What these two competent person schemes mean for your window or door installation.
FENSA and CERTASS are both government-authorised competent person schemes for the replacement window and door industry in England and Wales. They allow registered installers to self-certify that their work complies with building regulations, without needing a separate, often costly, building control application for every job. Both schemes serve the same fundamental purpose, just operated by different organisations.
When you replace windows or doors, building regulations require the work to meet certain standards, including thermal performance and ventilation. A FENSA or CERTASS registered installer certifies this compliance on your behalf and registers the installation with the relevant local authority. Without this certification, you would need to arrange a separate building control sign-off, which is more time-consuming and can cost more.
The certificate you receive after installation confirms that the work has been registered and complies with the relevant building regulations at the time of installation. It is an important legal document that demonstrates compliance, separate from any product guarantee, and should be kept safely alongside your other home documentation.
For the homeowner, there is no practical difference in the level of protection or compliance between FENSA and CERTASS, as both are officially authorised competent person schemes. What matters is that your installer is registered with one of them, and that you receive your certificate promptly after installation. Ask to see registration details if you are unsure.
When you come to sell your property, conveyancing solicitors typically ask for proof of building regulations compliance for any replacement windows or doors installed. A missing FENSA or CERTASS certificate can cause delays or complications during the sale process, sometimes requiring retrospective indemnity insurance, so it is important to keep your certificate safe from the outset.
If you have lost your certificate, you can typically contact FENSA or CERTASS directly to request a replacement copy, provided the installation was registered with them at the time. This is another reason to always use a registered installer, as unregistered work may not be traceable in the same way, causing problems further down the line.
Yes, both FENSA and CERTASS are government-authorised competent person schemes that allow installers to self-certify compliance with building regulations. There is no meaningful difference in legitimacy between the two for homeowners.
Yes, building regulations apply to any replacement window or door, not just full house projects, so you should receive a FENSA or CERTASS certificate even for a single window replacement carried out by a registered installer.
If your installer is not registered with FENSA or CERTASS, you would need to notify your local authority building control department separately to ensure the work is compliant, which typically involves an additional fee and inspection process.
Some insurers may ask about building regulations compliance for significant alterations including window and door replacements, so having your certificate on file can help avoid complications if you ever need to make a related claim.
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We are FENSA and CERTASS registered, so every eligible installation is properly certified for building regulations compliance.
