.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Sun Shines On Notts - Solar Transplants For Company That Died Twice
A company that has gone bust twice in a matter of years and left hundreds of employees out of work has been saved as the directors of Solar Windows have...
Read Full Article
Google Making ‘Expert Buyers’
FENSA believes winning installation work is getting harder because Google and Co make homeowners more informed and so installers have to gain trust and be competitive on price.
The professional home improvement sector is currently suffering a prolonged plateau, with installation volumes stable but not growing. Meanwhile, the structure of the industry itself is shifting.
“We’re seeing a lot of experienced installers leaving the sector through retirement,” says Sam Davies, the technical manager at FENSA. “But that doesn’t mean the work is disappearing. In reality, it’s being redistributed. Fewer installers are doing more work, which creates opportunity for those who are prepared.
“That opportunity, however, comes with pressure. Consumer behaviour is evolving rapidly, driven by access to online information, comparison platforms and AI-powered search tools.
“Homeowners now arrive at the quoting stage armed with terminology, assumptions and expectations that didn’t exist a decade ago.”
Overnight expert
Davies continues: “An end-user may already know about energy ratings, U-values, ventilation and safety requirements before the installer even walks through the door. We’re seeing the rise of the ‘overnight expert’ Whether that information is perfectly accurate or not, it shapes expectations. Installers need to be ready for that conversation.”
This shift is expected to intensify through 2026, as a younger, more research-led generation of homeowners becomes a larger part of the home improvement market. For installers, technical competence alone is no longer enough; credibility must be visible and provable.
Stability
At the same time, the wider construction landscape remains uncertain. Other sectors are grappling with the withdrawal or redesign of government-backed funding schemes. By contrast, the glazing industry remains largely driven by the able-to-pay consumer, offering a degree of stability that should not be underestimated.
Davies says: “That independence gives this sector resilience, It’s not reliant on sudden policy changes in the same way others are. But it does mean installers have to work harder to stand out and justify their value.”
This is where FENSA’s role becomes increasingly important. As regulatory requirements continue to tighten and Mandatory Technical Competence (MTC) becomes embedded, installers need more than reminders that rules exist; they need practical support to meet them.
“Compliance shouldn’t feel like a moving target,” says Davies. “Our focus going into 2026 is on giving installers clear guidance, accessible tools and real people they can speak to when they need help.
“Being a FENSA installer provides that structure. From self-certification and recognised compliance to up-to-date guidance documents and direct access to technical expertise, FENSA helps installers demonstrate professionalism in a market where reassurance matters.”
Picture: FENSA’s Sam Davies.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
15th February 2026