dysty42

Thanks for the response - I guess I will just see what happens. I had to send them a copy of my planning permission, but of course that doesn't give any indication of whether the build is complete or not. I was just worried that at some later date the invoice would make it's way to hmrc who might check on it somehow. But will just see how it plays out. Don't particularly think I am doing anything out of the 'spirit' of the new build VAT exemption.. just I've been a little too slow.

On my original question, I've now ordered some stone surfaces(which they've agreed to zero rate). I've also today submitted my VAT claim. Based on my completion certificate, I pass the 3 month deadline in about 2 1/2 weeks. However, the company I ordered the surfaces from I've paid a deposit to, but they cannot get a templating person out to me until the end of febuary, which I assume will mean they issue the invoice then which will be past the 3 month limit.. so the question is - do people think I will be risking getting in trouble for doing this? Morally it doesn't seem particularly wrong, as I will genuinely be installing the surfaces in a new built house, but are hmrc likely to a) notice b) not be happy that it is post completion?

Yes, screwfix also always ask 'do you have an account'.. and proceed to look you up, but then give you a receipt with no name on. Ok, great @ them probably being accepted.. I will catalogue all these as well. In the paperwork it does say invoices should have names on, but guess they might well be prepared to overlook this for a load of small items.

Really appreciate the advice. One supplier has responded they are happy to do this, so long as I supply a copy of my planning permission.

Hi all, In the process of trying to sort out my VAT claim, I've been through all the main invoices and listed them. I also have a big pile of till receipts. Can I claim for these, as most do not have my name on? These tend to be smaller items, but still when you put them together, it's not an insignificant amount of VAT..

I've self built a house in my garden and now got the completion certificate, but I am still within the 3 months allowed for submitting the claim. I want some stone worktops(I just have some cheap laminate ones in place now). If I order the worktops now, and include the invoice with the reclaim - will it be allowed(despite being purchased after the completion)? (Assuming of course I get the claim to them within 3 months of the completion..)

So far as I can see what I am calculating fundamentally takes no account of the ratio of people likely inhabiting the house(house size) vs the number of showers / taps / toilets present. My house is a two bed, each with ensuites(and a downstairs wc). Based on the calcs, that produces far worse numbers than say a 2 bed with a family bathroom. But, the 1-4 inhabitants of the said two comparable 2 bed houses would likely use about the same amount of water in reality. Excessive water usage is all about how people use things really.. the authorities would be far better spending their time educating people imho. Or simply ban stuff that uses a high amount of water like very powerful showers. Meantime, how many water pipes in the UK are leaking? I reckon quite a few.. force the utilities to spend the money to repair their infrastructure, or face big fines.

So I'm nearly finished a new build and the only bit of paperwork that is outstanding is the water calcs. I did have some earlier from the epc people but a fair bit has changed.. and I now know exactly what is installed. I see there are several online calculators. So have tried to put data in, at least for the items I can actually find any water usage data for(and have made up stuff for those I can't). But it seems to be based on just 'you have 3 toilets so you'll use this much', but surely this is entirely meaningless without some context on the size of the dwelling(which doesn't seem to be factored in in any way). Eg a 1bed house with 3 bathrooms is not likely to use more water than a 5 bed house with 1 bathroom.. is it? And is it not likely that a house with a dishwasher will use _less_ water overall than one without, if it is used efficiently? Does the max flow rate of a tap really matter at all, as who really turns a tap on full blast? I would be fairly surprised if I use over 100 litres of water a day personally. To me, how much water gets used is not really anything to do with the max capacity to use water, but really just how people use water. How long until they introduce water flow tests? Am I going mad, or did anyone else see this as a load of nonsence?

Yeah, it's just a 2 bed new build. It's got four extractors, 2 in ensuites, one in the wc and I put one in the kitchen, as I wasn't intending to sort the hob and extractor hood until after sign off. Unfortunately I've already had the air test done, if I'd known about this requirement of course I probably could have got it done at the same time. I think technically it's been a factor in part F since 2010, but yes it does seem a bit silly as the fans presumably flow as much as they are supposed to flow(they all go direct through the wall, no long ducting). I also see you can buy testing equipment quite cheap, but what he's sent me seems to suggest he wants it certified.

