double glazing firms - guarantees - bankruptcy

number9

I double glazed my house in June 2001 employing a local firm that had been around a few years. In Sept 2006 I used the same firm again to do the glazing on a new extension.

You guessed it, a couple of months later they went bust.

Looks like the ten year guarantee means nothing then?

The original installation requires work to re stick the trims inside the window and the new stuff needs work in respect of the patio door handles needing replaced.

Am I just unlucky or is there any way I can get this done via insurance or trade body (FENSA??) ?

Bollards

Hi,
When you got your 10 year guarantee was it FENSA backed? If so, then you should be OK, I think, because I asked this question of the firm who installed my double glazing because they were quite old and might retire before the 10 years expired. They said that FENSA would cover it in the event that they were not trading if anything went wrong. I received a special certificate from FENSA following the completion of the work. Hope it works out for you.

derrick

Also if you paid in finance or CC then you can claim from them.

number9

Bollards - will check this out. Firm was part of FENSA but I assume from what you say a certificate for the job is what is required?

Derrick - paid for first lot of windows with loan from Nationwide BS which is paid up in 2 mths. Second phase paid for....

So I guess it's looking a bit bleak for us to get problems sorted free of charge...

number9

I've read this and so I will have to dig out the documentation from the installer before I do anything else...

http://www.fensa.co.uk/faq.aspx

derrick

number9 wrote: »

Derrick - paid for first lot of windows with loan from Nationwide BS which is paid up in 2 mths. Second phase paid for....

Was the loan specifically for the windows, i.e paid to the window company? if so then Nationwide will be liable under Consumer Credit Act.

number9

Derrick - no, just a personal loan which we then used to pay window co.

derrick

number9 wrote: »

Derrick - no, just a personal loan which we then used to pay window co.

We live and learn next time use a credit card to pay at least the deposit as it will give you protection in situations like this.

Have you tried FENSA?
Tel;- 020 76453700, might be worth a phone call.

sashman

Sorry but FENSA is just a registration body, so installers can self certify that the installation (new windows) comply with the current building regs, thats it.

All FENSA registered companies must offer insurance backed warranties but offeten these are to protect against businesses going bust before work has started, not the 10 years you are looking for.

Next time consider the GGF they do protect consumers if their member company fails. www.ggf.org

sashman

Smithills

I agree with Sashman. I got my windows through a Fensa company, then they stopped trading shortly afterwards. Fensa were as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I rang the installers continually for a month, wrote to both the local office, and the head office/factory, checked Companies House- and Fensa's response was " we are unable to contact the company, suggest you go to Building Regs". Well, thanks a lot! Total waste of space.

Grrr- that's a load of messing about, and £70 less for the rest of the house renovation :mad:

grannybroon

We got double glazed about 18 months ago with a very well known company. Firm went into receivership about a year after installation (but now trading again under original name - don't want to name and shame - just in case!). We got a letter to say our 10 year guarantee null and void. But we could take out an insurance with new firm for £150 a year to cover what we thought was warranty! We have decided not to go with that option. We have had severe weather and seem to be wind and water tight. We did about 5 quotes before settling on this company - oh dear!

Here's fingers crossed that we don't have problems! We paid personal cheque.

GB