More guarantees…more IBGs…more certification… once again, the window and door industry in England and Wales is undergoing major changes in regulations on standards and guarantees.
The bad news is that it will place every window installer – and many other trade sectors – under a whole new raft of legal obligations. Of course, the good news is that more and tighter regs means the cowboy traders are more and more isolated, giving the honest professionals even more chances to prove their integrity to the consumer.
The biggest change is that it will now be mandatory for every Competent Person Scheme member to give every customer financial protection on every installation. It is no longer an option simply to offer an IBG – every homeowner must be given one for every installation.
The changes also see new rules regarding the Minimum Technical Competence or MTC Card, verifying the holder’s abilities in domestic window and door installation and surveying. These changes mean there must be at least one cardholder present at every installation and, with some exceptions, every survey must be carried out by a cardholder. The Department for Communities and Local Government requires that all Competent Person Schemes must verify the competence of all surveyors and installers in this way.
Recently, HomePro, one of the UK’s biggest IBG providers, revealed that as many as 80% of domestic window installation companies surveyed were still not up to speed with the changes. Compliance Manager Jim Keane said this was a very worrying result, especially as any installation carried out under any Competent Person Scheme but not complying with the new rules would not qualify for self-assessment.
He added: “It is quick and easy for installers to register a HomePro IBG and they are widely accepted by self-assessment bodies such as FENSA and CERTASS. If installers take just a few moments to learn the new regs, they can make the most of our IBGs but any installer who gets it wrong may risk not being able to register their work by self-assessment.
“Like any new legislation, it may take a little time for people to get used to it but once they have had time to absorb a few new working practices, everything should fall into place naturally. And of course, any of our customers are welcome to contact us at any time if they need further clarification.”
Some of the main changes at a glance:
- A mandatory IBG covering the product guarantee (see: www.homepro.com/HomeProInsurance )
- The IBG to include mandatory cover against breaches of all applicable aspects of Building Regulations (not just Part L).
- Any IBG not incorporating these changes by the June deadline will not qualify to register installations under self-assessment.
- A MTC qualified installer will need to be present at every installation. Also anyone carrying out a survey will also need to be assessed (unless they can show they are under the supervision of a competent surveyor).
HomePro has been a leading provider of home improvement protection insurance since 2001 and now supplies cover such as its Insurance-Backed Guarantees through a network of more than 3,500 tradesmen throughout the UK, for products including:
- windows, doors, conservatories and roofline,
- solar panels, roofing work and loft conversions
- kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms
- car ports
- …and many other home improvement installations.
Further details of the changes in legislation can be found on www.homepro.com or customers can contact the organisation on 08707 344 344
