New Ombudsman scheme for double glazing industry

A new Ombudsman scheme for the double glazing and conservatory industry has been launched, to protect homeowners against rogue installers…and professional installers against rogue homeowners. The Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS - www.dgcos.org.uk) enables quality installers to give homeowners real peace of mind.  Installer members of the scheme can offer homeowners real peace of mind with deposit protection insurance, work-in-progress insurance and an insurance-backed guarantee. Homeowners who use DGCOS installers also get free access to professional mediators, independent inspectors and a legally binding dispute resolution service via The Ombudsman himself, an experienced arbitrator.

Trialled for two years, The Ombudsman Scheme also offers installers effective protection against customers who withhold payment or make unjustified complaints. In a first for the industry, companies can also claim for unpaid contracts if The Ombudsman has found in favour of the installer and the customer refuses to pay. The DGCOS Compensation Indemnity Fund will pay out all bona fide claims to installers. This fund is also available to compensate homeowners and make good on installer promises.

Installer members also benefit from national TV advertising and radio commercials, plus, ‘Peace of Mind’ packs, consumer brochures and DVDs to help generate sales leads. Nick Ross, of Crimewatch and Watchdog fame, is spokesman for the marketing campaign.

The Ombudsman scheme was founded by Tony Pickup, who also established the Quality Assurance Association (a multi-trade scheme covering carpet-layers to brick-layers in the north of England), and has worked with arbitrators, mediators, independent inspectors and the Ombudsman since 1996.

For more information on the Ombudsman Scheme call 0845 0538975 or visit www.dgcos.org.uk.