Has anyone used (or heard of) The National Conservatory Advisory Service??
I came across their details in the local Thomson Directory. They claim to visit your home, give advice on what's needed (and what's not) and then put tenders out to reliable companies on your behalf. The companies they use for tenders do not have your details unless you go ahead with the job. NCAS make their money from the registered companies used paying them a fee. It sounds too good to be true!!

Yes I've heard about them and come across customers that have used them to good effect and results. Generally they provide a good service and help cut out the uncertainty of trying to find a good, trusted supplier and at a reasonable cost. You are quite right in that they are totally funded by the companies they provide the contracts to and in that respect peace of mind for the customer and it costs you nothing for that. The service isn't for everyone as some people clearly want to control things themselves and to be fair, most people are capable of working out what is a good deal anyway providing they have the time to spend on the process and do their research well such as looking at this forum for pointers. However, for those who simply want one visit to their home then it's a good idea.

My only tongue in cheek thoughts are that (a) not every conservatory company would want to fit into the NCAS way or even sign up with them and a lot of those will be very good companies indeed. Therefore, the choice open to you both on technology and several other things may be a bit narrower than otherwise (b) we're all human and their own reps must have personal preferences and may themselves be only bothered to consider a few choices for you. Again I'm sure they'll be good choices but there would be a narrowing of the field again. (c) it's a leap of faith in that you have to believe they'll always act in your best interests. On the one hand there is no reason to believe this wont be the case and there wont be any bias on their part but on the other they have to make money to survive themselves and pay their people and so a larger "commission" or kickback from x and y company say may just sway them in a certain direction on the eventual choice. (d) If you're a good conservatory company and your people (sales people to boot) understand the products thoroughly then I question how a third party can be that well immersed in the technology and advantages between x and y company offerings. Unless they've gone into each of those conservatory companies and understood how the thing is made and the techniques used and even the ethos of a company then I do wonder how you can recommend or advise from a somewhat "remote" - albeit informed - position.
Overall, you're under no obligation anyway so give them a twirl. At least they're sifting out the "bad guys" and protecting your deposit with the way they vet companies so why not!
Generally I think they're a good idea for those customers who want that sort of approach and they do offer a pretty good level of independance in an industry that has its fair share of dodgy sales approaches.
I actually recommend reading their web page that covers "Hall of Shame" where they go through the various sales techniques used by companies.
General site is: http://www.nrwas.org/html/how_we_help_you.html

Kevin
Kevin Poole Glenhampton Conservatories
www.glenhamptonconservatories.co.uk

My advice would be if you are thinking of using these people dont be missled by the name, they are just another conservatory company and from my experience not a very good one at that.

I contacted the NRWAS last October to have a conservatory built. We agreed to go ahead in November and made the first payment. A building survey was supposed to take place but after a number of calls to Steve Elsworth ( Elsworth construction and installation) to arrange it, he decided it wouldnt be necessary. The project manager ( Stuart Handley) said that would be fine. Building work started in January 2008. We had been told that the installers selected ( we were only given 1 to choose from) employed all of their own staff and didnt sub contract, the builders were all subcontracted. As a result of not having done a building survey the builders had no plans to work from. The first mistake they made was to pour the concrete slab over the air bricks of the house instead of installing conduit as we had requested. When informed of this they cut 2 channels in the floor to install conduit and then filled the channels in. They also had to remove the bricks surounding the air bricks to enable this to be done. We were left with 2 large holes which were letting rain and snow under the floor of the house. I informed Steve Elsworth of this problem and requested that it be fixed. Shortly afterwards the glasing was installed, then plasterers came to plaster the walls but the holes had not been filled. I gave the plasterers some bricks and morter and they agreed to fill the holes so that they could do the plastering.
I asked to have the floor properly levelled so that I could lay laminate flooring, 2 attempt were made at this but the floor was so uneven that the joints in the laminate floor broke appart. A third attemt has now been made but there are still raised patches.
As a result of not performing a building survey one of the conservatory door does not open fully as it its against the main part of the house.
Through all of these complaints the NRWAS have acted on the side of the builders and not the consumer as they claim is their role. They claim that all of their installers are members of registered trade organisations. I asked about Elsworth construction and installation and they told me they are members of the glass and glazing federation. The glass and glazing federation deny this.
We ar approaching 1 year since this process was started and we still cannot use the conservatory. The only thing in our favour is that we dont have to make the final payment until we are completely happy with the conservatory.