Supragal Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Want to know what all this "Fensa" stuff is. Screwfix sell double galzed units the size I need but apparently we can't buy and fit them ourselves because when we come to sell we need a fensa certificate- what? talk about nanny state. I don't want to pay 100% more for a window!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 I'm not 100% clued up on this, but was explained that when it comes to sell your house if you have a detailed survey you should be able to prove your double glazing was installed by a Fensa approved installer. However I'm not sure if this is accurate since the only people that have told me this are glazing companies that are - guess what - fensa approved installers... Personally I can't see why you'd need to be approved to fit a window - its incredibly simple to screw the fixings correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Try the Fensa Website? When having windows and doors replaced homeowners must ensure that they get a certificate of compliance. This may be obtained from FENSA or from Local Authority Building Control. It'll be even more important when the new rules concerning energy reports when you sell your house come into play as your Fensa certified double glazing is certified to comply with energy saving standards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Just say they were fitted when you bought the place... It's down to the buyers discretion I think.. when we bought our place the sellers had just fitted double glazing, but they didn't have a guarantee or anything... wasn't a deal breaker for us... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 After April 2002 any window installation has to be either certified by FENSA - ie the people that fit the windows are registered FENSA (and will produce a certificate on completion) or in conjunction with building regulations from the council. *cough before 2002 installation cough*? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted August 19, 2006 Author Share Posted August 19, 2006 Problem is I bought it after 2002 and when I got it I got the certificate for the windows that are done... AND all windows are date stamped internally so you can see how old they are!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 It looks like you're going to have to do it then. Although, if you don't and you sell the place without FENSA the buyer's/you can get an indemnity insurance to cover the windows which costs about £30 but I wouldn't recommend this cause it could put people off buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted August 19, 2006 Author Share Posted August 19, 2006 What Pete said... That sounds like you can do it then get it signed off afterwards... hmmm interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Rosie We had huge problems selling the house before last. The problem came down to one window that we had installed and they wanted a guarantee for it but we had a friend who works fitting double glazing and had fitted it as a private job cheaper. It held us up by 6 weeks and we had our buyers threatening to pull out etc. They told the solicitor they didn't care about it but she said she was legally-bound to ensure it was in place and that our buyers mortgage wouldn't be released until it was. The only way we got around it was to say that it was new to our house but it was a second hand window that had previously been in someone else's house- figure that one out! Some areas will require planning permission for double glazing (my sister-in-law lives in a conservation area and she's not allowed it) and some areas brought in rules about building regs but you can apply for that in retrospect. The only thing you may have a problem with is obtaining a guarantee for the fitting-obviously someone is effectively saying that for next ten years they will rectify any faults on a window they didn't fit or supply. First stop -check with your local council as to planning/building regs for your area. Chantelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Sorry-just re-read Charlotte's post. We tried the indemnity route but our buyers mortgage company wouldn't allow it Chantelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Sorry-just re-read Charlotte's post. We tried the indemnity route but our buyers mortgage company wouldn't allow it Chantelle Yeah, it depends on the mortgage provider really. Get this all the time at work (I'm a conveyancer). It's all to do with the CML handbook (lender's rules). Sometimes you can get round it, ie with the larger mortgage providers. This is why it's always a good idea to get the FENSA certification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 OK, response from FENSA Thank you for your email All replacement windows installed since 01/04/2002 must comply with certain building regulations. You may install the windows yourself however you will need to inform the building control department of your local authority to arrange an inspection so that you may receive a certificate of compliance with building regulations. You will need this documentation when you come to sell your property. You would not receive any documentation from FENSA. Regards FENSA Administration So, maybe we'll do this then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Yeh building inspector will check whether they are fitted correctly,and whether the correct type of glass is used (and stamped) where appropriate. Eg toughened safety glass has to be used in certain high risk areas, its the law now. Also i believe the building regulations state that you should be using Pilkington K-glass, id check with the glass place your buying off but im almost 100%certain you are suppost to use the K-glass. Also make sure you fit it as they have a detector they use to tell if its K-glass or not! Once again check with the place your buying off about the regulations, and whether you have to use K-glass and whether it has to be toughened or normal glass! If its not to regs then they obviously wont give you the certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaze Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Yeh building inspector will check whether they are fitted correctly,and whether the correct type of glass is used (and stamped) where appropriate. Eg toughened safety glass has to be used in certain high risk areas, its the law now. Also i believe the building regulations state that you should be using Pilkington K-glass, id check with the glass place your buying off but im almost 100%certain you are suppost to use the K-glass. Also make sure you fit it as they have a detector they use to tell if its K-glass or not! Once again check with the place your buying off about the regulations, and whether you have to use K-glass and whether it has to be toughened or normal glass! If its not to regs then they obviously wont give you the certificate. I used to be a window fabricator-some of this info may have changed in the year i have left the trade... They (Inspectorate) will also check that windows have egress hinges where appropriate So its not just a case of getting windows that fit with K-glass,they have to have certain size openings with the aforemention hinges. By the time you have got had your fabricator make the windows,you have installed them,and the inspector round you may as well have got a FENSA approved installer to do the lot. Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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