A Winning Partnership

Wednesday 13th July, 2011

Specifically developed to help raise standards across the conservatory industry, the Ultraframe registered installer scheme has been going from strength to strength over the last seven years, with just under 100 accredited members/branches. Mark Hanson, marketing manager at Ultraframe explains how this unique partnership can help retailers build their business and demonstrate a commitment to product and service excellence.

Offering consumers a nationwide choice of BBA vetted and audited conservatory retailers and installers, the Ultra Installer Scheme has been specifically developed to help Ultraframe to work in partnership with retailers and installers to set a higher standard of craftsmanship and ensure consumer peace of mind.

However, not just anyone can join. In order to safeguard the integrity of the scheme, retailers and installers looking to take part and be awarded ‘Ultra Installer’ status, must undergo strict auditing by BBA inspectors who have solid experience in conservatory design, specification and installation. And it doesn’t stop there; to ensure that ‘Ultra Installer’s’ keep their status, they must continually comply with a pre-determined code of practice, take part in annual skill and training reviews and follow the GGF ‘Guide to Good Practice’.

A Quality Agreement

While in parts of the country there is a waiting list to become an Ultra Installer, in some parts there are still a number of vacancies. However in order to be recruited onto the scheme, companies needs a blemish free trading history and to pass a one day office and site based assessment. They will also need to provide consumer references and pass credit checks.

The site based assessment, which will be conducted by the British Board of Agrement (BBA), will involve quality service checks at every stage of the conservatory sales and installation process. Companies applying for membership need to attend high marks in the areas of enquiry handling, the sales process, installation, manufacturing and buying, survey and after sales service; the whole package.

Companies with an investment in showrooms/show sites and with a significant local brand presence are the ideal candidates.

Reaping the Benefits

But it’s not all tests and visits - in return for being an ‘Ultra Installer’ there are a number of benefits that retailers will receive for being a member; a major one of these being sales leads. Membership to the programme will give retailers access to sales leads generated by Ultraframe.

Ultraframe’s dedicated consumer care centre is on hand to manage queries and leads from homeowners and help them find the nearest members of the Ultra Installer Scheme. In 2010 just under 7000 leads were delivered to the network ,up 44% on the prior year.

Ultra Installers are provided with a secure PIN number which they can used to log into the Ultra Installer website, enabling leads to be picked up seconds after an online form has been filled in by consumers. Furthermore, leads are managed by each member in the PIN protected dashboard, allowing them to track actions, and flag which projects they have quoted and most importantly, won.

A Digital Frontier

With the majority of leads generated via the Ultraframe website, Ultraframe undertakes monthly advertising campaigns with major online search engines to help drive traffic to the website, before capturing consumer details and passing on these fresh new leads.

Ultraframe also gives all members of the scheme the chance to have their own page within the website, which is created and maintained by Ultraframe. The page can include images of installations and showrooms, as well as company details and information, further cementing high rankings on key word searches. Full contact details are also included, with a separate ‘contact us’ button so that potential buyers can contact retailers directly.

In addition, Ultraframe has negotiated an Insurance backed Guarantee (IBG) for Ultra Installers which enables members to provide consumers with even more peace of mind in the unlikely event that they cease trading. Deposits, work in process and the completed installation are all covered by the extensive IBG.

Essential Reading

A glossy lifestyle magazine designed to help consumers through every stage of the conservatory buying process, Ultraframe’s ‘The Essential Guide to Conservatories’ is another perk that comes with being an Ultra Installer.

The guide is exclusively available for use by Ultra Installers and features lots of useful advice and stunning imagery to inspire potential conservatory buyers. New members immediately receive a stock of this stunning brochure to assist them during the selling process.

John Green and Eric Cheshire, Directors at High Tech Windows Ltd, were the first to join the scheme in 2004 and have been members ever since, "We are committed to the Ultraframe brand and have installed over 5000 conservatories featuring their products in the last 15 years. Joining this scheme was a 'no brainer' for us as we gain extra credibility, the satisfaction of independent audit and surveillance visits by the BBA, and best of all leads.

“We would urge you to consider the scheme, if there are vacancies in your area"

If you would like to find out more about the Ultraframe Ultra Installer Scheme, please visit: https://trade.ultraframe-conservatories.co.uk/trade/ultra-installer-scheme/