Indemnity for Building Regs?

movingon

Hi,
I had new windows fitted in my house two years ago and was advised by the fitter that Certass certs only added to the price and that if and when I came to sell my house that I should just get an indemnity policy.

My question is that if I get any other windows fitted now, will the policy I will have to buy cover those too, or will I be required to get one policy per uncertified work of any kind when I come to sell?
Thank you

SG27

Your window fitter is a moron. You should have used someone else. You dont have to pay extra for the certificate.

To answer your question one policy will cover all the windows. You will have to pay for the policy. Could be £50- £100 and some solictors kick up a big fuss and scare buyers with things like this so it may not be as simple as just paying for the policy. The buyer may worry about the quality of the work and try to knock money off for potential replacements. The indmnity policy only covers the costs of council enforcement not replairing bad work.

movingon

[QUOTE=SG27;74539777

Your window fitter is a moron. You should have used someone else.

Oh Yes I know that now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I am just wondering if it is worth getting a Certass installer for the new windows as I am already "doomed".

armchaireconomist

If he's told you the price is more with certs he is a liar.


Grand scheme, makes sod all difference. £6,000 or so a year for a certificate to say you can competently put a few screws in and foam the gap.


Get an indemnity policy (will cover all windows)

diggingdude

Report him to trading standards

SG27

movingon wrote: »

[QUOTE=SG27;74539777

Oh Yes I know that now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I am just wondering if it is worth getting a Certass installer for the new windows as I am already "doomed".

Haha not quite doomed but there could be a bit more hassle down the line than there would normally be.

Yes get a certass or fensa installer to do the new windows. At least you will have a certificate for some of them.

movingon

Yes,on balance this seems to be the more pragmatic option. Thank you.

armchaireconomist

No point having FENSA/CERTASS for new windows. When you come to sell you'll need indemnity for the ones currently fitted anyway.


Options are:
- pay over the odds for "legitimate" fitter and for him to further inspect/sign off the old ones (expect some resistance)
- save yourself money now on fitter and buy the indemnity policy you'll need anyway when the time comes.

eddddy

movingon wrote: »

Oh Yes I know that now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I am just wondering if it is worth getting a Certass installer for the new windows as I am already "doomed".

I think you're missing the point.

A Certass or Fensa certificate is evidence that the windows were installed correctly by a competent person, and that they meet building regs.

i.e. The certificate indicates that they are not sub-standard and/or they were not fitted by a cowboy.

Buying indemnity insurance doesn't turn badly fitted, sub-standard windows into well fitted, regulation windows (it just keeps mortgage lenders happy).


So the more uncertificated windows you have in your house, the more a buyer will have to worry about... i.e. the more windows they might worry they'll have to repair/replace in the near future.