Double Glazing On The Web

Are you familiar with this scenario, “he started off quoting X for our conservatory and, after four calls to his manager, came down on his offer by two thirds, but we had to decide immediately and give him a 20% deposit”?

Not surprisingly people are getting wise to this form of pressurized selling, the result is that rising stars in the internet based glazing industry don’t mess around with pricing, they offer one price and one price only - the very best they can offer, with no hidden discounts or schemes and the price is the same if you order one window or ten.

What’s more, you go to them if and when you need new or replacement windows or doors- there’s no knocking on doors or cold calling. Successful double glazing firms in these troubled times, have recognized that to be successful  in today’s very competitive market, the sales pitch and the entire sales process, needs to be as transparent as the windows themselves.

Handy Tip:
When receiving a quote for new or replacement glazing, the quotation should be equally transparent, broken down comprehensively to the nearest 1p. You should be able to see the net cost for a full technical survey, the cost of the frames, the glass in the frames, installation, fixing and even the sealants used.

The effect of the recession on householder’s confidence, coupled with the decline in new builds, is having a knock-on impact on the glazing industry. Fewer new builds means fewer new windows and doors. Fewer home improvements mean fewer replacement windows and doors…

There’s no denying that it’s tough and is going to get tougher, although industry will always find a way to adapt and some are better placed than others to weather the storm. South coast based Double Glazing On The Web for example, is an established glazing firm which recognizes the benefits of the internet in reducing costs and overheads, whilst maximizing their client base.

 Web-based sales provide considerable advantages to the sellers, but more importantly they are very customer driven, making the whole buying experience easier and less invasive to for the client. To find out more visit: www.doubleglazingontheweb.co.uk

This year’s G09 awards will be held on Friday 1st October at the prestigious Wembley Stadium; home of English football and one of the greatest sporting venues in the World. 

G09 is the latest in the G Awards which are now in their 6th consecutive year. The Awards recognise individual and corporate achievements in raising and improving the standards, performance and products of the industry as a whole; glazing, fenestration and relevant construction.

Recognised as the ‘Oscars’ of the glass and glazing business, the G09 Awards will combine with a 3 day G exhibition and the annual conference of the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF), creating what organizers hope will be the most comprehensive industry event to date.

The G Awards include the following 12 Categories
Fabricator of the Year
Installer of the Year
Glass Company of the Year
Conservatory Installer of the Year
Training and Development Award
Customer Care Award
Health and Safety Award -
Energy Efficiency Initiative Award
Promotional Campaign Award
Glass Project of the Year
Social Housing Project of the Year
Specialist of the Year

FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme and with over 9,000 members, it  is very much the regulatory body in the world of glazing. With encouragement from the Government, FENSA was established by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other industry bodies, to monitor and ensure that Building Regulations for England and Wales are enforced and applied.

Any DIY project undertaken by a homeowner, or installation undertaken by a company, which is not registered by FENSA or a similar body,  has to have full Local Authority Building Control approval, which is likely to incur a charge.

Changes to Home Information Packs (HIPs) introduced on 6 April 2009 heighten the importance of using a regulated glazing installer. Sellers now need to provide better information to prospective buyers from the first day a property is put on the market.

FENSA registered businesses can assist with the selling process by reminding homeowners to insert their FENSA certificate into the optional part of HIPs. When the time comes to sell a property, the purchaser’s solicitors will ask for evidence that any replacement glazing installed since April 2002 complies with the Building Regulations. The FENSA building regulations certificate will act as documentary proof of compliance.

To find out more about FENSA click here  or visit www.fensa.org.uk/

Never has the choice between moving to a new home or improving you new one been so relevant; well, not since the early 90’s anyway. Just when we thought the spectre of negative equity had been vanquished, once again it’s raised its head, gloomy as Christmas Past.

What’s this got to do with glazing and front doors you ask? More than you could ever imagine!

In the Spring of 2007 the average cost of moving was calculated as £9,486, a cost triple that of 2004. When these costs are allied to the depressed property market, its hardly surprising that more of us are choosing to improve rather than move. But there’s more to home improvement than just fitting a new front door, or updating your double glazing. Having said that, adding new windows will add an estimated £5,000 to the value of your property.

However, if you’re going to be flashing the ever-dwindling cash, it makes sense to spend it on the improvements that will add the most value - and we can do better than £5,000!

Adding a loft conversion will add an estimated 12.5% to your property’s value, that’s £27,500 on a £220,000 home! The next three most profitable schemes are shown below:

• An extension to create an extra room will add approximately 10.8%, or £23,700 on that average property
• A conservatory will add 6.7%, or £14,740
• A new kitchen will add 4.6% or £10,120

It has to be said that these values are based on national averages, so they may be slightly more or a tad less in your area; still, they are not figures to be sneezed at!

What all of these projects have in common is that they need glazing and doors. The double glazing industry is viewed rather negatively in the UK, hardly surprising given some of the scams that have been highlighted in various media; the hard sells and the over-inflated prices.

Double Glazing on the Web is different. Take a look, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.