FENSA certificates for new extension

noonamanda

Our exchange has been held up as the buyer's solicitors want FENSA certs. for our 2002 extension windows. I argued that the Building Regs approval covers this. They now want us to pay £245 plus vat for an indemnity policy.
Am I right that this is unnecessary?

TJ27

I think I'd be as annoyed as you are. I am of the same opinion as you that if it's got building regs approval then you should be OK. But I have to confess that I'm no expert.

The building regs people who I work with have special instruments which are able to detect the required glass type. (Is it High emmissivity or low, I can never remember?)

I don't know of any window manufacturers who don't use Pilkington K anyway.

Perhaps you could call the building inspector who passed it and see what he/she says?

robby-01

if you used a fensa registered contractor you can contact fensa and get copies of certs you need

silvercar

if you used a FENSA contractor they would supply the certificates. If you didn't then the procedure is to call in the building inspector team to certify the windows. I would argue that the building cert would therefore cover the windows, as the people that are qualifeid to inspect have issued a cert.

An indemnity is ridiculous. are they afraid someone is going to do a flying visist and take measurements? An indemnity wouldn't cover the cost of putting right anything found wrong, only the loss in value by not having the correct windows/ the correct certificates.

I would be tempted to refuse.

noonamanda

It was a reputable small building firm. The boss is on a two week holiday just at the time we need to exchange and complete! As far as I know they aren't on the FENSA register. I too am tempted to refuse - our other older windows have damaged seals and yet it is our lovely new extension causing the trouble. The buyers also had the cheek to ask our Estate Agents why we didn't exchange today!

rjm2k1

AFAIK FENSA is for replacement windows, building regs are for new windows.

However, try entering your postcode below :-

http://www.fensa.org.uk/asp/certificate.asp

tomstickland

I'd tell them to take a hike.

[Deleted User]

If your installer isn't able to self-certify, you can make an application to Local Authority Building Control for approval under Building Regulations. It is likely that there will be associated charges with this, but probably cheaper than an indemnity. And of course it will delay things...

rjm2k1

Van1971 wrote:

If your installer isn't able to self-certify, you can make an application to Local Authority Building Control for approval under Building Regulations. It is likely that there will be associated charges with this, but probably cheaper than an indemnity. And of course it will delay things...

OP already stated that they have building regs approval.

Doozergirl

rjm2k1 wrote:

AFAIK FENSA is for replacement windows, building regs are for new windows.

However, try entering your postcode below :-

http://www.fensa.org.uk/asp/certificate.asp

That isn't true. I have no idea what the difference between 'replacement' and 'new' windows are. Replacement windows aren't exactly second hand!

What you need is Building Regs Approval, but to save Building Control having to go out and look at every single new window in their area, companies can register themselves with FENSA which shows they operate to the approved standard.

Nice link though

OP, you need to contact Building Regs to confirm that the windows are covered under that certificate, which they will be. You only get one certificate per job and they don't write everything that is covered, but they will have records of having seen the windows.

Your buyer's solicitor is a class pratt.

rjm2k1

From what I remember when FENSA was first setup, it was a way of making replacement window companies catch up with the already more strict building regs. Building regs were much more strict about various things, like closing the cavity, insulation etc etc, replacement companies could just rip out what was there and stick something else in it's place without worrying about it since they weren't building the place from scratch. When building new (eg a new house), building regs apply, I assume that an extension would be counted as new and definatly requires building regs anyway.