Advice for homeowners

Please be aware that the installation of a conservatory or porch falls outside the scope of the FENSA competent persons scheme. FENSA can only deal with complaints regarding non-compliance with the Building Regulations of replacement installations of windows, rooflights and doors, not porches or conservatories.

Here are a few points to bear in mind:

Conservatories and porches are not covered under the FENSA scheme because under the Building Regulations they are generally not considered to be part of the thermal envelope of the property.

If a conservatory is installed with integrated heating, then it becomes classified as being part of the thermal envelope of the building and therefore needs to comply with Building Regulations. The installation would need to be referred to the relevant Local Authority Building Control, not the FENSA scheme. Therefore, you will not require a FENSA certificate for a conservatory installation, and FENSA is unable to resolve any issues with conservatories or porches as a result. 

Inner doors leading to the conservatory or porch (if they have 50% glazing or more) and have been replaced on a like for like basis only, do come under the scope of FENSA.

If you do need further help then we would advise you to contact one of the organisations below or any trade association that the company may belong to.

USEFUL CONTACTS:

• British Woodworking Federation http://www.bwf.org.uk/about-bwf
• Conservatory Association http://www.ggf.org.uk/group/conservatory-association
• Trading Standards http://www.tradingstandards.uk/home.cfm

For more information about what installations are and are not covered as part of the FENSA scheme, you can read our advice articles. If you are looking for replacement windows or doors that will be compliant with Building Regulations, you can find a FENSA Approved Installer near you.