The vital checks customers must conduct when choosing a company for new windows, doors, conservatories and extensions
16th August 2024
These pictures should act as a stark warning to ensure you properly research the market before choosing a business to carry out major home improvement projects such as replacing conservatories, widows or doors.
Our team were appalled by the poor quality of workmanship on this replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof which was recently installed for a customer by another business.
The workmen completed the installation in just a couple of hours, but when they left and the customer was able to conduct a closer inspection of their work, she found it to be poorly fitted, untidily finished with parts of trimmings not secured and warped, screws visible and seals scruffily applied.
Outside, the roof was even worse, as flashing tape – which has already torn in places leaving a gaping hole - had been used rather than lead flashing, which is the most suitable for waterproofing, and is also resistant to atmospheric corrosion.
Our team are now helping this customer to rectify the problem and replacing the roof completely – at a discounted cost - as she has decided, understandably, that she doesn’t want the business which has let her down so badly back in her home.
This is a case which has highlighted the need to carry out detailed research before choosing which company to go with.
The customer had specifically searched for a replacement polycarbonate conservatory roof on Google, and then clicked onto one of the companies which was listed.
She was presented with a nice looking website of a business which claims to be specialists in conservatory roof repairs and upgrades, and had a selection of customer testimonials and pictures of completed projects.
It all looks great on first glance, but there were a number of potential warning signs over this business, including;
- No industry accreditations
The home improvements and glazing industry is strictly regulated. Customers should look for accreditations with the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) - the UK’s oldest trade body which is responsible for upholding strict industry standards – and FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme), which signifies it is recognised by the Government as being competent suppliers of products which comply with relevant Building Regulations in the UK.
- Lack of online reviews
There was a distinct lack of visible reviews on online sites.
No Google reviews could be found for the business and it had just one review on the independent site Trustpilot. It’s always best to seek a business which has a large number of reviews, across more than one platform.
Don’t just trust the testimonials on a company’s own website.
- Companies House details
Despite boasting on its website of decades of experience, a quick Companies House search revealed the business had only been established in 2021, and its latest set of filed accounts said it employed just three people.
- No digital footprint
The first thing to do when considering using any business is a Google search.
In this case, yes the company name and website came up following a search, but that was all, and it is highly likely that the business is paying for its adverts to appear.
The business did not come up on Google in any other form.
If there are very few mentions of a business other than its own website, we’d suggest seeking out people who have used the business before and asking if they’d recommend them.
- No social media profiles
In the modern world of social media, it is almost unheard of for a company not to have a presence on social media – with Facebook and Instagram usually used by home improvement and double glazing firms to showcase completed projects and share customer reviews. Obviously, newly established businesses may not yet have much social media presence also, so keep that in mind.
- Warranty and guarantees
Warranties and guarantees on products are a good indication of trustworthy businesses, but of course they are only safe if the company providing them is guaranteed to be around to cover them in the future.
If a business has been around for many years it is obviously a positive sign, but still, a number of double glazing firms have gone out of business in 2023 and 2024, so it’s worth doing due diligence on the business and checking its financial health and credit rating score. 
- Payment terms
In this case, the customer said she felt pressured to make a 25% deposit payment on the day she placed the order, with the salesman saying it would be needed to ‘buy materials’. This was potentially a warning sign in itself of the business lacking funds.
There were no financing options or payment plans available either to make covering the cost easier, an option which can only offered by firms which meet strict financial performance requirements.
Why Choose EYG?
- Founded in 1971, we are one of the largest double-glazing companies in the UK.
- We design, manufacturing and install of a huge range of windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries, home extensions, solid tiled conservatory roofs and garden rooms.
- Our business is founded upon the traditional values of reliability and trust.
- We are debt-free and have an annual turnover in excess of £20m
- We have a 100/100 Experian Credit Rating Score.
- We are a registered FENSA member – the Government’s competent glazing initiative, and a member of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).
- Our products are Secured by Design – a Home Office standard recognising products in the UK which are of sufficient standard to help reduce crime.
