Temp

@sameulepapi Officially you only need to issue certificates if the building is being converted to a charity building or similar. However they can help convince a contractor to zero or 5% rate if they haven't done it before. For a dwelling I suggest something like this.. I have read the relevant parts of Buildings and construction (VAT Notice 708) and certify: That, as the recipient of construction and conversion services, the development is a conversion from a non-residential building/barn to a residential building/new dwelling, and therefore qualifies for reduced rate VAT (5%). Planning Reference Number: 12345678/FUL Planning Title: Site Address: Contact Address: Telephone: Yours sincerely etc

PS Don't forget the CIL. No work on site until you have done the exemption paperwork.

I would always recommend applying for what you want/need if there is a slight chance they will agree. So I would apply to "Dismantle and rebuild as a dwelling". Sounds better than a demolition. Specify exactly what is to be reused in the rebuild. If they refuse that switch to a conversion. Either way you should get all the VAT back. Its either zero rated or 5% and reclaimed. Take photos of the empty site to prove it was demolished if you go for zero rating route.

If your planning permission is for a conversion, but instead you knock it down intending to rebuild it, then the planners can declare its in breach of your planning permission. You have to reapply for a knock down and rebuild which might be refused on the grounds it would be a new house in the countryside. In one case I heard about the walls were only demolished because Building Control said they weren't stable enough. Sometimes the owner has appealed and won but I wouldn't want the stress.

Can it make the Tea?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11648041/Woman-decides-divorce-husband-lover-AI-bot-ChatGPT-TOLD-to.html Woman, 37, decides to divorce her husband and move in with her lover - because AI bot ChatGPT TOLD her to..

My understanding is that any work that is necessary to enable the building to be constructed should be zero rated. So if trees have to be cut down to physically fit the house on the site they should be zero rated. Bit like demolition. If they are just to improve the view the removed trees might need to be mentioned as part of the landscaping plan in your planning application. I was required to plant 60m of hedge at the far end of a paddock and the trees and hedge plants were allowed on my reclaim.

Our MVHR incoming room vents have a small cone like this but I suspect its too small to make much difference.

Possibly.... The hire of temporary fencing (or any tools) is standard 20% rated and cannot be reclaimed. "Supply and fit% of fencing should be 5% rated to you on both. It can be a problem persuading some contractors that 5% is correct. Sometimes it helps to give them a certificate which is essentially a letter confirming that the work is on a qualifying conversion and citing any planning reference numbers etc. You can reclaim the 5%. If you just buy fencing panels and posts to install yourself these will be 20% rated and that is also reclaimable.

Indeed. I've no idea why they are treated differently. It does seem daft.

No you can reclaim it using VAT 431C. See above.

Barn conversion qualify for the reduced rate of 5% and this CAN be reclaimed by a self builder. A main contractor will normally quote to do a job and that quote will take into account all the labour, materials, tool hire, profit etc. He must charge you 5% VAT on the lot and you can reclaim it using form VAT431C. Any problems with the contractor cite.. VAT708 Section 2.1 Exceptions ..which covers conversions of non residential buildings like barns to dwellings... Section 7 says In addition, if you buy any materials and give them to the contractor to fit (for example floor tiles) you will pay 20% VAT on the tiles and you can reclaim that on the same form. You should ask the supplier for a VAT Reciept and it should have your address or the site address on it. Your contractor may charge you labour to fit the tiles if not already included in the contract. That labour must be at 5% and you can reclaim it as above.

Any chance you could roll up the carpet and underlay in one room to see what happens?

Yes that what I was thinking of. Bit like a table with very short legs stuck to the wall. It could be square or round. Could add a mesh to keep out birds etc Just needs to be big enough not to block the flow too much.

I think you need some box of tricks to replace or work with the battery charger. It needs to charge the battery when the PV is generating and limit the charging current to what the PV is producing. Then at night if there is spare capacity in the battery top it up from the grid.

How about a 1ft square of cladding boards mounted on say 2" standoff blocks or variants of that idea.

But then.. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-the-ground So it seems a drainage Field is required now but there might be room to negotiate alternatives with Building Control.

Not sure if this is latest rules but.. https://www.homeseptic.co.uk/does-a-sewage-treatment-plant-need-a-soakaway/#:~:text=A Sewage Treatment Plant does,not require a Drainage Field. Not sure if they mean "squared" or "cubed"?

Sorry thIs thread has got a few twists and turns. Which position are you in? Spray foam between rafters is definitely problematic in some houses.

I dont think you/she us alone. See. https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/SMS-over-Wifi-Calling/td-p/1526303 So it's not been going very long. Under a year. Was originally promised around 2013 I think.

CT1 Perhaps.

You should qualify for the cil expedition BUT its very important to follow the correct process to apply for it. Do not start work until you have completed the application process. Some people have been caught out by the planners saying they will be exempt but that's not enough. The four step process is outlined at the top of "Form 7: Self Build Exemption Claim Form - Part 1"... https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/policy-and-legislation/CIL/download-the-forms Note that the last step is done after completion.

Heat pump vs gas boiler... Historically the electricity used to run a heat pump has been three times the cost of mains gas when comparing like to like, however a correctly installed heat pump has a COP of 3 so the running cost should be similar. Heat pumps tend to work better in well insulated houses with UFH. If you are planning levels of insulation much better than the minimum required by building regs I'd probably go with a heat pump. First make sure you can get a decent electrical connection eg 100A. Especially if you want electric showers and a car charger. It's not unreasonable to install a three phase supply in some cases. Edit: Servicing can be more an issue with heat pumps but that should get better. If someone recommends a particular heat pump check there are people in your area that can fix any issues. Try ringing around asking if they can fix a problem on an xyz?

We opted for brick and block and would do so again but with more insulation. +1 We are on clay with trees within 3m. We were also allowed strip foundations with compressible boards. It might be worth getting a proper ground condition report done to ascertain how good/bad it is. This involves digging two trial pits and pushing specist instruments into the ground and soil samples sent to a lab. You can save money by getting the percolation test done at the same time if thisvis needed to prove and size soakaways. Even more if you can provide a JCB and and/or water supply, although they can usually arrange these as well. A raft foundation might also be an option.