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When surveying windows and doors, you will need to check you have complied with the latest building regulations, which were brought into force last April (2002) specially to regulate the industry and to give the consumer greater protection. This is done via 2 ways:

1. If you are going through building control as a new build or an extension, then the architect will have specified the windows along with the finished project, and would be signed off in the normal manner. If however this is a replacement window and door installation then you will need to go through building control, pay the required application fee to have your proposed installation agreed. After completion of the new windows and doors they will inspected and issue compliance papers from the local building control department...... Alternatively......

2. If you join FENSA (a self governing scheme) then you can self certificate your own work and by-pass building control in order to qualify as a approved FENSA installer you will receive a minimum of 2 inspections from the BBA a year; one face to face so that they can qualify you understand the new regulations, one random inspection from installations completed to be retro checked for compliance. You will also need a contract which covers data protection and a cooling off period for your customer along with a £2 million Public Liability Insurance (which covers your customers and others against accidents) and a £10 million Employer Liability Insurance in case someone working for you should fall or injure themselves on site.
Each installation must be registered with the total installed value and the number of items fitted. From this the certificate and 10-year guarantee will be generated and sent direct to your customer.

This process ensures that the customer is receiving a product and installation compliant with building regulations and a guarantee backed by an insurance company during the 10-year guarantee period, and of course to bodies that are independent of the installer FENSA Guidance Notes (4) - Providing Means of Escape. Escape in the case of Fire is a key criteria when replacing a window.Click here to view a simple flow chart to explain it in more detail