10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Window and Door Company in Scotland
Choosing the right window and door company is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a homeowner. Get it right and you'll have a beautiful, energy-efficient, secure home for decades. Get it wrong and you could face poor workmanship, broken guarantees and a serious headache. Here are the ten questions you should ask every company before signing anything.
1. Are You FENSA Registered?
This is the single most important question. FENSA registered installers are independently assessed and certified to self-certify that their installations meet UK Building Regulations. Without a FENSA certificate, you'll need to apply separately for building control approval and if that wasn't done at the time of installation, you'll face problems when you come to sell your home.
Always verify the registration at fensa.org.uk don't just take their word for it. Elite Group Scotland's FENSA registration number is 45056, verifiable online at any time.
2. Is Your Guarantee Backed by Independent Insurance?
Any company can offer a 10-year guarantee. But if that company goes out of business in year three, a guarantee with no independent backing is worthless. Ask whether the guarantee is backed by an independent insurer such as the Consumer Protection Association (CPA). An insurance-backed guarantee means you're protected regardless of what happens to the installing company.
3. Do You Use Your Own Fitters or Subcontractors?
Many companies sell the job and then pass it to subcontractors you've never met and whose work they can't fully stand behind. Ask directly whether the people fitting your windows are directly employed by the company. At Elite Group Scotland, every installation is carried out by our own trained fitters, no subcontractors, ever.
4. Can I See Examples of Recent Local Work?
A reputable company should be able to point you to recent installations in your area — or at least provide customer references you can contact. Online reviews on Google are a good indicator too. Be wary of companies who can't demonstrate a track record of local work.
5. What Brands and Systems Do You Use?
The quality of the products matters as much as the quality of the installation. Ask which window and door systems are being used and who manufactures them. Reputable systems include VEKA for uPVC windows and Solidor, Door-Stop and Bel'M for composite doors. If a company is vague about what they're fitting, that's a concern.
6. What Energy Rating Do the Windows Achieve?
Windows are rated from A++ down to G for energy efficiency. For Scottish homes, anything below A-rated is not good enough. Make sure the specification you're being quoted includes the energy rating of the glazed units not just the frame.
7. How Long Has the Company Been Trading?
Check Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk) to see when the company was incorporated and confirm it's properly registered. A company that has been trading for less than two or three years carries more risk, particularly when it comes to standing behind long-term guarantees.
8. Is There a Cooling-Off Period?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you're entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period for contracts signed at your home. Make sure this is included in any contract and be very wary of any company that tries to pressure you out of it or claims it doesn't apply.
9. What Does the Quote Include?
Get the full specification in writing before you agree to anything. This should include exactly what products are being fitted, the energy rating, the locking hardware, the colour and finish, the removal and disposal of existing frames, and the full scope of finishing work. Surprises on the day of installation are a sign of a company that wasn't transparent upfront.
10. Is There a Pressure-Free Quote Process?
The old trick of "this price is only available today" is a red flag. Any reputable company will give you a quote that stands for weeks or months without pressure. Take your time, get multiple quotes and never sign anything you're not completely comfortable with.
At Elite Group Scotland we tick every box FENSA approved (Reg. 45056), GGF members, CPA approved, own fitters, 10-year insurance-backed guarantee, and quotes that are valid as long as you need. Free home visits across Falkirk, Stirling, Edinburgh, Livingston, Dunfermline, Alloa and all of central Scotland. Call 01324 312443 or visit elitegroupscot.co.uk.