The BC guy has asked for 'Extract Fan Air-Flow Test reports (BPEC registration where possible)', so I assumed I had to get a private company in to test the extractors? You recon he'd be ok with just seeing the specs of the fans used?

@ peter, awesome. That'd be an easy option then - so long as it will register at least 30l/s for the flow test. Part F also says it can be 30l\s rather than 60l/s if the fan is near the hob. I don't have a hob.. yet. So I guess I will just say the hob will go near the fan.

Yes, my dad suggested just a second 100mm fan. Could do, but would mean a hole in the wall I don't really want. Or, as you say I could got to 5/6 inches, but am worried about trying to increase the bore of my current hole, I'd have to hire a core bit/suitable drill and then I could end up making a mess of my wall if it doesn't go through cleanly. (though ultimately I may have to increase it to 150mm when I get a cooker hood) At the moment, I just want the easiest route past building control - he has visited once, gave me a list of things to do. Didn't even mention any of the extractors. The bathrooms/wc ones are fine anyway.. but then a few days ago he send me a list of required paperwork, and a flow test of the fans is included. So, the lack of blowy power on the kitchen one is likely to be picked up. I just thought this continuous venting option could be an easy escape, and from what I read.. may well use a bit less electric than intermittent extractors to boot. Appreciate your (albeit slightly inebriated) reply!

Hi all, I'm having a slight late stage headache with my kitchen ventilation. The electrician put in a 4 inch fan and which does (max) 22l/s, I now understand I need at least 30l/s in a kitchen with intermittent ventilation. It seems you can't get a 4 inch vented intermittent fan that does 30l/s (or at least I can find one). So I was reviewing part F and noticed the continuous ventilation options. It seems that if you have continuous ventilation, a far lower rate is needed. Vent Axia do this extractor http://www.vent-axia.com/files/catdownloads/quadra 2nd edition.pdf Though it's max trickle rate still seems to be too low for a kitchen. So my question is, can anyone recommend a fan that will vent through a 4 inch/100mm hole that will pass the kitchen part F requirements? Can I just put in a low power fan with no switch and say it's continuous ventilation?

Interesting. It'd be really good to move in there. And all is fine to be lived in, heating, plumbing, electrics etc - I just assumed you have to be building control complete before it was allowed. I've also put my house next door on the market, so was kind of concerned that if this sold, and I had problems getting the last few bits finished next door - I could end up with no where to live. But if I can just move straight in there and get the last few bits finished over the coming months, that's a great relief. So I don't need to hide signs of habitation when building control comes!?

Thanks for all the replies. Declan52 I think I am pretty much there, barring the very annoying need for level access. My plot is on a hill, and I don't have much room for a ramp at the front. It's only 2 bed currently(with a warm loft that I can't use currently due to fire regs).. but I still have to have 2 parking spaces which make the ramp tricky. So intending to do at the side french doors. I was thinking it was best to get this done before I have them out.. though I may regret if they don't like it(plan was composite deck, as I was going to have composite deck here anyway, though concerned they may view as temporary). I think I am ok on door widths and have glass on the stairs, but assume it should be compliant(though I've not noticed any marking on it). Yes @ cat and mouse, I've had a woman from the council making surprise visits(her last one was a virtual whatapp one, which seems entirely pointless), though I think her main remit is to stop anyone occupying the place without paying council tax. MAB I'm complete on services, and most decorating.Though I have no cooker, washing machine, fridge etc. Sounds like they are hot on the glass, so I'll check mine. Good to hear that planning don't routinely come back, some of my dimensions might be generous relative to the permission, but I think there is pretty much zero chance of anyone complaining as I am friends with most of my neighbours. nod Interesting, did the building control officer not say anything about the signs of habitation? I live next door, but it's annoying having a nicer house on my door step that I can't live in because I've not built a suitable ramp for wheelchairs! Temp Now I think about it I think my BC guy mentioned a pressure test on drains. Is that something I have to do then? By 'opening width on windows', do you mean that all windows open fully? Is this fire escape related? Glad you mentioned VAT, I thought it was 6 months. And yes @ CIL, I've got that one covered at least, needs to be done within 6 months. Thedreamer I'm in Reading.. one of the worst boroughs in the country for self builders imo.