Window Guarantees Explained: What Happens if Your Installer Goes Bust?

Worried about your window company going into administration? We explain Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs), the end of deposit protection, and why a standard 10-year warranty isn’t enough to protect your home.

Upgrading the windows or building a conservatory on your home is a massive financial commitment. Understandably, when you hand over a deposit, you want absolute peace of mind that the products are guaranteed to last.

Unfortunately, the UK double glazing industry is notoriously volatile. In recent years, we have seen several established local competitors unexpectedly go into administration. When an installer goes bust, the financial fallout for their customers can be devastating.

If you are currently holding a quote that promises a “Comprehensive 10-Year Guarantee,” you need to ask one critical question: Who is actually backing that guarantee?

1. What Happens When a Window Installer Goes Bust?

If your window company officially goes into administration or liquidation, they cease to exist as a legal entity. This triggers two immediate nightmares for homeowners:

• Lost Deposits: If you paid a cash or bank transfer deposit and the windows have not yet been manufactured, you instantly become an “unsecured creditor.” In plain English, you go to the very back of the queue behind the taxman and the banks. It is highly likely you will never see that money again.
• Voided Warranties: If the windows were installed a year ago and a seal suddenly fails, letting in condensation, you might assume you are covered. However, if the company only provided their own “Company Guarantee,” that piece of paper is now entirely worthless. You will have to pay a new, independent tradesperson out of your own pocket to fix the issue.

2. Interactive: Warranty Risk Checker

Are you evaluating a quote right now? Use our quick risk checker below to see how safe your investment truly is.

3. The Solution: Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs)

An Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) is the ultimate safety net for homeowners. It is an independent insurance policy that protects the original company guarantee.

If your window installer does excellent work but subsequently goes out of business five years later, the independent insurance provider will automatically step in. They will cover the cost of repairing or replacing any faulty workmanship or materials for the remainder of the 10-year term.

At KJM Group, our IBGs are provided by Installsure, one of the most trusted and established insurance providers in the UK fenestration industry. Did you know? It is actually a mandatory requirement for FENSA-registered companies to provide an IBG on replacement window and door installations. If a company is quoting you without one, they are cutting corners and are not properly accredited.

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KJM Group partners with Installsure to provide robust Insurance Backed Guarantees for our customers.

4. The End of Deposit Protection (And What to Do)

While an IBG protects your warranty after installation, what protects your deposit before the windows arrive?

Historically, many installers offered formal Deposit Indemnity Insurance. However, following the profound economic shifts of the COVID-19 pandemic, these standalone deposit protection schemes were largely withdrawn from the UK market by insurers. You can read more about current payment protections on the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) website GGF.

Because these formal schemes are now incredibly rare, protecting yourself proactively is more vital than ever.

The Credit Card Hack: The absolute smartest, free way to protect yourself is to pay your deposit (even if it’s just £100 of the total amount) using a standard Credit Card. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, your credit card provider becomes jointly liable for the entire purchase. If the company goes bust before installing your windows, your credit card provider is legally obligated to step in and refund your money.

5. The “Colander” Warranty (Beware the Small Print)

Even if a company survives for 10 years, you must inspect the actual quality of their guarantee. Many budget installers offer what we call a “Colander Warranty”—it looks solid at first glance, but it is full of holes.

The cheapest quotes often include incredibly strict exclusions hidden in the small print. For example, they might guarantee the white uPVC frame for 10 years, but strictly limit the warranty on the moving parts (the hinges and locks that actually break) to just 12 months. Others will cover the cost of replacement parts, but outrageously charge you a £150 “call-out and labour fee” to physically fit them.

6. Company Guarantee vs. IBG Comparison

Here is a transparent breakdown of exactly how you are protected in the worst-case scenario.

7. Frequently Asked Questions