If the CLG gets its own way in 2013, installing windows looks set to get a lot more complicated!
The CLG is setting out proposals to for changes to Part L, ready for the end of this year or maybe 2013, which is going to see homeowners forced into more home improvements if they undertake major works such as replacement windows or changing their boiler. This is the wording from the proposal:
Homeowners installing new boilers and windows could have to carry out one or some of the following: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, hot water cylinder jacket and draught proofing.
The CLG say that this will be aided by the Green Deal which they still say they are confident of implementing by October this year. That’s not going to happen but that’s another argument. So they are trying to cement the deal into the fabric of the home improvements industry. But the main questions are who is going to carry out this extra work and will it put customers off having work done in the first place?
If you’re a window installer, are you really going to want to fit hot water cylinder jackets or draught proofing when you’re really only wanting to sell windows? I work for an installer and we don’t want to. There is already so much involved with installing windows and doors and having to learn about all these other trades and installations is just a no-go. So, the alternative would be to out-source the work! But we all know how much of a pain in the arse it is coordinating extra areas of work all involved in one contract. It’s just too much for window installers to be expected to do.
The other major thing to consider is how consumers are going to react to this. If we have to explain to people that if they want windows changed they are also going to have to have more work done because of new Part L changes, are they going to be put off having work done in the first place? I know some will. Some may only want 4 or 5 windows changed, trying to force cavity wall and loft insulation onto customers may force customers to re-think their project.
You can find the full report here: http://www.building4change.com/page.jsp?id=1151
The constant changes to Part L has already made installing windows and doors more complicated, with U-Vales and WER’s on top of that. The last thing we need is more binding regulations which may jeopardize future business.
I have been told that the GGF are on the case and are working to clarify as much of the many questions that need to be asked. What they will be fully aware of will be the lack of interest the industry will have in these changes and that many will oppose them.
to fit u need to be bricky chippy tiler plasterer glazier pebbledasher renderer curtain blind fitter and probably more.Now an insulator .Where and when will it all end.Red tape Red tape and more Red tape.Tell China to cut their emissions instead.
Sounds a lot like the skill set offered by Job Worth Doing – Tesco! Funnily enough though I was interested recently by a comment by Andrew Scott on Linkedin who said that double glazing companies will soon be offering a complete home improvement service… This caught my eye as a couple of years ago I had a new kitchen fitted and was surprised when the job was done completely by one guy who was certified for the plumbing, gas installation and Part P electrics…. The easy and selfish answer is just to sell more conservatories which still duck under so… Read more »
This consultation is nothing new. It has been on the radar for months.
Trust me it will never happen in it’s existing guise.
Whilst it would be un proffesional of me to comment too much as an industry we will still be selling and installing Windows and Doors just like we do at the moment.
A window installer should fit windows and a plumber fit bathrooms etc. If Banks had kept to savings and loans and not insurance etc., would we be in this mess.
Also to stop the so called blackmarket we should go back to U Value of 2.0 as standard and then upsell to lower U values or WERs. This would give a more level playing field and top salespeople will sell the better products for more money and profit. As long as what is being replaced is more efficent that what is being replaced we all win.
I think the sentiment is right, it’s the cheaper no-brainer sorts of things like insulating lofts and draught proofing that we should all be doing to keep our bills down before we fork out £000s on windows and boilers for energy efficiency (although you’d hope you wouldn’t be requiring too much extra draught proofing with new windows!) I don’t see how Building Control can possibly enforce this sort of thing with resources already stretched. If you *have* to retrospectively upgrade random items in your home in order to be allowed to carry out other necessary improvements, then where do they… Read more »
Nicola, it’s totally unenforceable. The legislation is far too wide reaching for an industry way bigger than it’s able to cope with. I have it on good authority that this legislation won’t be being passed in this current format. But it still amazes me that there are people in offices that dream up this sort of crazy legislation.
Look at the positive side. More turnover and profit without additional marketing costs and the same amount of customers. We already get roped in to doing all sorts anyway.
I can see how this could potentially be a bit of an issue with window installers who are looking to avoid providing services they know they aren’t qualified to provide. I’m not sure just how wide-reaching such legislation would be though, so a balance would need to be struck between ensuring a property is as energy efficient as possible without dissuading people from having work done in the first place.