Vantage Windows and Doors took home the 2023 Which? Trusted Trader of the Year award, edging ahead of an impressive list of fellow nominees to secure the win.
The Which? Awards, which have been running since 2007, recognise best practice for consumers and give awards to businesses and products from banks to home entertainment brands.
We caught up with Ernie Rea, owner at Vantage Windows & Doors Ltd, for his thoughts on the impressive achievement. Plus, we discuss how a Which? Trusted Trader title has helped the business evolve.
For more on the Which? Awards 2023, see the full list of winning brands.
Recognising excellent customer service
The annual Which? Awards celebrate the brands going above and beyond for consumers.
Vantage Windows and Doors was shortlisted alongside Easystep Stairlifts, LCM Roofing and Move On Removals, and the competition was stiff. However, Vantage emerged as the winners after being commended for their excellent customer service and the work they do in their local community.
Company owner, Ernie Rae, said: ‘I'm absolutely ecstatic to win the Which? Trusted Trader of the Year Award. It reflects many years of hard work and I couldn't be happier for me and my staff.
‘It's a game-changer for our business and we owe it to our hard work and customer-centric approach. Joining Which? Trusted Traders in 2017 was one of our best business decisions.’
Thoughts from our judges
Our judging panel was blown away by Vantage Windows and Doors and the level of professionalism on show.
One member of the panel said: ‘[The company] has been endorsed with us since 2017, and has plenty of customer reviews that reflect their great service – they have a really lovely tone to their customer responses and it feels like each customer is appreciated.'
Another judge added: ‘They carry out work in the local community and for charity, showing that they’re very customer-focused and mirror Which?’s values.
Speaking of the win, Managing Director of Which? Trusted Traders Raj Kakar-Clayton said: ‘There is a sense of togetherness in this business - they regularly show that the company cares about its employees, and they all seem proud of the achievements the company has won, including their Which? Trusted Trader endorsement.
‘Vantage Windows and Doors also receives lovely customer responses, and it feels like each customer is appreciated and valued. Congratulations to Vantage Windows and Doors on their win at this year’s Which? Awards.’
Happy customers praise a job well done
At the time of writing, Vantage Windows and Doors has a flawless five-star customer review score on the Which? Trusted Traders website. When picking out a worthy winner for this year’s annual award, our judging panel paid close attention to customer feedback.
Speaking about their experience with the company, one customer said: ‘I recently had every window in my flat replaced by Vantage. Every element of the experience was brilliant, from Ernie coming out to price up and measure the windows to the windows being installed. The fitters were brilliant, hard working, professional and explained everything clearly to me.’
Another complementary review adds: ‘We used Vantage to replace a window and door. I was delighted with the result. The quality was excellent and everything was left spotless.’
The power of the Which? Trusted Trader logo
Ernie told us how the Trusted Trader logo sets you apart from rival businesses: ‘Our customers love the fact that we’re a Which? Trusted Trader,’ he said. ‘It gives them peace of mind and all of them completely trust the Which? Brand.
‘Customers from all over Scotland contact us for a quote simply because we are affiliated with Which?. It brings us a major proportion of our business.’
Vantage makes brilliant use of the Which? Trusted Trader logo – it’s found on the company’s paperwork, survey sheets, customer satisfaction surveys, vans, workwear and throughout the showroom.
‘If you’re a solid, high-quality company and have complete confidence in what you do, it makes smart business sense to join Which? Trusted Traders. It will instantly give you respectability in the eyes of your customers and sets you apart from competitors. Customers have complete confidence.’
Congratulations to Vantage Windows and Doors for winning Which? Trusted Trader of the Year 2023.