Getting what you want

But is getting what you want really what you need? At some point, we all receive a quotation from a company that will give us exactly what we want, so what happens if we go ahead with it? Before we know it our windows are in, and to be honest, we may be quite happy with the job done. But have we done the right thing? Should we have listened to some of the other firms saying we couldn’t have just what we wanted?

How many of us once our windows are in, then stop and think if the windows meet current building regulations?

What you want, may not be compliant with the regulations

All too late

Unfortunately there are so many examples of consumers using firms who simply agree to your demands.  All they want is the work, so if you want a window that opens the wrong way and isn’t compliant with building regulations, they don’t care, they just say “yeap” and do the job for you. They aren’t FENSA registered, so no independent inspector is checking on their installations randomly, and they have no intention of notifying local building control of your replacement windows. You get the windows you wanted, they get paid. Everyone is happy. Or are they?

For many consumers, the first time they find out that they need a certificate of compliance for replacement windows is when they come to selling their home. The buyer’s solicitor asks for a copy of the FENSA certificate and they don’t have one. Then there is some debate over the windows and because they didn’t use a FENSA Registered Business the seller has to arrange an inspection of their windows with the Local Building Authority, to get certification that way. Later, it turns out that the windows aren’t compliant and have to be changed. By now, it’s all too late, the window installer you used is never going to come back and change your windows, so you, as the seller, have to then foot the bill and have the windows replaced.

It’s estimated that scenarios such as this one (and many others), waste around £1.5 billion each year! (www.cowboystoppers.co.uk)

Take advice and think FENSA

While it’s great to have a vision of what you want your windows to look like, how we want them to open etc. we mustn’t, as consumers, let that vision blind us to advice from professionals. If an installer is telling us we can’t have a window open in a particular fashion, it’s probably because it would mean the windows would breach current building regulations.

We should take on advice from window installers, and we should look for the FENSA logo. By looking for the FENSA logo, we know we will receive a certificate of compliance, without the added cost and time of informing Local Building Authorities of our replacement windows, which is important when we come to sell our home.

How do you clean your windows?

Clean impact

Clean windows can really refresh the way your home feels. It seems so much more light pours into your room, and the whole impact of your windows or doors is magnified somehow within that room.

So how do you get your windows that clean? This is a question we posed online via Twitter and Facebook a few times, and the answers we received were very interesting.

It seems many of us have our own unique cleaning routines and even our own unique cleaning products. All of which our respondents claim provide some stunning results.

So here we go, try these out yourself, and let us know what you think. Of course if you have your own window cleaning secret then let us know. So, in no particular order:

• Lemon juice mixed with warm water – wipe with paper
• Windolene spray – wipe with micro-cloth
• Hot soapy water for PVCu windows
• Silicone spray for composite doors
• Vinegar mixed with warm water
• Simply avoid cloths – use a proper hand held window washer, scraper and wiper
• Baking soda on damp warm sponge
• Mixture of 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 non-sudsy ammonia and 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol. Mix with water in a spray bottle.
• Wash one side with horizontal strokes and the other with vertical strokes – should show up any streaks
• Wash with a circular motion, but dry in straight lines
• Don’t know – I get a window cleaner in

Keep us posted

So there you have it, some top tips from our Twitter followers and Facebook fans. Let us know if you try any of these out and how successful they were for you. Obviously, if you have your own unique way or formula, then why not share it with us.

Remember, our festive window competitions on Twitter and Facebook are still running, so if you want to be in with a chance of winning £50 B&Q vouchers, then get your entries in before January 4^th 2012. Visit http://twitter.com/FENSA_windows  and or http://www.Facebook.co.uk/fensafitters

Please take a few seconds and let us know…

Heating side effect

In the summer months we don’t use our heating, but once winter is here, we find the heating is on in the morning and the evening, perhaps even during the daytime? One of the side effects of having your heating on is condensation on your windows.

Turn the heating on...

The problem is the way in which we heat our homes, no longer do we have open fire places and lofty ceilings, rather we have radiators dotted around the house, we have loft insulation and lower ceilings, and we even have nice fitted carpets. All of which mean water vapour cannot escape, so instead it forms on colder surfaces, and that’s on our windows in the form of condensation.

Condensation on some windows but not others

You may find some of your rooms have no condensation in them, while others have water streaming down the inside of your windows. This is due to air circulation and ventilation of rooms. You will find that your “dry” rooms don’t have so much water vapour being generated in them, or they have greater ventilation.

Condensation on the outside of your windows

While we all have experienced some form of condensation, it’s worth remembering that you can get condensation on the outside of your windows too, and just like condensation within your home, this can form on some windows and not others, even if they are right next to one and other. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your windows or that they have been fitted in-correctly. Condensation on the outside of your windows is a natural thing and can be ignored.

Condensation factors and how to address them

There are three factors that can affect condensation:  water vapour content, inside room temperature and outside temperature. We have posted a blog on this not too long ago, and it’s well worth reading if you are suffering with condensation. You can read the post here http://fensafitters.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/condensation-advice/

Consumer protection and disputes. FENSA with The Glazing Ombudsman

The Glazing Ombudsman covers the installation of replacement windows and doors, conservatories and roofline products. It uses the services of The Property Ombudsman to provide the Ombudsman facility. The Property Ombudsman is a member of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association (BIOA).  The Ombudsman is totally independent of contractors and installers members and reports directly to the Glazing Ombudsmen Council which retains a majority of non industry members.

