Homeowners - Consumer Information
Improving Your Home
When looking for replacement windows, double glazing, Energy Efficient windows, doors or to add a conservatory to your home where do you start?
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is here to help you, we are the trade association that represents over 60% of the home improvement industry by turnover. The GGF's opinion is also regularly sought by Government on Regulation and Consumer issues.
7 Reasons why you should use a GGF Member:
1. Your Deposit is Protected – Deposit Indemnity Scheme
2. All Companies are Vetted
3. Companies work to a Code of Good Practice & GGF Glazing Manual
4. Customer Charter
5. FREE Conciliation Service
6. Conduct is monitored and regulated
7. Your installation will comply with the Building Regulations
1. Your Deposit is Protected – Deposit Indemnity Scheme
Deposits placed with GGF Members are protected by the GGF's independent Deposit Indemnity Scheme, which safeguards deposits up to £3,000 or 25% of the contract price, whichever is lower.
2. All Companies are Vetted
All our Members who supply, fit or install replacement windows, double glazing, Energy Efficient windows, doors and conservatories have been trading for at least 3 years and are vetted to ensure quality of service: this vetting process includes making a site visit to the company's premises, checking 2 years of their accounts and taking up trade and consumer references.
3. Companies work to a GGF Code of Good Practice & the GGF Glazing Manual
All our Members work to a GGF Code of Good Practice and to the Technical Standards laid out in the GGF Glazing Manual
Click here to view the GGF Code of Good Practice
4. Customer Charter
GGF has a Customer charter offering consumers:
• advice on where to buy
• advice on what to buy
• safeguarding of purchases
• quality service at all times
• continued customer care.
Download a copy here
5. FREE Conciliation Service
The GGF also provides a FREE Conciliation Service, should a domestic customer and a Member company not see eye to eye over work carried out. In the rare cases that this does not work, the GGF has an independent arbitration scheme run by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
The GGF's free Conciliation Service is correspondence based for domestic customers of our Members. In the first instance you should write to the Conciliation Manager outlining the cause for concern and do not forget to include a copy of both sides of your contract.
Please send your letter to:
Conciliation Manager ,
GGF,
54 Ayres Street,
London,
SE1 1EU
Note: The GGF has no authority regarding compensation, and so we are unable to provide assistance on this issue. In addition, we are an independent third party and will not be drawn into litigation between the customer and the Member. Consequently if litigation was being used, or threatened then we could not intervene.
6. Conduct is monitored and regulated
The GGF monitors and regulates the conduct of its Members to ensure that customers are treated fairly.
7. Your installation will comply with the Building Regulations
All GGF Members will comply with the Building Regulations when replacing your windows and doors, this includes ensuring safety glazing is installed in critical locations as well meeting the thermal performance requirements for the replacement products. All replacement windows and doors installed within England and Wales need to be registered; this can be done in a number of ways - through registration with a self-certification scheme such as FENSA or through your Local Building Control. A certificate of compliance will be issued, this is required whenever there is a legal transfer of the property by your solicitor.
Further Information
Having a problem with a company that is NOT a GGF Member?
We are sorry our FREE Conciliation Service is only for customers of our Members you should seek advice from your local trading standards office www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/ or Citizens Advice Bureau www.nacab.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm#searchbox
Independent Consultancy Service
If you find yourself in the position of requiring an independent expert the GGF can provide you with an experienced Technical Consultant. For further information and details of costs contact Janet Arnold.
Need more information?
GGF produces leaflets and videos about all aspects of glass and glazing, from how to handle glass safely, to what to consider when having a conservatory built. If you want to know more, look through our Shop