In 2010 Which? posed as a potential double glazed windows and doors customer, and asked Anglian, Everest, Safestyle, and Weatherseal/Zenith Staybrite to visit at least four addresses each across Britain, and give them a quote for double glazing. The Which? “probe finds false claims from big firms’ reps.”
According to the report on their findings on the Which? website, their undercover investigation found that “some salespeople in the £1.2bn-a-year industry were making dodgy claims – such as saying they were part of a government scrappage system that doesn’t exist – and pressurising people with discounts into signing up.”
Sadly for the double glazing industry the “Which? experts were astounded by the tactics used”, which included:
a) six out of 18 salespeople made misleading claims, such as ‘We’ve been tested by the government and were chosen for its scrappage scheme’ by an Anglian salesperson
b) seven out of the 18 salespeople offered a discount if the undercover researcher signed up immediately
fifteen out of 18 offered significant savings, often half the ‘original’ price – the biggest drop was £16,926 from an Everest salesperson
c) many of the salespeople offered a lower price with a ‘credit deal’
Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of Which?, says: ‘As a homeowner, replacing your windows is one of the most expensive jobs you’re likely to face, which is why we’re so disappointed to discover salespeople from the biggest names in the double glazing business making outlandish claims and using hard sell tactics.’
I deplore all hard sell tactics, which continue to give the double glazing industry a bad name and unfairly tar many reputable local independent double glazing manufacturers and installers with the same brush, even though many have a genuine “no pressure promise” like Hazlemere Window Company in High Wycombe, Bucks. I find that the unprofessional behaviour (as exposed in the Which? probe) of some individual sales persons representing the “Nationals” actually is counter productive, driving customers away, as it is my experience that no customer wants any form of pressure applied to them when facing such an important investment decision – I certainly don’t!
Consequently, I am proud to work for a family run firm that does not tolerate any hard sell tactics, plus prides itself on being more than happy to leave a detailed written quotation with a customer for them to consider in their own time, and in their own space. Plus customers can browse unpestered seven days a week through our home improvement showroom on Cressex Business Park, seeing what they are going to get in relaxed environment before having to make any form of commitment.
This rather damming report on the national double glazing companies carried out by Which? serves as a reminder that there is sadly far too many selfish, pushy and uncaring people still working for the big boys. What I don’t understand is why don’t the National double glazing companies exposed by Which? clean up their representative’s acts? Surely they must see the damage it is doing to their brands and the entire industry? Maybe they don’t care about the industry or their repuation? Well boys and girls, as William Shakespeare wrote “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (Hamlet Act 1 Scene 4) and needs sorting – fast!
CATAGORY|Commerce, Conservatories, Windows & Doors
With the recent announcement of changes to Part L of the Building Regulations to come into effect on 1st October 2010, it is important that all UK property owners are made fully aware of how the proposed changes will impact the specification of glazing in both domestic and commercial developments and how glass manufacturers Pilkington Building Products is responding to the requirements.
The Government’s Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) made five key changes in relation to glazing. These are:
• significant reductions in target carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for all new buildings
• tighter requirements for Window Energy Ratings (WERs) in replacement glazing
• greater restrictions on the use of centre pane U-values in measuring compliance
• recognition of the benefits of supplementing existing single glazing with low-e secondary glazing
• increased focus on the risk of overheating in summer
The full details of the changes affecting glazing in Part L 2010 are summarised in a downloadable PDF bulletin 10 produced by Pilkington
Pilkington developed this bulletin to provide a comprehensive summary of the new Part L regulations for England and Wales. It outlines the significant changes and detail the implications for new and existing dwellings, new and existing buildings other than dwellings, conservatories, historic buildings as well as information about how to limit the effects of solar gains in summer.
The new rules and regulations will have an impact on the design and specification process. Navigating this can be made easier by knowing which products will help achieve compliance. For replacement windows, the requirements for Window Energy Ratings and window U-values have been tightened. Greater restrictions are placed on the centre pane U-value compliance route and the benefit of supplementing existing single glazing with low-e secondary glazing has also been recognised. Energy efficient glazing such as Pilkington K Glass™ and Pilkington energiKare™ can satisfy these requirements. For non-dwellings, there will be a greater focus on limiting solar gains in the summer, high performance solar control glass such as Pilkington Suncool™ and Pilkington Eclipse Advantage™ will make it easier to achieve compliance. Find more information about each of these products visit www.pilkington.co.uk or for more on Part L visit www.hazlemere.co.uk
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
Aluminium P Shape Conservatory Built By Hazlemere in 2010
The truth is that without submitting either a planning application to your local authority’s planning department to build a conservatory at your property or an application for a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development you will not really know 100% for sure.
