Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme

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The DGCOS (Double-Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme) is an independent UK regulatory body, whose agenda includes vetting of suppliers, guaranteeing customer access to industry inspectors, and protecting members against unfounded complaints.

Contents

Background

The DGCOS, or Double-Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme, was established in early 2010 to provide an independent regulatory body for UK’s double glazing and conservatory industry. [1]

The DGCOS was launched in May 2010 with the backing of consumer advocate Nick Ross  – a former presenter of BBC's consumer programme Watchdog (TV series). [2]

The UK's double glazing and conservatory sector

The Double Glazing and Conservatory Industry in the UK is large, with 14,000 window, door and conservatory companies operating. [3]

An investigation by consumer magazine Which? indicated that the UK's double glazing industry had a lack of transparency regarding prices, acknowledging the importance of the industry ensuring that all traders were reputable. [4]

Vetting standards

DGCOS ensures all member businesses have gone through a 12-point vetting process which includes:

DGCOS is an independent organisation paid for by installers and does not charge consumers.

Benefits

Consumers
Traders

The Consumer Protection Report

DGCOS commissioned a new report into the double-glazing industry. The Consumer Protection Report is deeply critical of continuing failures in consumer protection. Most of the schemes have flaws and many of the reassuring logos used by double-glazing companies are simply labels for trade associations rather than formal warranty schemes like ABTA. People paying for double-glazing or conservatories still need to be on their guard against poor or worthless guarantees.

Even in recession-hit 2009, homeowners in Great Britain spent £3.17 billion on maintaining and improving their homes with double glazing and conservatories. The report details the actual levels of protection enjoyed by homeowners who buy windows, doors and conservatories, in contrast to the protection they think they have from the large numbers of organisations that offer it. David Herman’s recommendations will provide a blueprint for consumer protection bodies and key questions for homeowners to ask before buying double glazing or conservatories.

Report Findings

Notes

  1. Scheme, The Double Glazing and Conservatory Quality Assurance Ombudsman. "Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme | DGCOS". The Double Glazing and Conservatory Quality Assurance Ombudsman Scheme. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. Architect's Data File, "Press Release Not Found". Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  3. Window Base Project Manager Database http://www.windowbase.info/
  4. "Major window firms attacked for 'misleading' public". the Guardian. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  5. "Tide turns in fight against the rogue double glazers". The Independent. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  6. "New Sentinel Thermoguard Door Features Improved Fire and Security Performance". Fenestration News. 9 January 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  7. Scheme, The Double Glazing and Conservatory Quality Assurance Ombudsman. "About Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme". The Double Glazing and Conservatory Quality Assurance Ombudsman Scheme. Retrieved 22 April 2024.

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