Window and door installations in England and Wales under third lockdown

Is it safe to have windows or doors replaced under England’s third national lockdown? Can tradespeople enter my home under Alert Level 4 restrictions in Wales? We answer key questions you may have about inviting FENSA Approved Installers into your home following the announcement of new measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

This week the government announced that England would be entering a new national lockdown of local coronavirus restrictions for England, commencing on 5 January. In Wales, alert level 4 restrictions have been in place since midnight on 19 December.

Under both sets of restrictions, people are advised to stay at home and restrict social interactions. So what does that mean if you’ve scheduled a FENSA Approved Installer to do work in your home over the coming weeks or months?

In this article we’ve addressed some of the main concerns likely held by customers of FENSA Approved Installers. If you are still unsure about whether your installation should go ahead, please contact your installer directly to discuss this with them.

Can a FENSA Approved Installer work in my home under England’s third national lockdown?

Yes. It is still permitted for tradespeople including window and door installers to work in your home under England’s third national lockdown – as long as they do so following COVID safety protocol. Where COVID-19 secure measures may not be in place, Government guidance advises that you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden.

See the Government guidance for England

Can a FENSA Approved Installer work in my home under the Alert Level 4 restrictions in Wales?

Yes. Work can still be carried out in people’s homes by tradespeople in Wales under Alert Level 4 restrictions – as long as it is managed in a safe way and neither the workers nor household members have symptoms of coronavirus.

See the Government guidance for Wales

How will my FENSA Approved Installer manage the risks associated with COVID-19?

Since resuming work after the first national coronavirus lockdown, FENSA Approved Installers have introduced extra measures designed to ensure the safety and protection of your household and their teams.

Before arriving at your property, your FENSA Approved Installer will complete a risk assessment. If you wish, you can ask for a copy of your installer’s risk assessment before work begins. Additionally:

- Installers will comply with social distancing guidelines whenever possible; when not, face coverings will be worn
- They’ll wash or sanitise their hands regularly, including before entering your property
- They’ll provide floor protection and will sanitise all surfaces they come into contact with
- They’ll bring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) with them
- They’ll minimise their movements around your property

You can learn more about the enhanced safety measures your FENSA Approved Installer will take in our document: Having windows and doors installed during the COVID-19 outbreak

If I have symptoms do I need to postpone my window or door installation?

Yes. If you or any person in your household has had COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, within 14 days of the installation date, your installer will need to postpone the installation. Extra precautions will also need to be taken if any person in your household is clinically vulnerable e.g. someone over the age of 70. If either of the above apply to you, we recommend contacting your installer as soon as possible.

What if I’m unsure if I should postpone the work?

It’s completely understandable if you have concerns about your scheduled installation work, even if no one in your household has COVID-19 symptoms. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your upcoming installation we recommend contacting your installer to discuss these as soon as possible.

Is there anything I can do to prepare my home for the visit of a window or door installer?

There are a number of things you can do to help prepare your home for a safe installation:

- When your installer arrives, agree with them any areas that will become out of bounds such as where you or other household members will remain during the installation.
- Try to comply with social distancing guidelines when near installers, whenever possible.
- Please provide a facility where installers may wash their hands regularly. They’ll be carrying hand sanitiser but soap and water is preferable.
- Please do not touch or handle any of your installer’s tools, materials or PPE.
- Keep internal doors to rooms that are being worked on open at all times to increase airflow and reduce contact with handles.
- Wait until installers have left the property before entering areas where they’ve been working, if possible.
- Please don’t be offended if your FENSA Approved Installer doesn’t shake your hand before leaving!

When will I get my FENSA certificate?

Once the installation is finished, your FENSA Approved Installer will notify FENSA that the job is complete and meets the Building Regulations. FENSA will then generate and post a FENSA certificate to you, which should arrive within two weeks.

 Verify or reorder your FENSA certificate online

Can I get an online quote from a FENSA Approved Installer?

Yes you can now request a quote from a FENSA Approved Installer for your window or door replacement right here on the FENSA website. Just enter your postcode to get started, select installers to ask for a quote, then enter your installation details.

Request a quote from a FENSA Approved Installer