The Sash Window Workshop has been named Which? Trusted Trader of the Month for November 2021. The judging panel was impressed by the firm’s focus on customer satisfaction, extensive charity work and commitment to sustainability. 

Endorsed by Which? Trusted Traders since 2014, The Sash Window Workshop is based in Bracknell. It specialises in manufacturing, installing and repairing timber windows and doors across London and the South.

We spoke to Richard Dollar, managing director at The Sash Window Workshop, to find out more about the company’s success. 

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High-quality work, great communication and service

Explaining the decision to go into business, Richard said: ‘In 1994 we spotted a gap in the marketing for high-quality windows and doors. Specifically, we wanted to provide timber windows and doors that would meet the needs of even the most discerning customers.’

The Sash Window Workshop currently has around 65 employees working across the office, sales, workshop, and installation teams. The company’s Which? Trusted Trader page has an impressive overall score of 5 out of 5, and 5 for customer service, 5 for quality and 4.9 for value. 

A satisfied customer in Windsor left a very positive review that is indicative of The Sash Window Workshop’s work: ‘The whole service is excellent. The initial list to quote happened very quickly and I had a quotation within a day. The Workshop communicated when they would install the windows, with follow-up texts and emails as reminders. The installation was super. The installer arrived exactly when he said he would, and has done a fantastic job installing and cleaning up. The company also confirmed when they had received all payments, so that it is very clear that nothing has gone wrong. Great job with all parts of the company giving a coordinated service.’

The positivity of customers is matched by the Which? Trusted Trader team. Account manager Issy Player said: ‘The Sash Window Workshop has been endorsed for seven years, and in this time we have seen their business grow and go from strength to strength. 

‘As a business, they consistently strive to provide their customers with excellent customer service which is shown through their fantastic reviews on their profile page. 

‘It's a pleasure working with The Sash Window Workshop. I would like to congratulate all of the team for their hard work and for winning this award!’

Proactive use of Which? Trusted Trader endorsement 

The Sash Window Workshop makes good use of its Which? Trusted Trader endorsement, with the logo being displayed on its vans, website, social media posts, email signatures, magazine adverts and communications with customers. It also appears on other marketing materials, such as brochures, leaflets and a banner used in the showroom and at conferences.

Richard told us why The Sash Window Workshop wanted to be endorsed by Which? Trusted Traders. He said: ‘We wanted an accreditation that would reflect the high-quality products and customer service that we strive to provide and that our customers are looking for. 

‘The Which? Trusted Trader scheme is an established, recognised sign of quality that aligned perfectly with our business objectives and values.’

The Sash Window Workshop proudly displays its Which? Trusted Trader status in magazine articles and online posts, which have featured on The Resident and Home & Gardens. 

The company recently wrote an article highlighting its Which? Trusted Trader endorsement, which explained its pride in being part of the scheme and aimed to educate potential customers on why they should choose a Which? Trusted Trader to carry out work.

The judging panel described the articles as ‘super exciting’ and rewarded proactive use of the endorsement. 

Focus on sustainability gives a window to the future

The Sash Window Workshop is committed to helping the environment. It has invested in technology to reduce paper usage, assess its carbon footprint and ensure waste is disposed of in the most environmentally efficient way possible. 

Other sustainable measures taken include replacing the car fleet with electric vehicles and installing charging points for electric vehicles at the new workshop. 

The company has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for five years, which means it uses wood from forests that are managed in environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial ways. This helps safeguard forests for future generations.

The judging panel said they were really impressed by the level of charity work and what has been done in relation to sustainability.

The Sash Window Workshop regularly supports a range of different charities by donating money and running charity events at the company, such as raffles and baking days. The company purchases prizes, and all money made from these events is donated to charity. Every year money is put aside to support different charities.

In October, a group of employees entered Race for Life at Windsor Racecourse to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Each team member was set a target of £100 to raise for the charity and they all exceeded this target, raising a total of £952 (plus Gift Aid). The Sash Window Workshop then more than matched this total, donating £1,000 to the team (£200 to each runner), taking the total raised (including Gift Aid) to a fantastic £2,152.

Which? Trusted Traders is a thorough and respected endorsement scheme

Richard highlighted the beneficial difference provided by Which? Trusted Traders compared with other endorsement schemes.

He said: ‘The Which? Trusted Trader scheme is very different from other accreditations. The initial application and yearly assessments are thorough and will require time and effort to prove that your company is performing at a high enough level to be endorsed by the scheme.

‘However, once you have met the criteria and been approved, the Which? Trusted Trader scheme is a highly respected accreditation which consumers rightly trust when deciding who to place an order with.’

Congratulations to The Sash Window Workshop for winning November 2021’s Which? Trusted Trader of the Month award. 

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