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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.

I think you should also avoid dividing walls between the bays of the garage or it might be hard to open doors of some cars wide enough to get out.

Keep an eye on the roof pitch. I think it will be somewhere between 15 and 18 degrees depending on the eaves and ridge detail. I think 15 degrees is the minimum for man made/interlocking slates is 15 degrees.

From the HMRC forum.. https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/vat/ebb59f20-6793-ed11-97b0-00155d9c7b3d

Many developers are international companies. They can choose where to invest. In the UK where there is are high taxes or elsewhere where there aren't? I also suspect the supply of wind turbines is limited so that may mean they want to put them where they will be most profitable.

3.3.4 in VAT 708 should cover a diversion provided you already have planning permission.... 3.3.4 Work closely connected to the construction of the building Subject to paragraph 3.3.6, your work is closely connected to the construction of the building when it either: (a) allows the construction of the building to take place.... It does list some examples but also states not everything is listed and it will be considered on its merits. We argued with Anglian Water and eventually got our water main diversion zero rated.

He should have zero rated everything to you. In the case of a mixed invoice (eg supply and fit) everything must be billed at the lowest rate which in this case is the zero rate for labour. _if_ he had split it into two parts it might be possible for you to reclaim the vat on the materials part alone but I don't think HMRC make that policy. The problem is many trades know it should be zero rated to you do they pocket the VAT and don't pass it on to HMRC. If you then claim it back from HMRC the HMRC are down.

Vat708 is here. It can be very confusing in places so if it's not clear come back and ask.. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/buildings-and-construction-vat-notice-708

Yeah that would probably work if the contractors won't oblige. Although would HMRC check if the contractor has actually passed the VAT to HMRC ?

I presume this is only "temporary" until they can put it underground but its a pretty impressive pipe.

1) Yes that invoice should have been zero rated to you. 2) Ditto. 3) You can reclaim the VAT on the materials you purchased. The contractors invoice should have been zero rated to you. You can try writing to the contractors stating that HMRC have said they need to refund the VAT charged because this was "work carried out on a new dwelling" or in the case of the diversion was "Work closely connected to the construction of a new dwelling" (para 3.3.4 in VAT 708). It might help if you also enclose a "certificate" which is essentially a letter to them certifying that that the work referred to in the invoice/quote was carried out in the course of constructing a qualifying new dwelling and should be zero rated in accordance with VAT 708. Include things like your contact details, the site address even if it's just "plot next to.." and the planning permission reference number. Good luck.

Officially you can't reclaim VAT paid to a trade in error from HMRC. You are meant to go back to the trade. .. https://www.self-build.co.uk/our-guide-claiming-back-vat-self-build/

Jolly good. Do try and pay some of the first payment on a credit card if not already done.