All this means that The Glazing Ombudsmen provides a fair and impartial service for dealing with unresolved disputes between customers and members.

If you are an installer….                                                                

Companies must register to join TGO and as a member, they must follow the Code of Practice set out by TGO. Companies must also provide customers with Deposit and Work in Progress Insurance, if a deposit is paid.

The Glazing Ombudsmen (TGO) is a no frills straightforward scheme for installers and is owned by its members (TGO is a mutual company).

If you wish to join TGO then please visit the website http://www.glazingombudsman.com

If you are a consumer… 

For consumers the service is FREE, providing you have used an installer who is registered with The Glazing Ombudsman (TGO). You can be confident that if there are any issues with the work carried out that there is an effective body to approach to help resolve the issue.

The process to complain to the Ombudsman is simple and hassle-free, and awards compensation to the consumer when appropriate.

Consumer protection

We all want ways to make our lives a little easier and opting for companies that are members of TGO does just that. TGO registration makes it clear to the consumer that the company will operate to a standard of service (detailed in the Code of Practice), and if there are any disputes, that there is an internal complaints procedure. If the dispute is still unresolved, it can then be referred to the Ombudsmen.

When you choose a company for your new windows or doors, look for the logo and check if they are part of The Glazing Ombudsman Scheme…

Essentially a skylight is a double glazing window, and comes within the remit of FENSA if you are replacing an existing skylight.  If it is a new opening, then your skylight installation will need to go through Building Control (this doesn’t come under FENSA’s remit).

Replacement sky light windows are within the FENSA remit

Replacing a skylight

If you are replacing your skylight windows, you will still need to comply with Building Regulations and current thermal performance standards. The fact is skylights are just another window in our home.

Just like any normal window, when coming to sell your property, you will need to provide evidence that your new replacement skylight complies with the building regulations. The easiest way to prove that your skylight complies with the regulations is to have them fitted by a FENSA registered installer, who can certify the work and have a FENSA certificate issued to you.

New skylight 

By installing a new skylight, you are changing the thermal performance of that room and you must still comply with building regulations. However, a new skylight does not come under FENSA’s remit and will need to go through building control.

So good luck if you are planning any new skylights in your house or replacing any existing ones. I am sure they will look great – maybe upload some pictures of the finished windows to our Facebook
page www.facebook.com/fensafitters.  If you have any other questions about building regulations relating to skylights, then please do ask them below and we will do our best to help.

FENSA organises a Focus Discussion Group each year as they help gain a better understanding of installer’s views and perceptions. By taking part in these Focus Groups, you are helping FENSA improve its service offering, beyond the basics of self-certification. Within a small group of 8-12 people, you share your experiences and opinions about FENSA and your views will help FENSA prioritise in 2012.

When and where

Leeds: Thursday 3rd November 2011
Arrivals: 6:45pm, Event begins: 7.00pm, Event ends: 8:30pm

Full location details will be provided upon confirmation of your free space.

Spaces are limited. To participate please email sman@fensa.org.uk or call 020 7645 3715

Post Event

All participants will receive a case of wine or fruit hamper as a token of FENSA’s appreciation for your time.

Talk to us, let us know

Let’s face it, we could always do with help in catching rogue traders, so if you are an installer or a consumer and you believe that an installer is not quite what they claim to be, then please let us know. A good example of this in action is a company based in East London who were not registered as a FENSA installer, but were caught advertising the FENSA logo on their website. This was brought to FENSA’s attention by a homeowner and FENSA reported it to the Trading Standards agency.

Identifying and reporting rogue traders

To make this a quicker process, FENSA provides a quick service via its website that allows anyone, installer or consumer, to check that a company is actually registered with FENSA or find registered installers in your area. You can do this by entering the exact company name http://fensa.org.uk/asp/member_search.asp

In addition, FENSA has a dedicated website aimed at informing consumers on how to spot cowboys, and providing them (and installers) with a quick and simply way of bringing these rogue traders to the attention of FENSA. The dedicated website is http://www.cowboystoppers.co.uk/

Catching the rogue traders

FENSA role

FENSA’s role is enabling companies to self certify compliance with building regulations and disciplining those who are not complying with the regulations. FENSA uses independent inspectors to check on installation work. FENSA also reports companies that practise foul play and posts information on companies that have been prosecuted on its website http://fensa.org.uk/rogueTraders.aspx

Local Authority Building Control departments regularly contact FENSA to consult on installations, or to deal with queries relating to Registered Businesses. With the current economic climate, there is a real worry that consumers will be more tempted to opt for installations that offer VAT free work, cash in hand deals and installations that aren’t backed by guarantees or insurance, all typical traits of cowboys. What’s worse, installations by cowboys may not comply with building regulations, putting consumers at risk and making life tough for them when it comes to selling their home. With this in mind, the role of installers, consumers and the http://www.cowboystoppers.co.uk website has never been more important in identifying, stopping and prosecuting rogue traders.