Seeing Clearly

The phone rings. The caller explains that I had carried out a survey for them 4 years ago and they now wanted some more advice. “We are thinking of having double glazing but are worried about which firm to choose.” “We contacted two who were both offering 20% discounts but the prices are vastly different.” “The price for the whole house from one firm would only pay for two windows from the other.” “We don’t know which way to turn – will we regret it if we choose the cheaper quote or is the other firm ripping us off?”
It is difficult to know where to start with that sort of question because window replacement has, by clever marketing, become perceived as a specialist task requiring more than normal building skills. In reality, most of the firms offering double-glazing are only installers. In other words, they remove the existing window and fit the replacement that has been manufactured by other companies. In fact, there are often three companies involved, one making the sealed double glazed unit, another fabricating the plastic frame around the sealed unit with the third installing it.
Clearly, the long-term performance of a window largely depends upon three vital aspects. Firstly, the accuracy of the measurements initially taken on site and then the quality of components and assembly. So initial measuring and subsequent installation is well within the capabilities of any competent builder. I explain this to dispel the mystique that has been carefully built up to create a niche industry with a price structure of its own.
Replacing windows requires Building Regulation approval that is a tedious and costly process. However, if the builder or specialist installer is registered with FENSA, a government approved regulating authority, Building Regulation approval is not required and a FENSA certificate will be issued on completion that will be sufficient to satisfy a future purchaser and mortgage lender if you sell your property.
The other advantages of employing a FENSA registered installer is that as a condition of registration they have to provide a deposit guarantee scheme and offer insurance backed product guarantees for sealed units, frames and installation. These features are particularly important now. The installer, quite reasonably, needs reassurance as to payment for the basic cost of the custom manufacture of windows; equally the customer need to know that their deposit will not be lost if the company ceases trading before completing the work. The deposit guarantee scheme means that a secure third party on behalf of both customer and company pending completion of the work holds the deposit.
The insurance backed performance guarantee is equally important. It generally runs for ten years and covers any defects in materials and manufacture irrespective of the continued existence of the installer or manufacturer. Many people think that the FENSA certificate includes this guarantee, but it is an optional extra and a subsequent purchaser of the property will expect it.
So, how did I answer my old client’s question? Firstly, decide on the design of windows you want. Do you want them all white or white inside and wood grain outside? Are they going to be plain, mock leaded or Georgian divided? What style: sliding sash, top hinged or side hinged casement, tilt and turn or ‘easy clean’? Do you want fanlight vents for secure ventilation? Do you want opening and fixed lights to be of equal size to give a balanced appearance? Lastly, specify which upper floor windows require escape hinges and non-locking latches for safety. Then ask at least
four firms to quote. Give each precisely the same ‘shopping list’ so that their prices will be directly comparable. Choosing two double-glazing firms and two general builders all of whom should be FENSA registered. If in doubt, check the FENSA website, either by their name or registered number.
©January 2012

NOTE:
The writer is an independent chartered surveyor and has no connection with any firm of estate agents or surveyors. For reasons of client confidentiality he writes under a pseudonym. Comments and enquiries are welcome and may be sent c/o Wealden Advertiser Property, Gardens & Interiors.

Print this page