There’s plenty to think about when you’re undertaking a major home improvement project. If you’re getting your external doors or windows replaced, that includes ensuring everything meets UK building regulations and that you can prove it. That’s where Certass certificates and other competent person schemes come in.
Not sure what all that means? Never fear, we’ve got all the angles covered in this complete homeowners’ guide to Certass certification.
Certass Certification: Key Takeaways
- A Certass certificate is official proof that window or door installation or replacement work complies with UK building regulations
- Certass is one of several competent person schemes, which also include FENSA certification.
- Competent person schemes let installers provide certification without needing external inspections of each job
- When selling a property, the buyer’s solicitor will request Certass or other compliance certificates
- Door Warehouse’s expert installers are both Certass- and FENSA-certified
What Is a Certass Certificate?
A Certass certificate is an official document that confirms that door or window installation or replacement work complies with UK building regulations. It’s provided by Certass, one of a handful of government-authorised competent person schemes.
A competent person scheme allows installers who are proven to be trustworthy to sign up and self-certify their work as being compliant with relevant regulations. For homeowners, that means you can be rest assured of fully compliant window or door installation work and get the proof you need of that compliance. All without needing a separate inspection from the local council or building inspectors.
Certass Certificate or FENSA Certificate: What’s the Difference?
Now you know what a Certass certificate is, you may be thinking it sounds very similar to a FENSA certificate. Well, you’d be right.
Both Certass and FENSA are examples of trusted and respected competent person schemes in the UK. The only difference between the two is the organisation running them. FENSA is arguably the most widely known and best-established scheme, but a Certass certificate provides precisely the same assurance of compliance with UK building regs.
Why Do You Need a Certass Certificate (or Other Proof of Building Regulation Compliance)?
Any home improvement work done on a property in the UK must comply with building regulations. The easiest way to ensure this compliance, and to get proof of it, is to obtain a Certass certificate or other similar official documentation.
If you don’t get your doors or windows installed by a provider that’s certified by Certass or another similar scheme, then you’ll have to have their work independently inspected. That means arranging for the local council or building inspectors to come, check, and certify the work. That represents not only time and effort that’s better expended elsewhere, but also an extra expense, as such inspections typically cost hundreds of pounds.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to have a Certass certificate or other proof of building regulation compliance if you plan to sell your property. The solicitor of any potential buyer will request to see that proof, and if you have no Certass certificate to show them, you may have to make other costly arrangements like arranging indemnity insurance. Or, the solicitor may even advise those buyers against the purchase.
How Do You Get a Certass Certificate?
Fortunately, it’s really quite simple for homeowners to obtain a Certass certificate for windows or doors in the UK. Just follow these straightforward steps:
- Find a Certass-certified window and door provider. If you’re not sure, you can perform a Certass certificate search on the organisation’s website.
- Work with the provider as you would with any other to get your desired work done.
- Within 21 days of completing the project, your chosen provider will register the work and, when necessary, notify your local authority.
- Shortly afterwards—generally, within seven working days—you’ll receive your Certass certificate.
How Much Does a Certass Certificate Cost?
One of the biggest benefits of having doors or windows installed by Certass-certified providers is that you don’t have to pay extra to get your certificate.
That’s compared to if you do the work yourself or get it done by an installer that isn’t registered with a competent person scheme. In that case, you will need to pay for a separate inspection from the local council or other relevant authority.
Get Fully Certified Door and Window Installation from Door Warehouse
Door Warehouse is dedicated to providing the highest quality door and window installation across the Northwest of England and North Wales. Our friendly and knowledgeable team of installers have over 30 years’ worth of experience and we’re registered with both Certass and FENSA.
What’s more, we’re also part of the UK police’s secured by design (SBD) initiative and provide our own 10-year guarantee for doors and windows. All the proof you could possible need that you can trust Door Warehouse to do right by you for any home improvement project.
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