automatic doors, overhead doors at fire halls and works yards, and storefront glazing.
• Health authorities, for automatic and secure doors in hospitals and care homes.
• Housing providers, for unit doors and window replacement programs.

What does the work include?

Repair contracts cover on-call work at hourly rates: adjusting closers, replacing hardware, fixing automatic operators and overhead doors, and emergency board-ups or glass replacement. Replacement tenders come with a door and hardware schedule or window drawings from an architect, listing every opening, its hardware set and fire rating. Fire-rated doors must be installed and maintained so they keep their rating.

How is it priced?

Repairs use hourly rates, after-hours rates and a parts markup, sometimes with set prices for common items. Replacements are priced as a lump sum, sometimes with unit prices per opening. Lead times for doors, frames and hardware can be long, so check the schedule the tender sets.

When do these tenders come out?

Replacements at schools are tendered in spring for summer installs.

What do you need to bid?

Expect WorkSafeBC registration and a clearance letter, liability insurance, references and product data for what you'll install. Automatic door work often needs technicians trained to the manufacturer's standard, and work on locks and access control may need a security business licence in BC. Schools and health sites usually need criminal record checks.

The security, access control and locksmith guide covers the licensing side of door hardware and access work.