Is Double Glazing Installer Accreditation Important?
Identifying your installers’ accreditation
For all installations of Windows & Doors in the UK, homeowners should make sure that the work is undertaken by properly certified installers who are members of a recognised Industry Trade Bodies / Trade Associations, that have passed their accreditation. If not, you may end up paying a higher long term cost because you end up trying to put the work right afterwards.
- Find out more about prices on our cost guide
There are several good reasons for this, not least that you will be spending your hard earned savings on probably the most expensive & valuable thing that you own – it does not pay to take short cuts or to take the first offer.
There are a number of properly organised, government recognised and /or endorsed trade associations for the double glazing industry and the biggest and most well-known of them offer very good levels of consumer protection, in terms of the competence of the installer, the way they work & the type of guarantees that they should offer to customers.
Here is a little information on the main associations;
CERTASS
- Checks training record & financial status of members
- 7 day “cooling off” requirements
- Members should offer consumers Insurance backed guarantees
- Annual inspection of member installations
- Members self-certify for building regulation compliance
- Certass manages the thermal rating register
FENSA
- Members self-certify building regulation compliance on installations
- Deposit protection scheme and insurance backed guarantees on offer
- Carry out independent assessments; they do not accept companies that fail assessments
- Actively report false claims to the Trading Standards Office
- This is a “competent person” scheme
GGF
- Members must have previous experience
- Member must work to “Glazing Manual” standards & Code of Good Practice.
- Dispute resolution & conciliation services
- Consultancy and expert witness service
DGCOS
Deposit protection scheme
- Guarantees backed by insurance policies
- Access to mediation via the ombudsman
- Help & advice line (free)
- Access to a Compensation fund for cases handled via ombudsman
You should bear in mind that most replacement windows & doors will need to be certified to meet current building regulations for energy efficiency and if your chosen installer is not recognised as competent to do this for you then it may involve you in extra time and expense to arrange inspection and approval from your local planning authority.