Despite this, you can ask your local planning department for their written opinion on whether it would be likely to consent or not to you building a conservatory on your land/house. Whilst having such a letter is usually a good “indication” whether or not your local authority would be mindful to grant planning permission, it is important you appreciate that a letter giving an “opinion” does NOT constitute planning consent. Once you read the small print and caviats, you will realise the only way to be certain is to apply for planning permission or obtain a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development (the latter is not as expensive or time consuming).
However, many local authorities have their own rules, and some can interpret the planning laws more strictly than others, so just because one planning department does one thing, it does not necessarily mean that another council will do the same. Hazlemere Conservatories have professional surveyors and conservatory designers that are in daily contact with many local authorities throughout the region, so has expert up-to-date knowledge of what your local authority is likely to permit, or not! As Hazlemere has been building bespoke double glazed conservatories for over 25 years, it has the expertise to submit a planning application with the greatest chance of getting you what you want i.e. consent to build a conservatory on your property that will add value to your home and increase your living space.
There are cases where the professionals at Hazlemere can determine that you don’t require planning permission, by checking whether or not you do a) have permitted development rights and b) if you have, that you still have sufficient of them left to build the size of conservatory you want to build in the position you want to build it. Sometimes it is not possible to build a conservatory where you want it due to Thames Water Sewers/Drains, tree preservation orders, conservation areas, listed buildings or too close proximity to neighbouring properties line of sight etc. If you do have a Thames Sewer manhole cover(s) in the area you would like to build a conservatory, it is likely you will either need to obtain a Thames Water Build Over Agreement prior to commencing works (which involves additional time and costs) or design your conservatory around it.
If your property does not have any permitted development rights, or has used them all up, this does not mean that you will not be granted planning permission, but certainly means you legally cannot build one without submitting a planning application and obtaining consent. I have come across cases where some householders have “jumped the gun”, getting themselves in both legal and financial hot water, all because they had not either a) bothered to research the planning laws, or b) deliberately ignored them!
Hazlemere Conservatories will not start building an aluminium or UPVC conservatory until it has a) determined beyond doubt that no planning permission is required, or b) obtained a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for your home, or c) obtained planning permission to build a conservatory, the size and design you are happy with at your property. As we find that the vast majority of conservatories we build do require planning permission, my strong advice is to make sure you do all the search necessary for your particular property, and get written permission before starting any works.
CATAGORY|Conservatories
1. Remember nothing is “free”
Nothing is free, so whatever the inducement be it “free” installation, no VAT (which of course legally has to be paid by the company you buy from if they are VAT registered), even scrappage schemes, they all might sound good but they all have to be paid for, so will therefore be built into the price of the windows or the “extras”. Ensure you compare a like for like final fitted price.
2. Negotiate
Whether it is on price, or on specification, negotiate to get the best product within your budget, it is always worth trying to explore the options to ensure you are comfortable with the investment decision you come to.
3. Trade windows and doors
If you don’t mind taking a risk, there is a real saving from buying from trade counters and getting a builder to install your windows. However, if anything does go wrong, it is likely to be the fitting, so if you prefer peace of mind then “supply only” is not the way to go, as you should get a far better and longer guarantee on both the product and installation, if you have your windows supplied and fitted by a manufacturer.
4. Be wise about energy savings
You don’t have to get the most expensive windows to get a decent return on your investment, energy savings wise, which is why I personally always recommend buying band “C” energy rated windows. According to Pilkington Glass the money you will save on energy, by buying “A” rated windows rather than “C” rated, is around £600 over 20 years, depending on the size and type of property you have. It is likely your initial outlay to buy “A” rather than “C” rated windows will be greater than £600 anyway, so unless you are happy paying the extra to reduce carbon emmissons (as whilst “C” and “B” are highly thermally efficient, “A” rated windows is obviously the best in that regard), then “C” is currently your better financial option.
