FENSA, is it required?

PRDMKT

I’m wanting to change the existing fenestrations on my property, like for like, but changing the colour to anthracite. I have previously used a great company that’s supplies building regulation compliance certificates, however, would this be enough? I also know a great tradesman, but he is really busy and I would rather do it myself and save some money on the installation.

are there any other hoops to jump or is the building reg cert enough? 

Doozergirl

A building regulations certificate is better than FENSA, really.  

Fensa is a self-certification scheme to show compliance with the regulations.  A building control completion certificate is the result of an independent inspection.  

PRDMKT

Doozergirl said:

A building regulations certificate is better than FENSA, really.  

Fensa is a self-certification scheme to show compliance with the regulations.  A building control completion certificate is the result of an independent inspection.  

If I was to DIY the windows that come the compliance certificate would I also need to get building control to come out and inspect? 

Nobbie1967

PRDMKT said:

Doozergirl said:

A building regulations certificate is better than FENSA, really.  

Fensa is a self-certification scheme to show compliance with the regulations.  A building control completion certificate is the result of an independent inspection.  

If I was to DIY the windows that come the compliance certificate would I also need to get building control to come out and inspect? 

Yes, the windows have to meet regulations and the installation of them also has to meet regulations which building control,will,check when they inspect prior to issuing a completion certificate. I just installed mine and ignored the paperwork. Worst case I buy an indemnity policy when I come to sell. Didn’t want to have trickle vents as my house is leaky enough already.

FreeBear

Nobbie1967 said: Didn’t want to have trickle vents as my house is leaky enough already.

Trickle vents are not mandatory. Building Regulations only specifies "background ventilation" which can be achieved in a number of ways.

There are also a couple of cop-out clauses - If the window faces a source of high noise (e.g. a main road), trickle vents do not need to be fitted. If you are only replacing a few windows (less than 30% ?), again, trickle vents are not needed (unless the old windows had them).

Chickereeeee

Nobbie1967 said:

PRDMKT said:

Doozergirl said:

A building regulations certificate is better than FENSA, really.  

Fensa is a self-certification scheme to show compliance with the regulations.  A building control completion certificate is the result of an independent inspection.  

If I was to DIY the windows that come the compliance certificate would I also need to get building control to come out and inspect? 

... Didn’t want to have trickle vents as my house is leaky enough already.

Close the trickle vents?

rob7475

You "should" have the installation inspected to make sure it is done to regs. Either a Fensa accredited installer or a fee to your local council and a building control visit.

If you don't, the worst case scenario is you will be asked for an indemnity policy if you come to sell the house. The last time I had to do this, it cost me £12 for the policy. I think the council wanted £180 to come out and tell me the windows were fine and give me a certificate so I went down the indemnity policy route.

moneysaver1978

Would a buyer not be wary or the sale process taking longer than necessary?

For the sake of a FENSA installer or a BC fee, it seems a lot less than hassle than buyers wanting to knock thousands because your windows don't have FENSA. The buyers could take out an indemnity policy but again that seems more hassle.

RoughNeck

I'm not sure if this will be of any use, but we had 12 windows replaced earlier this year. A carpenter friend did them for me, which saved me a fair bit when compared to window companies. I know the standard of his work, which is good, he just wouldn't be able to provide a Fensa certificate. I Googled to see whether a Fensa cert was required by law, and I didn't find anything to tell me it was required. We're unlikely to move from here for a while, so we just went with it.

My question would be, if you liked another house and you were interested in buying it, would you be put off if it didn't have a Fensa certificate? Would you care? When we bought this place, there was no mention of a certificate for any doors or windows. Nothing came of it. Purchasing this place was highly competitive, so it doesn't sound like many others would care much for the cert either. Sometimes I think we're made to believe these things are more important than they are. I had the bonus of having a friend install ours. If someone I didn't know installed them and they were unable to provide a Fensa, then maybe I'd be asking more questions - more around their workmanship than anything else.

Doozergirl

RoughNeck said:

I'm not sure if this will be of any use, but we had 12 windows replaced earlier this year. A carpenter friend did them for me, which saved me a fair bit when compared to window companies. I know the standard of his work, which is good, he just wouldn't be able to provide a Fensa certificate. I Googled to see whether a Fensa cert was required by law, and I didn't find anything to tell me it was required. We're unlikely to move from here for a while, so we just went with it.

My question would be, if you liked another house and you were interested in buying it, would you be put off if it didn't have a Fensa certificate? Would you care? When we bought this place, there was no mention of a certificate for any doors or windows. Nothing came of it. Purchasing this place was highly competitive, so it doesn't sound like many others would care much for the cert either. Sometimes I think we're made to believe these things are more important than they are. I had the bonus of having a friend install ours. If someone I didn't know installed them and they were unable to provide a Fensa, then maybe I'd be asking more questions - more around their workmanship than anything else.

I quite like the reassurance of knowing that no one is going to fall through a plate glass window and that my openings are good in the case of a fire.  

Might just be me!  

FreeBear

RoughNeck said: I Googled to see whether a Fensa cert was required by law, and I didn't find anything to tell me it was required.

As the property owner, you are required to notify Building Control of any works that fall within their remit. Replacement windows is just one of many notifiable works. Failure to notify BC could result in enforcement notices being issued, and if not complied with, fines on top. Recent changes to legislation now means councils have up to 10 years to issue enforcement notices.

The advantage of using a FENSA or CERTASS registered installer is that they do all the necessary paperwork, inform the local council, and issue a certificate. But if you are fitting new lintels after making an opening bigger, that would need BC involvement.