For this reason, it is advisable to pay your deposit on credit card, as this will offer you a level of protection should the work not be carried out as agreed.

In addition, there are numerous cases where salespeople have taken deposits for businesses that are about to go bankrupt, or which go bankrupt prior to the contract being fulfilled. By paying on credit card you offer yourself a level of protection, as claiming money from a liquidator can often be a difficult process.

Is the company FENSA registered?

There are over 9000 FENSA registered companies in the UK, and it is advised to go with a company who do use the FENESTRATION - SELF ASSESSMENT as a mean of measuring their work against UK building regulations.

FENSA are currently on a drive to convey to homeowners the benefits of using a registered installer, and whilst opting for a company which is registered does not guarantee a hassle free installation, it does indicate a level of achievement on behalf of the company. Considering the costs involved in installing new windows, this should give you, the customer, some piece of mind in knowing that you are about to use a trustworthy firm.

Can you see examples of the company’s work?

Most, if not all, companies will be happy to show some of their work if you ask them to. But be aware, they are unlikely to take you around a project which has not gone smoothly. For this reason, you could ask your friends and family for their experiences, or check online to see feedback on the firm. When using the internet to check up on a company, keep in mind that people are more likely to report negative experiences than positive ones – a sad fact of life – and, especially in the case of UK wide companies – this can generate an appearance of incompetence where really the overall picture is actually of decent work.

In addition, as with everything on the internet nowadays, companies will use forums to both mislead potential consumers in regard to their successes, and also try to discredit the work of their competitors. James Sytinuyikia