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When planning home improvements like installing new windows, doors, or other upgrades, choosing the right company is crucial. Seeing the Certass or FENSA seal of approval can offer peace of mind, as both certifications ensure that you’re working with qualified professionals who meet high industry standards. These accreditations guarantee that you’ll receive top-quality products and services from certified installers. But what exactly do they mean, and how do they differ?
At Express, we proudly hold Certass certification, which underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service. In this blog, we’ll explore both Certass and FENSA in detail, helping you understand which certification best suits your needs
Certass and FENSA are consumer protection certifications that serve as Competent Person Schemes. Their primary role is to ensure that registered installers meet high standards of training and competence, provide deposit protection, and offer insurance-backed guarantees. This gives consumers peace of mind, protecting them from substandard workmanship and non-compliant installations.
- Certass (Certification and Self-Assessment) takes a comprehensive approach to building improvements. Formed in 2006, it was one of the original Quality Mark certification bodies and was officially approved by Parliament in April of that year. Certass not only covers windows and doors but also extends its certification to a broader range of building improvements.
- FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) focuses on replacement windows, doors, roof lights, and roof windows. Established in April 2002, FENSA was the first Competent Person Scheme for the window and door installation industry in England and Wales. This pioneering scheme was designed to streamline compliance with building regulations for window and door installations, setting the benchmark for industry standards and consumer protection.
Both Certass and FENSA are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which ensures that organisations certify their members impartially and according to established standards. This accreditation provides confidence to all stakeholders, including customers, industry professionals, and the government. Installers registered with either certification must adhere to strict guidelines and undergo regular assessments to ensure high-quality work. At Express, our Certass certification guarantees that our products and services meet the highest standards of quality. Whether you’re interested in bespoke bi-folding doors, aluminium windows, or flat roof skylights, you can trust that with us you’re receiving the best in craftsmanship and reliability.
The Importance of Certification
When replacing windows or doors, having proper certification is essential. It ensures the installation complies with building regulations and helps prevent potential issues in the future. To guarantee compliance, your installer should be accredited by a Competent Person Scheme such as Certass or FENSA. If the installation isn’t certified, local authorities may require expensive modifications or removal, and you could face fines or enforcement actions. Even if you choose to self-certify, the work must still meet regulations. In this case, a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (BRCC) will be issued by a UKAS-accredited body like Certass or FENSA, confirming the work meets the required standards.
Building Control Regulations
While it’s not a legal requirement for window and door installers to be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme, it is illegal to install double glazing without building regulation approval. Under Part L of the Building Control Regulations, replacement windows and doors with 50% or more glazing must come with a certificate from FENSA, Certass, or Local Authority Building Control. If your installer isn’t registered with a certification scheme, you’ll need to obtain this approval separately.
Certass and FENSA simplify this process by ensuring their certified installers meet current building regulations. This eliminates the need for a separate inspection by local authorities, while also providing added benefits like deposit protection and insurance-backed guarantees.
For more details on building control regulations, feel free to visit one of our showrooms and chat with our team about your options.
Highly Qualified Contractors
Installers registered with Certass or FENSA go through strict training and assessments to meet high industry standards. This ensures they are skilled in adhering to building regulations, safety protocols, and energy efficiency standards. Both certifications require ongoing evaluations, guaranteeing that contractors consistently perform at a high level. By hiring a FENSA or Certass-registered installer, you’re assured of quality workmanship and professionalism, ensuring your home improvement project is completed to the highest standards.
Simplifies Selling Your Property
Having a Certass or FENSA certificate is crucial when selling or remortgaging your home, as it proves compliance with building regulations. These certifications reassure buyers and lenders that installations, such as windows or doors, meet legal and energy efficiency standards. They help speed up property transactions and mortgage applications, reducing potential delays and ensuring your home is market-ready. Without these, you may face complications during the sale or remortgaging process.
What’s the Difference?
While both certifications offer consumer protection and quality assurance, there are a few differences worth noting.
- Age and Membership: FENSA is older by four years and currently has a larger membership base. However, Certass is growing rapidly, with membership numbers on the rise, while FENSA’s are in slight decline.
- Scope: Certass offers a broader certification that covers a wider range of building improvements, whereas FENSA focuses specifically on windows and doors.
- Deposit Protection: Both schemes originally provided deposit protection, but FENSA temporarily suspended this requirement for its approved installers in May 2020 due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Certass still requires its members to offer deposit protection.
- Assessment: Membership assessments vary between the two. FENSA mandates post-installation inspections, whereas Certass relies on a self-certification process, reinforced by regular audits to maintain consistent quality.
- Green Homes Grant: Certass is a Green Homes Grant-approved certification body due to its TrustMark status. While FENSA has also offered limited PAS 2030 training sessions for installers participating in the Green Homes Grant Scheme, Certass’ broader role in the scheme is an advantage for consumers seeking energy-efficient improvements
Ultimately, both certifications offer excellent consumer protection. The choice may come down to personal preference or the specific services your project requires.
Certass Certification: The Choice Made by Express
At Express Bi-Folding Doors, we proudly hold Certass certification to provide our customers with the highest level of consumer protection. As a Certass-registered installer (membership number: 002008), we undergo continuous vetting to ensure we meet and exceed all industry standards. A percentage of our installations are examined by Certass-appointed inspectors to verify compliance with building regulations. Upon completion of each project, Certass informs the local authorities and issues a compliance certificate to the homeowner, ensuring that all work has been carried out to the highest standards. As a Certass-certified company, we also provide homeowners with insurance-backed guarantees. In addition to our standard 10-year warranty, separate guarantees cover various aspects of the installation, including sealing, hardware, paint, and surface treatment.
So, Which Should I Choose?
Both Certass and FENSA offer strong consumer protection and ensure high standards for window and door installations. FENSA’s longer history and focus on windows and doors have established it as a key player, while Certass has gained and continues to gain significant traction with its broader scope and commitment to comprehensive certification.
Choosing Express for your renovations means working with a partner that values compliance, quality, and customer satisfaction. Our Certass certification not only reflects our commitment to excellence but also offers you peace of mind with a thorough vetting process and insurance-backed guarantees on request.
To explore how our Certass accreditation benefits you, visit one of our showrooms. Our expert team is ready to help you find the perfect solution for your home, backed by over a decade of certified experience. For more information, contact us today or download our free product brochure to see our range of high-quality, bespoke products.
