plastic Window Federation

spinybif_2

I am thinking of buying new double glazing, one supplier claims to be registered with the "Plastic Window Federation". Has anyone heard of them, are they genuine? or just a paid for organisation that anyone can join for a fee ?

Any advice appreciated

Ps The supplier is also FENSA registered which i believe are genuine.

Malestrom

Well i've never heard of them but they have a website and Geoff Capes is on the home page so I wouldn't imagine they are a fly-by-night setup. Of course, any celeb can be bought with a bit of cash as proven by Carol "FirstPlus" Vorderman....

FENSA registration is the important one I think.

woodbutcher_2

I've been involved in the plastic window trade on and off for years and have never heard of them.Doesn't mean they are dodgy though but it's easy to set up a federation.Fensa on the other hand are pukka.

996ducati

Yes, the PWF are a creditable trade organisation.

mexicanwaver

Make sure they are FENSA certified and actually give you a FENSA certificate. Otherwise, you will need to apply to FENSA directly afterwards, at your own expense and with no guarantee that the windows would meet the FENSA standards.

Selling your house is very difficult without a certificate, as the buyer's solicitors will always demand it.

nelly_2

mexicanwaver wrote:

Make sure they are FENSA certified and actually give you a FENSA certificate. Otherwise, you will need to apply to FENSA directly afterwards, at your own expense and with no guarantee that the windows would meet the FENSA standards.

Selling your house is very difficult without a certificate, as the buyer's solicitors will always demand it.

The councill can do the same thing its only 60 quid .. I think.

Rex_Mundi

mexicanwaver wrote:

Make sure they are FENSA certified and actually give you a FENSA certificate. Otherwise, you will need to apply to FENSA directly afterwards, at your own expense and with no guarantee that the windows would meet the FENSA standards.

Selling your house is very difficult without a certificate, as the buyer's solicitors will always demand it.

FENSA is just another trade association (albeit authorised to issue accredited certificates).

You do not need to apply to FENSA for a certificate. If you have a new window fitted by a (non FENSA) builder, or yourself. You can apply to your local council building control. They can issue you with the paperwork/certificate needed to say that your windows comply with part L of the building regs.

I won't mention price because different councils charge different prices.

I've not dealt with the PWF in nearly 25 years in the glass trade. This doesn't make them suspect at all. I've seen many trade associations for glass come and go over the years. This to me is just another one.

I would put more sway on the local reputation of the company over any membership of an association. Trade associations have always been notoriously bad at policing members of their own body.

Much better to rely on reputation/recommendation.

woodbutcher_2

It's 70 quid here if you get your own certification.All a fensa company will do is give you the same certificate and stick it on the bill.They just do the form filling for you and then the council check up on a percentage of their work.