MWCIA - TOP 100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the M.W.C.I.A. TOP 100?
Why should I choose a TOP 100 Registered Company?
How does it benefit me by choosing a TOP 100 Registered Company?
If I’m not happy with my installation, what should I do?

What is the M.W.C.I.A. TOP 100?

The Master Window & Conservatory Installers Association (M.W.C.I.A.) is an association which has been formed by Mr Don Waterworth who is a Private Practice Building Surveyor / Building Engineer / Expert Witness. Don Waterworth BSc (Hons) FBEng MEWI, has been in private practice for over 20 years.

Don Waterworth has acted as an Expert Witness in over 1,000 cases over the last 20 years. Don also acts as Consultant Building Surveyor / Expert to a number of National Window Companies throughout the UK.

Don Waterworth has also worked on the TV programme ‘Don’t Get Done Get Dom’ with Dominic Littlewood. This programme was aired on TV in April 2010 and can still be watched on the BBC iplayer.

Over the years, as an Expert Witness, Don Waterworth has worked on many disputes both for and against window companies involving window / door / conservatory installations. Many of these disputes, if dealt with quickly could have been resolved, if however one or both parties decide to be difficult or simply cannot agree, then this dispute can quickly get out of hand and all to often will end up in a Court of Law. When this happens, there are no winners!!!

Don has often been asked by consumers, ’How do you choose a good window / conservatory company? Are they all COWBOYS?’

We have at last found the answer.

The TOP 100 Register

This is a Register of the TOP 100 Window & Conservatory Companies in the UK.

What Don Waterworth has done is, in order to protect the general public against unscrupulous window installers, was to form a Trade Association solely for the BEST Window & Conservatory Companies, hence the M.W.C.I.A. TOP 100 was formed. However this association is not an association that anyone can join, it is a register of the most professional, respectful and technically proficient companies we can find.

Only the BEST 100 window / conservatory companies will be on this register.

Why should I choose a TOP 100 Registered Company?

Any company who applies to become TOP 100 Registered must go through a rigorous vetting procedure which includes for the Surveyor, Don Waterworth spending time with the management, interviewing all the staff within the company. He visits all the installation teams on site, interviewing each installer and speaking with the customers at site. Customer service and respect is of utmost importance.
The company MUST have an excellent trading record, the company should ideally have been trading for at least 5 years and MUST be solvent at the time of application.
The company MUST have certain procedures set in place, such as a dedicated after sales department, a dedicated service engineer, they must act professionally concerning their business ethics, company records, undergo continual training of installers, front line staff, i.e. office staff, sales teams etc., and have a high level of customer service.

This vetting procedure can sometimes take 3 full days dependant upon the size of the company. THIS IS THE STRICTEST VETTING IN THE INDUSTRY.
N.B. Unlike most other ‘trade associations’, a company cannot simply pay an annual subscription and join the TOP 100.

How does it benefit me by choosing a TOP 100 Registered Company?

In short - ‘Peace of Mind’.
Knowing that the company and the installers have been put through, sometimes days of rigorous vetting. If you chose a TOP 100 company to undertake works at your home, you can be sure that the work will be done to the highest professional standards, the installers will be polite, clean and tidy, and you will be able to rest assured that you and your home will be looked after.

You will no longer need to worry yourself wondering, are they going to look after my home? are they going to make a mess of my decorations? are they going to leave glass all over my garden? I hope the installers are not rude.

All TOP 100 registered companies have to abide by our Customer ‘Code of Conduct’ (you can view this by clicking here) which is provided to all TOP 100 registered companies, this Code of Conduct must be on view in their factory / showroom(s).

You can contact this office and speak to one of our staff who would confirm that the company is TOP 100 Registered and if you need to speak with the Surveyor himself, all you need to do is ask and he will put your mind as rest.

If I’m not happy with my installation, what should I do?

If you have any complaints against a TOP 100 Registered Company, we take this matter very seriously. However the complaint must be a genuine complaint.

Firstly, we ask that you contact our office on 0800 1954922 to register your complaint, we will ask you the name of the company to ascertain if the company you are complaining about is indeed a TOP 100 Registered company, (you MUST give this office the company’s name and address or we cannot help you).

Secondly, we would request that you put your complaint in writing. Thirdly we contact the company in order to address your complaint, and seek a written response from the member, usually within 21 days.

Fourthly, once the evidence has been considered, we may well speak with both parties again, or indeed, if deemed necessary, we will attend site.

Finally, we will make a decision, in writing, to both parties.

Should it be the opinion of the Association that the member has breached the Association rules regarding - professionalism, respect, service or workmanship, then the member may be removed from the Register.

(IF YOUR COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE PRICING POLICY OF A COMPANY, UNFORTUNATELY THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMPLAINT)