May/June 2021

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Roofline & Cladding Continued from page 64 to ever-changing circumstances. We’ve always placed customers at the centre of the business, and I’d say the events of 2020 have taught me this approach is critical for long-term success. TI: What are the key benefits of Freefoam’s Registered Installer Scheme? CS: We set up Freefoam’s Registered Installer Scheme years ago to help installers gain a competitive edge and win more business. Since then it’s become more and more popular with installers because our marketing support helps them build their brand in their local area. We also provide quality leads for them through our two consumer-facing websites: www.myfascia.co.uk and www.mycladding.com. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits installers get through the scheme is the Extended Lifetime Guarantee, which extends the 20-year guarantee on white roofline to 50 years, to give our registered installers an extra boost. If the homeowner moves home the guarantee can be transferred to the new owners. Homeowners say it’s a great incentive to buy Freefoam and it gives them extra peace of mind. Registered Installers have always loved it. TI: How have the roles of manufacturer and supplier developed over the years, and how have installers’ requirements changed? CS: From Freefoam’s perspective, success comes from helping customers grow. Successful suppliers need to offer more than just products, they need to create mutual partnerships with customers. It’s also very true that the way installers promote their business has evolved. Being able to promote your brand online and on social media is essential. It can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve just launched new social media guidelines to help installers. We’ve also developed a range of short, easy-to-follow videos to show installers exactly what to do. TI: The public are more knowledgeable about products and materials nowadays – has this put pressure on installers? CS: I agree, homeowners are much more knowledgeable, and we see it as a positive thing for installers. It’s so much easier to explain product features and benefits if consumers have a good, basic understanding. The days of the typical ‘hard sell’ are gone and the most successful installers are those who communicate clearly and honestly with their customers. TI: We often hear of rogue tradespeople, but sometimes customers can be too demanding, rude and unreasonable. What would your advice be to installers who come across customers like this? CS: Earlier on in my career, I joined Laing Homes as a customer care officer. We were known as Care Bears, and to be honest I quite liked that. We were there to ease customers into their new homes and make the transition as easy as possible. The job gave me an invaluable grounding in customer service and taught me that in moments of angst, people can lose a sense of reality. As my career progressed I learned customer service boils down to delivering what has been promised. My advice to installers would be to keep this in mind at all times. TI: What are some of the most common mistakes that contractors / installers make when it comes to installing cladding? CS: It’s easy to think you can have a go, but we’d strongly recommend referring to the manufacturer’s guide and getting advice from your supplier if you’re unsure. Incorrect fixing centres and lack of ventilation are the cause of most installation problems, so we have a dedicated FAQ page on cladding (www.freefoam.com/professional/ technical-faqs) and our technical advisors are always happy to help with any queries. TI: Can you tell us about some of the projects that your products have been utilised on? CS: We’ve seen some fantastic transformations with cladding. For example, Freefoam Fortex weatherboard cladding in Misty Grey was used to enhance the front elevation of a detached property in Cheshire (pictured on previous page). The cladding was used in conjunction with a render finish to create a smart contemporary New England look. Another beautiful makeover came in a renovation of a three storey house in Falmouth, (pictured above) where our Fortex Double Shiplap cladding in Colonial Blue replaced tired, discoloured pebble dash to transform the property and give it a coastal feel. TI: After a challenging period for construction and the public – are there reasons to be positive moving forward in <strong>2021</strong> and beyond? CS: No-one can predict the future but, as the latest Consumer Confidence data from GfK shows, consumer confidence is returning and the wider construction industry will continue to recover. We’re focused on putting the customer at the heart of Freefoam and giving them the products, service and support to do well. Contact Freefoam: 0800 00 29903 freefoam.com/professional @freefoam 66 TI MAY/JUNE <strong>2021</strong> PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
Expert Witness Service When you need expert backup for a fenestration dispute. When a dispute between an installation company and a homeowner cannot be settled, specialist expert advice and reporting can be the best way forward. Our RICS accredited experts can help. We can act as a single joint expert or as a party appointed expert and produce a high quality report in line with the Civil Procedure Rules for expert witnesses. • Domestic window and door installations • Building regulation compliance inspections • British Standard 8213-4 • Specification disputes ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ ☑ RICS accredited Window and door installation specialists Party appointed expert Single joint expert CPR 35 compliant reports Call 0800 085 3032 Email expertwitness@risaltd.co.uk RISA are specialists in domestic window installations. As part of the Glass and Glazing Federation Group, we are able to call upon the resources and expertise of the entire GGF Group for the benefit of our clients. risaltd.co.uk/expertwitness
Page 1 and 2:
MAY/JUNE 2021 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR
Page 3 and 4:
LATEST INNOVATON IN COMPLETELY FRAM
Page 5 and 6:
Editor’s Comment SOPHIE STEVENS E
Page 7 and 8:
REGULARS 14 THE BUSINESS PILOT BARO
Page 9 and 10:
ROOF LANTERN FITTED IN MINUTES SUPP
Page 11 and 12:
For more news and the latest update
Page 13 and 14:
We do things differently At Kestrel
Page 15 and 16:
AS COMMITTED TO YOU, AS YOU ARE TO
Page 17 and 18: Delivering Certainty Everything Alu
Page 19 and 20: www.vbhgb.com ORION proteQ10 PREMIU
Page 21 and 22: Contract Talk “I am mirroring the
Page 23 and 24: VISOFOLD 1000 BI-FOLD DOORS from £
Page 25 and 26: Aluminium done the Emplas way • N
Page 27 and 28: Unrivalled security performance You
Page 29 and 30: s Trade Only Supplier ms Trade Trad
Page 31 and 32: Do the maths! Co-extruded pre-inser
Page 33 and 34: REFRESHING NEW BRAND. ‘WINSDAYS
Page 35 and 36: CREATING BRIGHT FUTURES 97mm Sightl
Page 37: Innovation comes built-in 60 Quotes
Page 40 and 41: Aluminium Bi-folds A SLICE OF THE P
Page 42 and 43: Composite Doors INVESTMENT, COMMITM
Page 44 and 45: Advertorial SLIDING TO SUCCESS WITH
Page 46 and 47: Updates Tommy Trinder is enabling i
Page 48 and 49: Glaze Tube: Video Content PRESS PLA
Page 50 and 51: FIT Show 2021 ARE YOU FIT AND READY
Page 52: CRM Systems EASIER CONVERSIONS Busi
Page 55 and 56: GREAT PROFIT MARGINS REPLACEMENT RO
Page 57 and 58: sales@britmet.co.uk | 01295 250998
Page 59 and 60: Press play on quality content for y
Page 61 and 62: UK’S BIGGEST AND BEST TRADE SHOW
Page 63 and 64: QUITE SIMPLY, THE UK’S MOST AUTHE
Page 65 and 66: 7 A kerb trim will also need to be
Page 67: Introducing the ultimate marketing
Page 71 and 72: The Sponsored by Epwin Window Syste
Page 73 and 74: Does your secondary glazing supplie
Page 75 and 76: USE INSIGHT DATA TO DISC VER THE BE
Page 77 and 78: Press play on quality content for y
show all

May/June 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?