Why You Should Always Ask for a FENSA Certificate

Meet your
FENSA Advisor

This is Harry.

You might recognise him from our TV ad.

Harry works for a FENSA Approved installation company. He's on a mission to help professionalise installers and protect homeowners across the UK, so he started this advice column.

A FENSA certificate isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a need-to-have. Because the certification means you’re working with a professional company that will meet two legal requirements and provide you with an important level of protection. Most people haven’t the time, knowledge or inclination to check these three things themselves. So, what are they?

A FENSA certificate is your assurance that the installer who fitted your windows or doors has complied with Building Regulations. It also means that your installation(s) will have been registered with the Local Council. These are legal requirements and proof of them is essential when selling your home.

In addition, FENSA certificates issued after 6 June, 2014 verify that the installer’s warranty is insured. Reassuring to know if anything goes wrong, and the business gets into trouble.

So remember: you’re not just asking for a FENSA certificate. You’re asking if that window or door installer you’re thinking about using is professional, will comply with Building Regs, register your installation, and offer an insured warranty.

That’s why we say the FENSA certificate is all the proof you need of a job done right.

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What to check before appointing an installer

Check that you use a FENSA Approved Installer but also check the following:

Ask family and friends who have used installers about their satisfaction and whether they got a FENSA certificate.
Check the installer's references by talking to their previous customers.
Get at least three quotes and check you are being quoted like for like.
Cheapest is not always best and good contractors are always in demand.

Get quotes, timeframes and the fact that you will get a FENSA certificate all in writing. A proper written contract with an agreed completion date will help prevent confusion later on
Check the warranty on the installer's work and ensure they have enough insurance to cover their warranty. Domestic glazing installers that are registered with a competent person scheme like FENSA are legally obliged to provide warranty insurance to cover your installation should the company cease to trade within the life of the warranty.