5. Conservatories
If you are prepared to do your own groundworks, or know a good trustworthy local builder it may be cheaper to either, do the base yourself, or get a builder who will offer you a guarantee to do the foundations, concrete floor and any dwarf brick walls. If you do go down this route, ensure the base and walls are built exactly to the conservatory manufacturer’s drawings and specifications, as it will end up costing you a packet if they are not, so again weigh up if you are prepared to take the risk or pay a premium to deal with one well established double glazing supplier and installer who offer you the peace of mind you will get by ensuring you get a high quality long lasting product and a decent guarantee that actually means something.
6. Be very wary of cheap windows
Avoid cheap windows, look at the window company, ask yourself how long have they been around and if you are 100% certain they will be around to correct any manufacturing defects or problems with the fitting. It is always a false economy to buy cheap, instead go for a high quality product at the best price you can.
7. Get it right first time
Changing your windows is costly, potentially slightly disruptive and can be time consuming if anything goes wrong, so make sure you get the design and style right first time to avoid changing it in a few years or having problems selling your home if you opt for a frame colour or look that does not suit the house/road. If you are staying in the property for some time it make be worth investing in energy efficient windows or acoustic glass if you live next to a noisy road, railway, school or airport.
8. Bargain, bargain, bargain
This may seem obvious, but I am afraid if you don’t ask (i.e. the right questions, in the right way) you often will not save as much as you could.
9. Buy at the best time of year
If you can wait for new windows, doors, or even a conservatory, the best time to buy is usually around the beginning of December, as this is the quietest time for most UK double glazing companies.
10. Be wary of representatives who put you under pressure
Most national double glazing companies build in massive discounts (and margins!) into their prices to help them afford to advertise and market nationally, whilst paying huge commissions to their commission only sales forces. It is likely the representative you first see will be under pressure to get you to sign before leaving your home. If you do manage to avoid signing on the dotted line expect a call from the sales manager, who normally is also on commission, who may well offer you part of the reps commission to “encourage” you to order.
It is better for you to look for an established local firm with a good name who a) do not use sub-contractors, b) do not build in discounts, and c) whose first price will often be a genuine quote, with anything you can negotiate off, coming out of their smaller margins. Remember, whilst there is always a deal to be done, it does not always have to be on price, it can be on specification.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
Aluminium P Shape Conservatory Built By Hazlemere in 2010
I don’t know about you, but whatever the product is that a company is promoting or selling, I am always wary about testimonials from “satisfied customers”. Some testimonials one reads about or sees on the TV seem to me to be too good to be true, or too perfect. Maybe it is just me, but I am always sceptical about certain “claims” of some companies about their products.
So why should you believe anything I say about Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories? All I can do is give you my word that I have personally been to all thirty-two of the installations featured on the customer testimonials page on the Hazlemere Window Company’s website, the proof being that it was in fact myself that took the 62 different photos over the last two years of the double glazing products that we supplied and fitted. In addition, each satisfied customer featured has kindly signed a release to allow us to use the images I took, and provided Hazlemere Windows with the written testimonials you see alongside each particular installation. If you would like to pop along to our 4,000 square foot High Wycombe showroom in Buckinghamshire, I would be delighted to show them to you if you would like to see them for yourself.
If you still don’t believe me, you can always ask the customers themselves, or other customers you know have had aluminium or UPVC windows, doors or a conservatory supplied and fitted by Hazlemere. I am proud and delighted that every one of the twenty-nine installations featured on our website is a) genuine and, b) by a satisfied Hazlemere customer, pleased enough with both our products and service to recommend us to others. View and read what 32 different customers think about Hazlemere Window Company
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
With more than 20,000 satisfied customers over the last 25 years, Hazlemere Window Company must be doing something right! It certainly helps that they are independent double glazing manufacturers, supplies and installers of bespoke high quality replacement aluminium windows, doors, conservatories and curtain walling, with a reputation for hard wearing durable good looking products.
Some of Hazlemere Windows Staff Outside their High Wycombe Cressex Showroom
Another reason why customers choose Hazlemere Windows is their 4,000 square feet home improvement showrooms within their 56,000 square feet premises on Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe, Bucks. Clients can not only see the products they will have installed before they order them, but have the reassurance of being able to compare what they do get to what they chose. All Hazlemere window, door and conservatory customers also benefit from their fully comprehensive ten year product and installation guarantee.
