From: The DGCOS Advice Team.
If you would like to see how this directly impacted one of our enquiries read our Case Study article here.
If you would like to leave us your feedback on your experience with SafeGlaze pre and post administration, please feel free to fill out our SafeGlaze feedback form: Feedback Form
It was announced on Tuesday 30th October 2018 that NIAMAC Developments Ltd, trading as SafeGlaze UK, has gone into administration. Rob Adamson, Mike Kienlen and Mark Ranson, Insolvency Practitioners at Armstrong Watson LLP, were appointed as Joint Administrators.
It is important to note that SafeGlaze UK has never been a member of The Double Glazing & Conservatory Quality Assurance Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) or any of our associated schemes, meaning we have no legal jurisdiction over their decisions or actions. DGCOS do, however, have an ongoing commitment to
We understand that it is a concerning time for all involved when a firm of this size is placed into administration; and we are hoping this statement can alleviate some concerns and offer consumers in need, some industry-specific guidance.
Latest Update 13/11/2018
The Administrators commented on 30th November, that they were looking to dispose of Safe Glaze’s assets and order book and since beginning this article we have been informed that L.T.W.F. Limited trading as Warmseal Newcastle has purchased the SafeGlaze UK order book. To the best of our knowledge, Warmseal has not purchased remedial work and previous guarantees.
Phone: 0800 783 8341
Email: [email protected]
Contact Information:
It is our belief (based on web searches, sector research and consumer-specific marketing collateral) that NIAMAC Developments Ltd, trading as SafeGlaze UK works in partnership with the following three schemes under the heading of ‘Quality Guaranteed’. These should be your first port of contact.
1. Home Improvement Protection (HIP)
Deposit Protection and Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) providers.
Telephone: 01604 521106
Email: [email protected]
HIP
2. Independent Warranty Association (IWA)
Deposit Protection and Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) providers.
Telephone: 01604 521100
Email: [email protected]
3. Certass Ltd
This scheme type allows a company registered with it to self-certify its installers to current Building Regulations as an alternative to using Building Control. One of the roles of a Competent Person Scheme is to ensure its members have Insurance Backed Guarantees in place.
Competent Person Scheme – Glazing.
Telephone: 01292 292 099
E-mail [email protected]
Your next steps - what protection do you have?
1. Deposit Protection/Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG)
a. Check your paperwork. IBGs and deposit protection provide cover in the event your installer ceases to trade. If you cannot find your certificate, we strongly recommend that you contact HIP directly on 01604 521106 or IWA on 01604 521100 to ensure your policy has been registered.
b. If your installation was not registered with a deposit protection/IBG provider, you will not have the protection you may think you had. But there are other levels of consumer protection in place for instances of this nature, and there are certain legislative requirements that may help if you require an installation or remediation works completing, or if you have a complaint about workmanship or the product depending on how you paid for your works, as we will cover in point 2.
2. How did you pay for your product from SafeGlaze UK?
- Credit Card
If you paid between £100 and £30,000 for your works on a credit card you have an issue with the product or workmanship, then under Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act (CCA) you are entitled to claim directly via your finance lender.
The contract you entered with Safe Glaze has now been honoured, e.g. you have paid a deposit and the installation has not been completed; your installation has developed a fault that would have been covered by Safe Glaze's guarantee had they been trading or they have
You would need to contact your personal Credit Card provider for more information on making a claim.
For more information on your rights please take a look at:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases/
Did you purchase your works through a finance lender via
If you purchased your windows/doors/conservatory through a finance lender (not via a personal loan you have arranged) and you have an issue with the product or workmanship, then under Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act (CCA) you are entitled to claim directly via your finance lender.
If you feel you were mis-sold and you have substantive evidence to prove grounds of
Please check your paperwork for your specific finance lender and contact them directly.
The level of protection is between £100 and £30,000. So, if the amount you are paying on finance is within this threshold you can contact your finance lender direct.
We would recommend you check if you have your IBG first and you will have to ensure you can substantiate your case with the initial contract you signed with SafeGlaze UK.
For more information on your rights please take a look at:
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/section-75-of-the-consumer-credit-act
- Visa Debit
Did you purchase your works through
If you have paid a deposit on your full works in the last 120 days* and your merchant has ceased to trade (like SafeGlaze), you can ask your card provider to try and claw back the money you’ve paid via a Chargeback.
Chargeback is not enshrined in law, but it is a part of the Scheme Rules that participating banks subscribe to. We recommend you give your bank a call to discuss this option. Note: there does need to be money in the merchants account for the clawback to go ahead.
For more information on chargebacks take a look at this article:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback/
*Contact your bank directly if no longer in this time frame, banks have varying policies and it doesn’t hurt to ask
- Cash Payment
It is an unfortunate situation, but this is the least protected form of payment, but this doesn’t mean you are not protected.
Safeglaze UK’s consumer-facing marketing material suggests that all consumers who have had a SafeGlaze UK installation will also have an attached 15-year guarantee through HIP, which should be great news. But this isn’t, unfortunately, true for all consumers.
Since the announcement about SafeGlaze UK going into
Recommendations:
1. Always check your paperwork and if you have not received a promised insurance policy be sure to verify any insurance or guarantees with the provider themselves, never rely on someone’s word.
2. If possible, pay £100 minimum on a credit card or on credit, to protect yourself under the 1974 Consumer Credit Act.
3. If you have paid for a deposit in the last 120 days via a Visa Debit you should be able to pursue a chargeback via your bank.
4. If you think you have an IBG or Deposit Protection policy, please make sure you check that the policy was registered, and you have received your insurance certificate and documentation.
If you would like to see how this directly impacted one of our enquiries read our Case Study article here.
If you would like to leave us your feedback on your experience with SafeGlaze pre and post administration, please feel free to fill out our SafeGlaze feedback form: Feedback Form.
DGCOS Advice Team
Considering joining DGCOS?
Please Call Mike: 0345 053 8975
Or visit our Installer Website for more info.
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