TimberButcher

? actually though that's not a bad idea money-wise; I've got quite a bit of galvanise from an old scaffolding job that was tinned over. All the same, I think I'll stick with pans... Good for you! I'm a carpenter by trade and I wouldn't do anything else. Nothing like working on old buildings, pottering about! Have you got any pics?

That's really good advice, thank you. I emailed and heard back from the company today (local and dependable - I don't know many companies that will respond on a Sunday!). Owner says he will now honour the 5% rate. Good news! Thank you all for your advice!

Well I was advised to clear out all the buildings before making my application: the barn had not been used for more than ten years and it was a hay barn so that wasn't an issue. The adjacent buildings were used to store building materials though, so I spent a couple of Saturdays moving everything out into other buildings not subject to development. In the end, it was a bit of waste of time as we never had a visit from planning... ? for such a bureaucratic org. with copious online documentation and procedures, they do seem to be deliberately vague when it comes to explaining their position to the great unwashed!

Ah mixed usage then I kind of understand... Is the structure itself in good nick?

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Many thanks!

I'm not much of a photo taker so this came from Google Maps. Not much has changed: I had to take out the corner of the adjacent building to get my caravan through on the right and my static sits at right angles in front of the old galvanised roof building you can see in the background on the far right. I was going to start demo. work on the adjacent building this year but I've been so busy. I'm a bit conflicted about the old pan tiles: mixed pans never sit well and I don't have enough to do the whole roof of the barn or anywhere near, but I may have enough for the extension. I'm not sure whether to sell them and use all new or keep hold of them...

Thank you very much for your reply! Good advice! It was an agricultural building. I obtained permitted dev. and then full planning (to include an extension) long after it was split from the 'main' property. VAT notice 708 seems to be a pretty handy document!

How can that be? Surely all works for a conversion are 5% rated? Best of luck with your conversion! Mill or windmill?

It's a barn that was originally part of another property. This is a first time connection.

Could it be that the big boys make your life difficult because they get hassled by HMRC to get as much VAT as possible? I can see no other reason given that VAT does not benefit them one iota...

Superb advice, thank you! The STP will eventually be for a barn conversion, but I haven't planned drainage for it as yet. I'll ask for a requote stipulating that the STP is for the barn and citing the planning ref. I had a real battle with Anglian Water for a reduction to 5%. HMRC's position seemed pretty clear here (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-water-and-sewerage-services/vwass5400) and here (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-water-and-sewerage-services/vwass5200), but AW weren't going to budge until I cited HMRC. I know VAT is a mess but you'd think the larger companies would be geared up for queries now, especially given the number of conversions! UKPN, by contrast, were much easier to deal with...

Thanks for the replies! Sorry about the quality of the photo below, but it does give you an idea. I'm in Suffolk. It's not listed and is in pretty good shape. Mostly elm. There's an issue with some racking to the front corner, but otherwise it's fairly sound. I have permission to convert and add a t-shaped extension. I have plans etc. but am still not sure how to go about the build as I've been so busy. I hope to be able to work a bit and then spend money on the build; rinse and repeat for as long as it takes. I don't like loans etc. and have never had a mortgage, but I may have to consider it....

I thought I understood the VAT position for conversions pretty well: 5% on labour and materials. I managed to get the reduced rate levied on my electricity and mains water connections, but a quote for a new STP (sewage treatment plant) installation includes VAT at 20%. This is initially for a static caravan but will eventually serve the barn that I'm converting. Am I entitled to a reduced VAT rate or not? I 'd very much appreciate a response from someone with a similar experience... Many thanks!

Hello! I've researched this forum before but never joined, so now is the time I think: I'm embarking on a barn conversion...a very slow barn conversion. I have a static caravan on site with electric and with water to come in September. I'm hoping to be living on site by Christmas all things being well ;0)