Hazlemere Windows were established in 1985, so have 25 years of experience and expertise, supplying and fitting UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories, as well as UPVC cladding, guttering, fascias and soffits. The Hazlemere Group also supplies and fits made to measure commercial and domestic blinds, garage doors, flyscreens, plus manual and remote control awnings and canopies. The Hazlemere Group is family owned and run, and is now a major employer in the region, employing designers, consultants, surveyors, fabricators, installers and service engineers. View some recent customer testimonials
Its product range includes french doors, sliding patio doors, front and back doors, composite doors, commercial doors, UPVC doors, aluminium doors, replacement double glazing, UPVC conservatories, aluminium conservatories, vertical sliding sash windows, horizontal sliding sash windows, box sash replacement windows, bi-folding aluminium sliding doors, aluminium casement windows and UPVC windows.
Hazlemere Garage Doors supplies and installs quality bespoke electronic remote control and manual GRP garage doors, steel garage doors, wooden garage doors, ABS Garage doors, up and over garage doors, side hinged garage doors, roller shutter garage doors and insulated sectional garage doors.
Hazlemere Windows offers free professional home improvement help and advice, no obligation quotations and a free initial site survey. You can contact them on FREEPHONE 0500 011561 or by email info@hazlemere.co.uk or visit their website www.hazlemere.co.uk
Their head Office, factory and showroom (which is open seven days a week) is located on Wellington Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3PR OPENING HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm; Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 10am-1pm
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
This week finally saw the publication by the UK Government of the new Building Regulations for existing and new dwellings. I downloaded the online version of L1B “Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings” as these major changes come into effect now for all property owners in England and Wales who will be installing windows and doors from 1st October 2010. The main purpose of these far more onerous requirements is to legally obligate UK home owners to fit high performance energy efficient energy saving windows and doors if on or after 1st October 2010 they a) replace existing any windows/doors, b) have an extension or c) build a new premises. There is currently no obligation to replace existing windows, even if old highly inefficient single glazed rotten windows, although who is to say that the incoming Government will not introduce a requirement for property owners to install energy rated double glazed windows in order to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, cutting energy consumption and heating bills.
Having had a brief look at the approved documents L1B on conservation of fuel and power, the big change as far as replacement windows and doors is concerned is that any windows installed on or after 1st October 2010 must now have a Window Energy Rating (WER) of at least band C (currently E) or a combined U Value of 1.6 W/m2K, and doors a combined U Value of a maximum of 1.8 W/m2K. There appears to be a (yet to be fully explained) exception where replacement windows can not meet above for appearance or building character reasons, where a centre page U Value of 1.2 W/m2K may be accepted. The exemption applies only where the energy efficiency requirements would “unacceptably alter the character or appearance” of existing dwellings. However, I suspect this will literally be the exception, rather than the rule!
Another requirement of L1B for existing dwellings is that insulated cavity closers should be fitted by installers where appropriate. Other things that are of note include the fact that whilst the Window Energy Rating method of compliance is now established as shown in both the HM Government L1B and L2B approved documents for new and existing dwellings there is an additional U value method added to L1B as requested by the double glazing industry. However this has been set at 1.6 W/m2K which is extremely stringent given that most A rated windows are at this level.
At one time it was proposed that conservatories less than 30m2 be included in this revision of the building regulations, but thankfully for anyone looking to build a conservatory next few years it looks like common sense has prevailed and conservatories under 30m2 still keep their exemption, conditional on all the existing external windows, doors and walls being retained or replaced, plus the property’s existing heating system not being extended into the conservatory.
Fortunately, Buckinghamshire based Energy Saving Trust members, Hazlemere Window Company has been manufacturing, supplying and fitting “A” rated aluminium windows since they became the first UK double glazing company to design and install a dualframe “A” rated aluminium window back in 2007. Since then Hazlemere have been supplying and installing both UPVC and aluminium A rated, B rated and C rated double glazed windows – all of which have been certified, tested and approved by the British Fenestration Rating Council who issue the Window Energy Ratings (WER’s). These energy saving, thermally efficient products have also been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust. Download a Factsheet about the 2010 changes to Part L of the Building Regulations explaining how these affect you and your property now
If you would like free expert help and advice regarding the implications for your particular property of the higher energy performance standards required by any fenestration products you need to install in your property (be they replacement double glazed windows and doors or windows and doors for an extension/new build) on or after 1st October 2010, why not Freephone one of Hazlemere Windows and Doors experienced consultants on 08000 825825
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
Independent Buckinghamshire based double glazing manufacturers, suppliers and installers, Hazlemere Windows, have more than tripled the amount of factory and office space they own in Wellington Road, on Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe.
