Your Complete Guide to the FENSA Certificate: What It Covers and Why It Matters

Are you buying or selling a home? Or are you planning a major home renovation?

FENSA is part of this process. It is the Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme and is a government authorised scheme that monitors building regulation compliance.

Its core role in the industry is to improve window and door replacements across England and Wales by professionalising installers and protecting homeowners like you.

The importance of this certificate will be outlined in this article including defining FENSA, the scope of coverage and the benefits it gives you as a homeowner.

What Exactly is FENSA?

As outlined above, FENSA is a government authorised scheme that monitors building regulation compliance for replacement windows and doors in England and Wales.

FENSA is also a Competent Person Scheme (CPS) which means that FENSA approved installers can self certify their work and avoid the need for a separate inspection from the local authority’s Building Control. This is a key benefit for homeowners like you.

Every approved installer is regularly assessed to ensure that high standards are continually maintained too.

What The FENSA Certificate Covers 

Core Coverage

The FENSA Certificate covers precisely the following types of work:

• Replacement of external windows, external doors, roof windows and roof lights.
• Work that is in existing, heated domestic dwellings. 
• Work that is on a property that is on its original footprint, and the use or size of rooms must not be altered.

The Exclusions

FENSA doesn’t cover everything which is important for homeowners like you to know. It doesn’t cover the following:

• New Builds and Extensions.
• Conservatories and External Porches.
• Commercial Properties.
• Repair work where the frame is not replaced.

FENSA also applied to installations carried out since April 2002.

Why The FENSA Certificate Matters

FENSA is compliant with building regulations and is the proof that your installation meets the legal requirements for thermal performance, safety glazing and ventilation.

You as the homeowner must register your replacement installation with your local authority as this is the legal requirement. The value of this, is that a FENSA approved installer takes on this legal obligation for you which saves you time, hassle and potential fines.

The FENSA certificate has an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) and verifies that your installer’s written guarantee is protected by this independent insurance policy. This covers your peace of mind and installation in the unlikely event of the installation company ceasing trade.

FENSA & Selling Your Home

If you are selling your home, your solicitor will request a FENSA certificate or a Building Control equivalent.

If you don’t have a certificate, this can create difficulties and costs such as needing to purchase expensive indemnity insurance or pay for a retrospective inspection from Building Control.

When you send your certificate to your solicitor, it is held against your property and not you. It will then be transferred to the new owner.

Why Choose Jewel Windows?

A FENSA certificate isn’t just a bit of paperwork, it is a legal document that confirms quality, compliance and protection. 

The easiest way to ensure you always have compliance is to always choose a FENSA approved installer. 

Luckily for you, here at Jewel Windows, we are FENSA registered which guarantees you both compliance and peace of mind.

Our highly skilled, professional installers are FENSA approved and have years of experience in the home improvement industry.

Choose Jewel today and put the sparkle back into your home with us!