Replacing Windows

thebaldwindowfitter

greenface wrote: »

I'm fensa regd and have been for some time . I gained my stripes a while back being inspected fitting one window that was fairly standard and never been checked since after doing hundreds +++ more windows . I fit with and without FENSA certs for different people inc myself . I fit commercial and chemical buildings . No cert needed . I fit buildings that don't require certs (timber holiday homes / static caravans ) I use the same frames glass screws silicone and care to fit all . If its worth while getting the council involved if your thinking of selling then the extra £99 (wirral)is often money saved not lost . You can fit your own frames and no cert needed . The GGF like to keep things within the own group and have tried this before from memory about 1990 started locally to me with some of the "original" members doing prison for going right against what they were trying to do then. making the smaller tradesmen lose work to larger members . It wont stop the cowboys because they can still buy from suppliers and fit for less . If the people fitting for £1500 less have a decent reputation and the frames are good and youre not planning to move then i would tell people to go for it. One of the worst companies with the worst local reputation around these parts are FENSA regd and god awful on measurements . Profile and fitting . Just my own opinion and experience .

As registered installers ourselves with fensa since 2002 i fail to understand how you as a registered installer also have only had one inspection from fensa and non since that instalation when it is a requirement as part of the scheme to have at least one pre instalation (while installation is taking place) and a post inspection per year .Also with your comments you are encouraging people to break the law

brightontraveller

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

As registered installers ourselves with fensa since 2002 i fail to understand how you as a registered installer also have only had one inspection from fensa and non since that instalation when it is a requirement as part of the scheme to have at least one pre instalation (while installation is taking place) and a post inspection per year .Also with your comments you are encouraging people to break the law

Laws and regulations are different things... Window police :rotfl:? If Fitting own then its down approval from the local Building Control department . Or £35 indemnity when you sell ....

silvercar

bretts wrote: »

Hi all

I am looking to get 2 doors and windows changed in my house, the quotes are about 5k all of them but 2 installers told me we can do 3500 for same windows but without a fensa. I just wanted to know what do we need the certificate for? I know it is something to do with building regs but if we are not planning to sell house in distant future like 10 15 years, is it still needed, when I bought the house it did not come with it.
Just trying to know is it really worth extra 1.5k which is about 30 percent cost.

Ask yourself why it is 1500 cheaper without a fensa cert. The cert itself costs under £100, so how is the fitter making the other 1400 saving?

brightontraveller

silvercar wrote: »

Ask yourself why it is 1500 cheaper without a fensa cert. The cert itself costs under £100, so how is the fitter making the other 1400 saving?

I’d guess its not going through books, not registering = no traceability which is more what these and many schemes are really about not the works done well, correct etc, The government can claim its pound of flesh...

thebaldwindowfitter

brightontraveller wrote: »

Laws and regulations are different things... Window police :rotfl:? If Fitting own then its down approval from the local Building Control department . Or £35 indemnity when you sell ....

building regulations are still put in place to provide some accountabilty for works carried out in a correct manner with members of schemes such as fensa being responsible for carrying out works to the regulations . Indemnity policies vary in cost from solicitors and are not simply £35 as you suggest .I agree that these schemes in part were put in place to stop cash jobs but i feel that they do help remove some of the rogues out of the industry .

thebaldwindowfitter

brightontraveller wrote: »

I’d guess its not going through books, not registering = no traceability which is more what these and many schemes are really about not the works done well, correct etc, The government can claim its pound of flesh...

could it also be no public liability insurance or employer liability incorrect health and safety or even fly tipping

teddysmum

£5000 for just two doors and two windows seems very expensive.


Being interested in having the garage door and windows replaced, I have been looking at flyers (from FENSA registered companies) coming through the letter box and a number specifically quote doors at £450 each, so that leaves £2000 per window !

brightontraveller

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

could it also be no public liability insurance or employer liability incorrect health and safety or even fly tipping

But all could also be said of one fensa registered but non of these mean the works themselves would be inferior, and prices for indemnity may vary ditto solicitor fee,s (personally never found these higher than Fensa fee)

The problem with this as all other schemes are the false sense of security that works are carried out correctly and the practically non existent laws that back up these regulations.
I’d advise get a fensa type cert but its not an insurmountable problem if you don’t ?

thebaldwindowfitter

brightontraveller wrote: »

But all could also be said of one fensa registered but non of these mean the works themselves would be inferior, and prices for indemnity may vary ditto solicitor fee,s (personally never found these higher than Fensa fee)

The problem with this as all other schemes are the false sense of security that works are carried out correctly and the practically non existent laws that back up these regulations.
I’d advise get a fensa type cert but its not an insurmountable problem if you don’t ?

As a member of fensa we have to prove that relevant insurances are in place and also waste transfer licenses .

brightontraveller

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

As a member of fensa we have to prove that relevant insurances are in place and also waste transfer licenses .

Maybe things have changed but it used to and I believe still is the case that you only need prove /show these at time of your membership renewal / inspection by governing bodies like many that doesn’t mean in 1 day 1mth etc they still have them though or has that changed ? Or affect the quality of the installation ?
Or that should a installer cease trading after installation but prior to registering works that you would be covered again like most governing bodies they have there cake sell an illusion all well, How many complaints do you see for these large firms all fensa members).

It would be more beneficial for public and installer alike that an industry wide specific installation method was enforced? Its not so like all the others the sole purpose is a stealth tax on both installer and public alike? I see my post maybe seem like I have a particular dislike for FENSA but truth is I have same disdain for all the schemes electrical, plumbing, gas etc I think they offer both client and companies very little ...