During 2014, the activity among builders increased dramatically. With the growth of trade counter outlets, builders can now offer the same products as traditional installers without the overheads and sales/marketing costs associated with a typical double-glazing business.

There are now over 22,000 local builders active in home improvements, extensions and self-build projects all of which can include windows, doors and conservatories.

The landscape for installers is changing; many have now become home improvement companies rather than specialist window companies, and offer a wider range of products such as garage doors or roofline products.

It is predicted (Insight Data Industry Report 2014) that as window companies evolve into home improvement specialists, and builders capitalise on the availability of window and door products through trade counters, the line between installer and builder will dissolve, and we will see 34,000 home improvement companies.

A return to economic growth in the UK has been good news for installers, but they also face new challenges with greater legislation and compliance, and competition from a fast growing sector – local builders.

Are you a builder who now offers double-glazing as standard? Did you start out as a traditional window fitter and are now offering other home improvements? Get in touch, tell us your story.

Email: christina@glassnews.co.uk (Christina Shaw, Publisher).