Forty-eight installers have signed up instantly to the new Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme. Trialled for two years, The Ombudsman Scheme was officially launched in January to protect homeowners against rogue installers, and professional installers against customers who refuse to pay.

“The benefits of the Ombudsman Scheme are four-fold,” explains the Founder, Tony Pickup. “Firstly, it will help restore the industry’s reputation and help professional installers differentiate themselves from incompetent cowboys”

“Secondly, every customer is covered for deposit protection insurance, work-in-progress insurance and an insurance-backed guarantee to give homeowners real security – not just a promise of peace of mind.”

“Thirdly, if anything goes wrong, members and their customers get free access to professional mediators, independent inspectors and – uniquely – a compulsory and legally binding dispute resolution service via the Ombudsman himself, an experienced industry arbitrator.

“Fourthly, DGCOS offers installers effective protection against customers who withhold payment or make unjustified complaints. In a first for the industry, members 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 Fund will pay out all bona fide claims to installers. This fund is also available to compensate homeowners and make good on installer promises.

“And finally,” Tony Pickup explains, “the Ombudsman Scheme delivers real business benefits to installers, with national TV advertising and radio commercials, plus ‘Peace of Mind’ packs, consumer brochures and DVDs to generate sales leads. Nick Ross, of Crimewatch and Watchdog fame, is spokesman and ambassador for DGCOS. The Ombudsman Scheme offers unique consumer and installer protection – and the speed of take-up suggests it’s much needed!”