Upvc installation gone wrong?

Adly812

I paid over £1500'to get upvc doors and windows installed into my property by a Fensa approved company. The installation came with a promised 10 year guarantee. I got astragal bars inserted on the windows and doors. Since the installation I've encountered problems with the bars peeling away from the glass and unsticking. I've also got a massive gap in my doors as they shut allowing a huge draught entering into my flat. I've tried to contact the company to try and resolve the issues, only to find the company has been dissolved and no longer exists. I'm concerned and feel at a loss of what to do. As I'm unsure how this effects my guarantee, is it no longer possible to have the guarantee they ensured me? No communication or contact has happened since they installed for me. Please help?

TheCyclingProgrammer

Was the guarantee insurance-backed? If not then I'm afraid it's worthless. If the business has gone under then you won't hear from them again.

You'll need to try and find a local fitter to come take a look. Hopefully your issues can be rectified at low cost. Unless it's been badly measured the door probably just needs adjusting.

Adly812

They were fensa approved. So stated my warrantee did come with insurance! I shall try contact fensa and ask them. Thank you

TheCyclingProgrammer

Smb3088 wrote: »

They were fensa approved. So stated my warrantee did come with insurance! I shall try contact fensa and ask them. Thank you

I think you might have misunderstood what FENSA approved means. FENSA do not provide guarantees. All it means is that the company could certify that the windows were installed in compliance with building regulations without you needing to get them inspected by building control.

It also meant the installer had to offer certain guarantees but unless you have some paperwork that explicitly states that the guarantee was insurance backed then it is absolutely worthless if they've gone under I'm afraid.

http://fensa.co.uk/benefits-to-customers.aspx

EssexExile

You may also find that guarantee, if it is still enforceable, isn't quite the "10 years" it seems. Mine for example is 10 years for the upvc, 5 years for the glazed units, 3 years for any brickwork, 1 year for most other stuff, 6 months for silicone, it goes on...

Doozergirl

Astragals are really just stick on bits. It would be quicker to buy some double sided tape

The door is different.

redmalc

When I had my house Windows and doors replaced the company was Fensa registered and I insisted I got an insurance backed warranty which was under written by the Glass & Glazing Federation which was ok
I note the cost of £1500 mentioned surely that's incorrect for Windows and doors,sounds cheap to me

Adly812

Thanks for the handy advice. Note well received for future!! Get insurance backed. I'm screwed, as the company held the guarantee .. Held being the last word here. Grrr

thebaldwindowfitter

No you are not screwed as a fensa installer all guarantees should be insurance backed and if you contact fensa they should be able to tell you who the guarantee is with .You did get a fensa certificate didnt you ?

TheCyclingProgrammer

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

No you are not screwed as a fensa installer all guarantees should be insurance backed and if you contact fensa they should be able to tell you who the guarantee is with .You did get a fensa certificate didnt you ?

FENSA website says installers must offer a 10 year guarantee but doesn't mention anything about it needing to be insurance-backed?

Even so, though I have no doubt you're correct I guess it doesn't always guarantee (no pun intended) that you'll end up with what you're supposed to!

OP - are you certain your guarantee isn't insurance backed? If you have the paperwork it should say who has underwritten the guarantee.

You can also check on the FENSA website if your job was registered with them and reorder a certificate if necessary.

thebaldwindowfitter

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

FENSA website says installers must offer a 10 year guarantee but doesn't mention anything about it needing to be insurance-backed?

Even so, though I have no doubt you're correct I guess it doesn't always guarantee (no pun intended) that you'll end up with what you're supposed to!

OP - are you certain your guarantee isn't insurance backed? If you have the paperwork it should say who has underwritten the guarantee.

You can also check on the FENSA website if your job was registered with them and reorder a certificate if necessary.

1.2.14. Save where the Registered Business is a PAYG Registered Business, to provide
each customer (other than a Local Authority or Housing Association) with an
Insurance Backed Guarantee policy (conforming to requirements laid down
from time to time by FENSA) to provide cover to the customer should the
Registered Business, for whatever reason, cease to trade.

That is in our terms and conditions for fensa members now i understand your points mentioned above but we play by the rules