Clearview National October 2014 - Issue 155 | Page 81

installersupport Good news for installers as government figures show upturn for building momentum Building momentum in the housing sector is undoubtedly good news for installers, but things could slow in the long term. »»This is the view of the Consumer Protection Association Director (CPA) Jeremy Brett. The CPA is a leading installer support body and was recently named by Fensa as one of only a handful of accredited companies able to provide installers with Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs), since they became mandatory for glazing installations. Jeremy said the membership base was upbeat following the news that private housing starts are set to increase by 18% this year to 134,170 units. Government figures published recently also revealed that help to buy sales had hit a monthly high, with 4,357 sales made under the equity loan scheme in June 2014 – the highest monthly total since the scheme launched in April 2013. But in conjunction with leading housing analysts and economists, Mr Brett said that members were well aware of how fragile the market remains. He comments: “We understand that over the next two years the construction industry as a whole is forecast to grow by 10 per cent, with the private housing sector experiencing strong growth too. This means increasing opportunities for installers to win new business and we are equipping our members with the tools they need to meet expectations. “However a slowing of growth is anticipated towards the end of the decade and installers should be aware of the trajectory of the economy. But in the short term the private sector is benefitting from improving economic conditions and sensible government measures.” The CPA has been operating for 22 years and is recognised as a body where installers go to add value to their sales presentations and take advantage of new business opportunities. Members have access to Insurance Backed Guarantees; marketing and sales support and training; finance options to fund projects; quarterly reports that assess their business; and deposit protection schemes. The CPA also recently launched a campaign to lobby government to remove VAT on home improvement products. For more information regarding CPA contact 01462 850064 INSTALLERS DO WELL TO BACK NEW VEKA APPROVED SCHEME »»Glazerite Windows Ltd, one of UK’s largest independent trade fabricators, is urging all installers to get behind the newly-launched VEKA Approved Installer Scheme to reassure householders of their quality and integrity. The scheme now gives quality installers an extremely powerful ‘two-tier’ choice alongside the industry leading Network VEKA organisation and will open up the opportunity to a much wider field of competent operators, according to Glazerite Director Jason Thompson: “It is completely free to join and has no geographic boundaries. Any installer simply has to live up to a number of quality standards and buy from a Scheme Approved VEKA fabricator such as Glazerite. In return, they gain a credibility that will put them ahead of their competitors, not only from the VEKA Approved Installer logo for their vehicles and showrooms but also from an exclusive range of bespoke marketing literature and support for web design. “On top of this, they will also have access to direct homeowner leads generated via the dedicated VEKA Approved Installer website so they can see virtually instant returns as well as the long-term benefits of membership.” “There is also another longterm benefit of joining the scheme via a fabricator that is also a Network VEKA member.” For more information contact Glazerite on 0151 342 0059 C L E A RV I E W-U K . C O M » O C T 2014 » 81