The Hazlemere Group have achieved this substantial expansion and growth by purchasing the next door premises to their existing 18,000 square feet freehold head offices, showroom and factory site. Having already been in business in South Bucks for over 25 years, Hazlemere Window Company Ltd have built up a highly successful home improvement company by manufacturing bespoke aluminium windows, doors and conservatories (and blinds), as well as supplying and fitting UPVC windows, doors and conservatories, cladding, guttering, fascias and soffits, made-to-measure garage doors and conservatory blinds.
Hazlemere's NEW Factory Windows and Doors Refurbishment Nearing Completion
Having acquired the adjacent industrial space in January 2010, the Hazlemere Group subsequently refurbished large sections of the rather run down premises, right next door to their existing well established base. The substantial investments in this new premises included the replacement of all the existing single glazed metal framed windows and doors, with energy saving, energy efficient
aluminium commercial windows, doors and curtain walling.
These new Wellington Road premises in High Wycombe have had new toilets, flooring, walls, ceilings, heating, lighting and electrical cabling added, under a massive upgrade of the 38,000 buildings, which were in a rather poor condition after years of lack of investment. Hazlemere Commercial Windows and Doors intend to use these new industrial premises to undertake the bulk of its manufacturing going forward, which will make there products and service more efficient, more productive and even more competitive.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories 4,000 sq. ft. High Wycombe Cressex Showroom
As part of their 25th Anniversary Celebrations, Hazlemere Window Company are inviting home owners to a “Bucks Fizz, Champagne, Cheese & Wine Offer Open Weekend” on Saturday 8th (10am – 4pm) and Sunday 9th May (10am – 1pm) 2010.
This special weekend is an opportunity to enjoy a glass of chilled Bucks Fizz, champagne, soft drink or a freshly made cup of real coffee. This event is being held at Hazlemere’s 4,000 square foot High Wycombe Showroom in Wellington Road on Cressex Business Park. Visitors during this open weekend will be able to take advantage of Hazlemere’s genuine special offers.
Anyone is welcome to bring their own window, door, awning, blinds, canopy or garage door measurements for an “on-the-spot” estimate. Alternatively, they can download the Hazlemere Quick Window Estimator, fill in their requirements and take them during opening hours to the experts in Hazlemere’s High Wycombe Showroom. The professional assistance provided on a no obligation basis by Hazemere’s experienced home improvement experts helps householders plan and budget for necessary improvements.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
The Factory and Head Offices of the Hazlemere Group were more than tripled in size in February 2010 by the purchase of another 38,000 square feet factory and offices next door to Hazlemere Window Company Ltd’s Bucks 18,000 square feet freehold headquarters in Wellington Road on the Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe, which incorporates a 4,000 square feet home improvements showroom that is open seven days a week.
This strategic purchase will enable the Hazlemere Group to expand their production of double glazed windows, doors and conservatories, whilst further improving efficiency and productivity by having all manufacturing under one roof. Not only will their high quality bespoke aluminium windows, doors, conservatories and curtain walling be able to made even faster to meet consumer demand, but also in greater quantities, making Hazlemere Window Company more competitive, and able to increase its already considerable market share in the region.
The first thing Hazlemere did after buying “next door” was to strip out the “new” premises, which in fact are quite old and were in very poor condition. So commenced a massive refurbishment programme which included replacing all the inefficient existing single glazed windows, with high quality double glazed energy efficient, energy saving commercial aluminium windows and doors manufactured by the Hazlemere Group in their existing Wellington Road factory.
Hazlemere Window Company Ltd had to re-plaster and re-wire many of the offices, in addition to putting in new heating, flooring, furniture, fixtures, fittings and new lighting. The new factory floor had to be totally stripped of existing tiles, made level and specially treated before Hazlemere could move in production equipment.
This purchase of the adjacent building means that Hazlemere Window Company is now the largest private property owner in Wellington Road. Not bad for an independently run family business 25 years old!?
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
