Temp

As I understand it the UK is planning temporary tarrifs on a range of goods... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-rates-of-customs-duty-on-imports-after-eu-exit It says the tarrif will be zero on goods not listed. Couldn't find windows listed, nor bricks. As for VAT.. I believe the UK will charge VAT on goods arriving from the EU at the ports. So I believe you need to get EU suppliers to give you export prices or you will end up paying both EU and UK VAT. I'm guessing only UK VAT will be reclaimable under the self build reclaim scheme. The treatment of small parcels is different. Lots of info in here.. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-for-businesses-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/vat-for-businesses-if-theres-no-brexit-deal

Yes welcome. Did you manage to avoid any awkward planning conditions? Next stop CIL exemption claim forms :-)

Some years ago when looking a for a flat to purchase as a buy-to-let an estate agent showed us a new build tiny bedsit. So cramped that three of us got in each others way. The whole place had just one window serving the living room/bed room. No window in kitchen or shower/WC. We couldn't see it being a good investment. We eventually found a two bedroom flat with shared garden for the same price about half a mile further out of town.

Here... https://www.buildingboards.co.uk/products/rcm-cemboard/ It says...

I think they may take into account your employment status. If you trade shares in your spare time you normally pay CGT. If you do it as your main occupation its likely to be income tax.

+1 If you don't have a nervous twitch you will after dealing with the planners.

Just a heads up... We only have 80mm of PIR insulation under our UFH. I now consider that a bare minimum and would put in more if building again. Perhaps 160mm PIR or 200mm EPS? See what others suggest.

The idea with a raft is that everything sits on it and its strong enough that it can bridge poor/made up ground, bit like a raft on water bridges between wave crests. Hence the walls must sit on the raft as well.

That will be because of the pool. He means good ground everywhere except where filling in the pool.

Small article in today's Times mentions planned changes to the way VAT is paid in the construction industry. Called "Reverse charged VAT" is says buyers will pay VAT direct to HMRC rather than to suppliers. Due to be introduced in October it is apparently aimed at reducing VAT fraud. Doesn't say if it applies to self builders.

Make sure you get your CIL exemption paperwork done before starting any work on site.

You dont have to officially start work for something to be zero rated. The guide VAT 708 just says the work must be "closely connected" with the construction of a new dwelling. See section 3.3.6 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-708-buildings-and-construction/vat-notice-708-buildings-and-construction It says it can be zero rated except in the case where. I think outline PP or full PP with some conditions not yet met might be enough. I would tell them its for a new dwelling that should be zero rated and ask for a new quote showing zero vat, see what they say.

Our water main diversion was zero rated.

My builder reckoned it was best just to run your own cable to the bottom of the pole and leave enough spare coiled up to reach the top. We had issues getting openreach to come out but once they arrived they were happy to connect up the cable we supplied.

I think all "layers" are made the same. They just turned alternate layers over when it was assembled. I'd call it "Butt jointed, clockwise/anticlockwise on alternate layers"

If its a 12v lead acid cell they can benefit from being kept on a float charger when not being used. This is a mode available on some regular battery chargers. In float mode it charges to a slightly lower voltage so you can leave it connected all the time without it overcharging or "boiling" the cell dry. I found cells kept on float live longer (retain their capacity longer). If you leave them alone they self discharge and they really don't live long if left flat.

I would look up the rules for doing a credit card charge back. You probably have to give them time to deliver but there may also be a time limit on doing a charge back. Best not let one exceed the other. I noticed that although they list Paypal (as an option at the bottom of most pages) if you go to checkout there only seems to be an option to pay by credit card. So it's possible they are just harvesting credit card details and addresses? Keep an eye on your credit card statements!

This machine (Snapmaker 2.0) doesn't even appear to be available yet.. https://cogkart.com/products/printer-2-0 "£59.95" Manufacturers web site.. "Snapmaker 20. is the Most Funded Technology Project on Kickstarter history" https://shop.snapmaker.com/collections/machines/products/snapmaker-2-0-modular-3-in-1-3d-printers "Preorder" "$999" (down from $1499) "Your order will be shipped in March, 2020."

No worries I started using Google when Yahoo was the best portal and before Google had adverts.

In some area MS charities offer Hypobaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). When a relative suffered a head injury he had quite a few sessions in one of their chambers. While there we met several people with MS that said it helped them to a limited degree. I don't think it's available on NHS or even if there is science to back up the claims they make. Just thought I should mention it in case its not something he's investigated.

Welcome to the Forum. Hope we can help. I don't know if these are still available? Perhaps he's already investigated. https://www.gov.uk/apply-disabled-facilities-grant and https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/funding-to-adapt-your-home-for-accessibility#dont-forget-to-claim-vat-relief "If you’re disabled, any building work you do to adapt your home might be zero-rated for VAT. Find out more about VAT exemptions on building work on the GOV.UK website."

Google found some info.. Try contacting.. Timber Decking and Cladding Association.. https://www.tdca.org.uk/ Looks like they have guides with drawings.. No 9: "Detailed openings Vertical Clading" https://www.tdca.org.uk/media/3778/woodcampius_css9.pdf Elsewhere.. About page 13 onwards (pages aren't numbered) http://www.woodcomponents.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MTS-Cladding-Detail-and-Design.pdf Some of the example photos show joins staggered on adjacent boards. On my horizontally clad out building I staggered the joints over at least three different positions so they didn't form an obvious line. Bit of info in here .. https://www.silvatimber.co.uk/media/pdfs/Thermowood/Thermowood-Technical-Instructions.pdf .. mentions chamfering the lower edge of boards (page 7).

Just for info there is an Approved Document R that covers the entry point.. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-speed-electronic-communications-networks-approved-document-r

Yeah we buried SWA direct. Wish I had installed a duct but they didn't insist on one when we did our house. Never likely to be offered fibre to the home around here.

HMRC accept DIY store till receipts for low values but for larger ones you might need to ask for a proper VAT receipt. They can hand write you one with your address on it. Note it should be your address not your builders or anything like that. All Labor must be zero rated to you. If someone does supply and fit then both the labor and materials must be zero rated to you. If you pay VAT on labor in error you cannot reclaim it from HMRC. Not "some vat free labour". All labour on the house and some things "closely associated with" the construction of a new house should/must be zero rated to you. The exception is services - things like an architects services are standard rated and can't be reclaimed. As @JSHarris said... You do not need to give anyone a certificate. However some inexperienced trades are nervous about zero rating to you. In the first instance refer them to VAT 708. If that fails it might help to convince them if you give them a certificate but that's just a letter detailing your name, address, plot address, planning reference number etc. You write it yourself using words something like "This is to confirm that the work done by Fred was carried out on a new dwelling at the following address, planning reference etc" Edit: Cross posted with @newhome