Insurance Backed Guarantees

PoGee

I'm getting quotes in for new double glazing. 'Proper' companies are expensive so I went looking for a cheaper option but they say their 10 year warranty isn't insurance backed. Can I get this done myself? Is an insurance backed warranty always a good idea? They've also changed their business name, which is putting me off them but they are cheap.
As the guy on TV says, I'm suffering from house-barrassment. I spent my time, money and energy raising kids and working. Finding it difficult to start works on house...

Ebe_Scrooge

When you say "proper" companies, I assume you're talking about Everest, Anglian, etc. ?  They are way over-priced, best avoided.  Ideally you want to find a local independent company, someone who's been in business for a few years.  They will be much cheaper than the big names, but not "cheap & nasty" - just someone who does a good job for a fair price.

A change of business name needn't necessarily be a bad thing - but you're wise to be cautious.  Look them up on Companies House, see how long they've been in business, see if the directors have started up and closed down several businesses in the last few years - that's always a warning sign.

An insurance-backed guarantee (if it's genuine, not just false advertising) is a good thing.  It means that if the company goes bust, the guarantee will be honoured by the insurance company, rather than you having to try and get recompense from a now-defunct company.

FreeBear

Ebe_Scrooge said: An insurance-backed guarantee (if it's genuine, not just false advertising) is a good thing.

I'm having the last few windows & doors replaced here in a couple of weeks. The guy doing the work (as was the one who did the first tranche) is a local independent one man band. Like all the other installers that I asked for quotes from, he will supply an insurance backed guarantee - It is a small additional cost to him, but adds value for the customer.

If you are getting quotes from companies/installers that won't offer insurance backed guarantees, find someone that does. A whole bunch of Everest customers found out the value of "fitting the best" when the phoenix company refused to honour warranties on work they did before going bust in 2020.