Covid19-update

7th May, 2020

We have now partially resumed our operations with the small skeleton team in place and are slowly planning to re-open further areas of our business in compliance with the Government guidelines.

Currently our teams cover sales, customer support, contract administration and processing with teams working remotely from home where possible - all in preparation for site surveys, production and installations where and when it is safe to proceed. We have completed a return to work Risk Assessment in accordance with the guidance from Public Health England and identified measures possible to protect our employees and customers.

Our manufacturing operations are slowly resuming and also in a phased approach over the next few weeks. A phased return ensures the protection, safety and well-being of all of our team and customers. This includes the provision of PPE equipment and hand sanitizer cleaning stations, regular temperature checks, deep cleaning of all work areas and strict social distancing regulations, which will be carefully monitored and enforced by the company’s management.

With regards to installations, maintenance and service calls we are complying with Government guidance on working in construction and in people’s homes. Health & safety comes first and prior to making any decision, we will be undertaking a proper health and safety risk assessment for each individual job.

Currently we can only conduct the works:

  • in unoccupied properties - based on the Government advice we can continue work, only if it is safe to do so and we can adhere to the Government Social Distancing guidance.
  • in occupied properties - we can only carry out repair or maintenance works that are essential and only if it is safe to do so and it is possible to strictly follow the Government Social Distancing guidance.

The Glass and Glazing Federation upon consultations with the Government Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) further clarified that ‘essential’ can be defined as work required on a building where the occupants’ health and safety could be at risk. For example, this could be a damaged window or door, or a window or door that may be beyond repair and require replacement. In relation to any essential work involved in a dwelling, this will be carried out with the prior willing agreement of the occupants/owners.

Therefore we can conduct installation works if it’s safe to do so and in line with Government Guidance on Social Distancing and the Site Operating Procedures (SOP) published by the Construction Leadership Council, which allows us to proceed with works in:

  • new builds
  • extensions, conservatories, porches - works that are carried outside the home on land surrounding the property.

Works that should not be undertaken include non-essential home improvements inside occupied properties. This could include work such as upgrading windows and doors, glass interiors (such as screens, partitions, kitchen countertops, splashbacks etc.), decorative glazing and roof lights (unless deemed an essential replacement).

If your installation was postponed and is causing you distress and further difficulties, please contact your assigned sales person or send us an email to info@grabex.co.uk, so we can keep you updated, offer you our assistance and find the best solution to move your project forward. Most of our suppliers have now resumed their operations, however in some cases we might still be temporarily unable to source the necessary components to complete scheduled orders, and our lead times might be longer, therefore we ask you to bear with us while we continue to monitor the situation and assist you in completing your projects.

We continue to welcome new enquiries and our estimators and project advisors, who are working from home offer assistance through video conferencing platforms to help you start safely planning your upcoming projects, so contact us via our web form or book a virtual appointment and take advantage of our Stay At Home Programme and our current offers with generous discounts and deposit terms.

We would like to thank our team for their support in helping to get our business up and running again and our customers for their patience and understanding and also thank our customers and our suppliers for working with us during this turbulent and challenging period. We’re certain that together we will win this war against COVID-19 and when we do, we will be here, ready and excited to assist you in creating your perfect home.