Hi Chesterexpress Yes, self employed... As indeed I am now with another national company. No problems now, nor indeed with any person I can find who're with the same company or have been in the past. In fact, it's like a breath of fresh air. The customer care is well known as well as the product. The work and training ethics are only matched by their customer care.

To anyone considering working for Anglian Home Improvements, I seriously suggest you re-think your plans. After almost two years dedicated work with the company, I saw no alternative but to leave and seek employment elsewhere. My customers experienced APPALLING customer care to the extent that many cancelled and went elsewhere (over £100k). Many were promised solutions to problems but without action, almost all were simply not communicated with by admin and installation depts. The Which magazine (March 2008) lists a number of customers. The 1st one was mine. A really genuine man who was serious about obtaining quality. He got delays, excuses, poor communication and dismal installation quality. Read it for yourself. The RSM (Regional Sales Manager) or the DSD (Divisional Sales Director) saw fit to not pay me from November 23 2007 to 18 January 2008. It was only after a company auditor and human resources intervened that I was paid. I was the only sales rep to appear on the 'Last Quarters Incentive' winners list twice. But because I moved region (not company) my Christmas hamper was withheld. I made it open knowledge that I was considering moving because of ineptitude in the region and gave ample opportunity for issues to be put right. The RSM told me of no hamper THREE days before Xmas. I met with him to discuss. He said he did not want me to leave and offered me an elevated position if I would stay. I asked did that include my hamper. NO was the reply. AND I was to buy a hamper myself (without wages!) and to tell my wife that I was not working for him but to break the news later... There was no way this was going to happen. I moved to the next region only to learn that it was to be divided and that my area was to be included in the region I had just left :o. I went further south but to be honest traveling 78 miles each way to work each day was just too much. I left and then tried contacting a National director AGAIN. No response AGAIN. I faxed my intention to write to every newspaper I could including Which Magazine (who've just published a scandalous report on Anglian. NO RESPONSE. The company is appalling to work for (my opinion), admin departments also known as anti-sales depts. seem to work purposely to lose orders. Other reps and managers are leaving in numbers. My wife, children & I had an awful Christmas because of my withheld wages. Only my kids had presents (meager ones), my wife and I had none. The region I left was the North East of the Northern Division. I wrote (after cancellations) almost £900k in 37 weeks as a rep last year. The rest of the year was as a manager. Under the present leadership, I would NEVER consider working for Anglian. But that's my opinion... Their new tag line is... 'More Customers... Most Recommended' They should add 'But we just don't care...' Does anyone have good advice for seeking compensation?

Excellent Result Just a footnote... Zenith Staybrite went under in January 2008 - So just in time.

Hi thecornflake As a conservatory divisional manager for a large national company (The 'Best' one ) Anglian have a warranty on the frames (the plastic bits) of 10 years and 15 years on the glass. The national sales director you need to speak with is Michael Fagg 01603 767000. The roof is manufactured not by Anglian but by Ultraframe and has a BBA certificate which covers condensation risk see bbacerts.co.uk To be honest the company has an appalling customer care record (see this months Which report - March 2008. Put in a claim for your losses including lost use. Don't mess about on a local level, go straight to the top if your not satisfied and make yourself heard. Good Luck...

Hi (All)... I'm a conservatory divisional manager for a large national company (The 'Best' one ). A conservatory requires building regs if it's over 30 sq meters and/or the physical barrier (PB), door/s of external locking quality between unit and house, is/are removed permanently. Conservatories (in England & Wales) are 'regarded' as temporary structures. To qualify as part of the house, the adjoining room and unit has to be inspected and subjected to SAP Calcs (thermal efficiency measurements). Without which the PB cannot be permanently removed. i.e MUST be replaced prior to sale. Currently in England & Wales, there are no rules besides over 30sq meters or planning governing the building of conservatories. Consequently many are simply not habitable in the winter nor in the summer for those units with direct sun on them. Certainly, if you can't comfortably use it in the winter/summer it's not a habitable room... Good Luck...

Hi Oliver I am a conservatory divisional manager for a national company of over forty years. (The 'Best' one;) ) Assuming that the soil waste pipe and manhole cover is private and not public (it's in your garden and you're responsible for any problems with it), then the company contracted to build the conservatory over the above pipes etc are responsible for providing access through the conservatory floor or to move the manhole outside the unit. The only way they can wriggle out of their responsibility is to have you signed an indemnity document switch responsibility... The plumber is only responsible for the work you paid him for. The trapdoor is called a 'raise and seal'... Raised to the conny floor level and sealed! Any waste pipes beneath the founds should have bridging lintels over them to protect them from crushing. Good Luck

Hi Poppynurse I'm in the industry (conservatories) as a divisional manager for a large national (The 'Best' one ) As far as too close to your neighbours boundary is concerned, had we done that - we would be liable for any responsibilities regarding actions brought by yourself or subsequent buyer of your property. We are required to document ALL aspects/elevations including drawings that are supplied to the manufacturing department, fitters, planners, YOU, and anyone else involved such as original builders if covenants are in place etc etc. THEY WILL HAVE SUCH DRAWINGS... In particular the so called surveryors survey reports and subsequent documents. Does your original contract stipulate width/projection? Did anyone make any enquiries to local planners? Depending on local authorities and how close to the boundary wall, you may have needed planning permission (irrespective of size). The builder should not proceed on the assumption that this is taken care of without getting you to sign an indemnity letter first. Certainly we would have been responsible had we done the same. The original sales person should also have a document relating to width/projection together with the contract, the surveyor will begin his survey on... I think they know they've botched it and are hoping you'll back down from their threats of legal action. Sadly this sort of thing happens far more often than you'd think. I moved to the 'Best' company from another national coz of the appalling way my customers were treated. Best of Luck - I think you've a strong case...