Pre-contract checks before you sign

The moment before you sign is your last easy chance to catch a problem. This window contract checklist gathers the paperwork, prices and promises to confirm first, so everything you were told verbally is nailed down in writing before any commitment.

Check the company

Start with who you are dealing with. Confirm the full legal trading name and address, and check that they match the details on the quote exactly. Verify their FENSA or CERTASS registration on the relevant scheme register, and read their reviews with a critical eye — our guide on how to read installer reviews shows you how. A company that is happy to be checked is already telling you something reassuring.

• Legal trading name and a traceable address.
• Current FENSA or CERTASS membership number you can verify.
• A consistent, credible review history.
• No pressure to skip any of these steps.

Check the quote and specification

Make sure the quote is itemised, not a single round number. It should state the exact products, the glass specification and energy rating, and precisely what is and is not included — scaffolding, making good the plaster, disposal of the old frames and scheme registration are the usual hidden extras. Gather at least three comparable quotes and take time to sense-check the costs first, so an outlier price — high or suspiciously low — stands out. Weigh the figure against how long good windows last to judge genuine value rather than headline price.

Check the contract terms

Read the contract in full, in your own time. Confirm the total price and payment schedule, the deposit amount and how it is protected, start and completion dates, and who actually carries out the work. Check the guarantee terms and whether an insurance-backed guarantee is included. Make sure your cancellation rights are set out plainly. Cross-reference this section with your consumer rights and with deposit protection so you know both your money and the work are covered.

Check the guarantees and after-care

Finally, pin down what happens after the fitters leave. Ask for the workmanship guarantee in writing, confirm who underwrites the insurance-backed guarantee, and check how you report a snag and how quickly it will be addressed. Make sure you will receive your FENSA or CERTASS certificate and any product warranties. Read insurance-backed guarantees if you are unsure what good cover looks like, and stay alert to the warning signs in avoiding rogue window traders.

Then, and only then, sign

If every box above is ticked and nothing has been rushed, you can commit with confidence. Vetted installers have survey appointments in many areas this month, so there is no need to be pressured into signing on the spot. When you are ready, we can help you find a trustworthy window installer who welcomes every one of these checks.

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