Advice for homeowners

Harry

Meet your
FENSA Advisor

This is Harry.

You might recognise him from our TV ad.

Harry works for a FENSA Approved installation company. He's on a mission to help professionalise installers and protect homeowners across the UK, so he started this advice column.

FENSA website for advice

In one of our recent FENSA Fitters polls, we asked the following question:

 

Where would you go first for advice on window installation?

 

Around 50% of the respondents answered 'the FENSA website', and that's great, but it got us thinking, about where else you might be looking for advice and how we could help you further. Here are some of our thoughts; please let us know yours.

 

Rely on the window installers for advice

 

Some of us like to rely on the professional window installers for advice. Indeed, we can see why you would want to ask the experts. And that is why we have our own 'Ask the Experts' discussion page on our Facebook page. Do please have a look on there if you have any questions to ask, and our FENSA installers will do their best to answer them.

 

Getting the right double glazing advice is vital since you will be able to improve the performance of your home with energy efficient products. There are many different materials and styles to choose from, so many trust the advice of FENSA Approved Installers to make good recommendations and give home advice that will be compliant with Building Regulations and make use of energy efficient products.

 

Choose tradesmen because they are recommended

 

Many of us shortlist potential companies for our house renovations based on our friends' experiences, or those of people we trust. We agree that word of mouth can be important, but remember you can still check if the company is FENSA registered on our website. Use our postcode or company name search to find a FENSA Approved Installer.

 

Finding the right home improvement advice can feel daunting, so it's understandable that many homeowners will want to go with a friend or family members' recommendations. Double glazing advice can get technical or seem overwhelming at first, so having a friendly face involved in the process can help us to make it easier and find the right window advice for you. 

 

Used this window fitter before

 

You may have already used your window fitter before and were more than happy with their work. If so, do please let us know so we can share your experiences with others. If you have improved with home with a FENSA Approved Installer who gave you the right window advice to enhance the look and feel of your home, it would be really beneficial if you could share this information. 

 

Online reviews and recommendations are hugely important, not only for collating double glazing advice but for understanding the right product and service in all kinds of markets. If you've used a window fitter before and were impressed, why not help others to find the same levels of satisfaction?

 

So why check the FENSA website?

 

Even if you have a window installer who is recommended to you, and you rely on their advice for windows and double glazing, you should still check the FENSA website.

 

The FENSA website provides lots of interesting and useful information that you can access quickly. You can also use some of our online services quickly, which have proven for many consumers to be invaluable, time and time again. So here is a quick list of some of the things you can find on the FENSA website:

 

  • Useful advice if you are thinking of replacing your windows
  • Information on the FENSA scheme, and what it means when choosing a window fitter
  • Search for FENSA Registered Businesses in your area
  • Check a company is FENSA registered
  • Reorder your FENSA certificate
  • Information on home improvement works that do not need notifying through FENSA
  • Access to FAQs, including information on what needs to be certified regarding replacement windows
  • Information on how FENSA Registered Businesses are inspected
  • Advice and tips on how to avoid cowboys

 

No matter what your situation is, if you are thinking of replacing your windows or doors, and you have or haven't got an installer, spend a few moments on the FENSA website, there is a wealth of information there that might just help you.

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What to check before appointing an installer

Check that you use a FENSA Approved Installer but also check the following:

  • Ask family and friends who have used installers about their satisfaction and whether they got a FENSA certificate.
  • Check the installer's references by talking to their previous customers.
  • Get at least three quotes and check you are being quoted like for like.
  • Cheapest is not always best and good contractors are always in demand.
  • Get quotes, timeframes and the fact that you will get a FENSA certificate all in writing. A proper written contract with an agreed completion date will help prevent confusion later on
  • Check the warranty on the installer's work and ensure they have enough insurance to cover their warranty. Domestic glazing installers that are registered with a competent person scheme like FENSA are legally obliged to provide warranty insurance to cover your installation should the company cease to trade within the life of the warranty.
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