SBMS

To answer your original question, yes you can reclaim VAT on flooring with the exception of carpet and carpet tiles. Be aware that if you’re having it installed then the installation should be zero rated rather than reclaiming.

Leave what unattended? The bats or the ecologists??

Same position?

Thanks all. Has anyone had any experience of firms in Lancashire that are reasonable and quick? Am looking at a couple options but any recommendations would be appreciated!

Thanks Temp But I think it now has to be part of the initial application in order for it to be validated.

We're currently going through the pain of having to have bat emergence surveys done following a preliminary roost assessment for bats (PRA) that identified there 'could be bats' for some old barns we have to knock down for planning. We've been quoted £6k+VAT for the emergence surveys! Our quote is for full dusk surveys... infra red...video monitoring... a further survey 3 weeks later... This is for about 4 small barns on the land and will set back our build timeframes (first survey mid may, next survey end of June so puts our planning permission submission back a lot...) Two questions: 1. Does this price sound reasonable? 2. I am wondering if we should do another PRA with another company? It seems the one we picked may be overly...picky?

Can you elaborate? What do you know now?

Got you. It’s probably not the worst idea to get ballparks but just be mindful that once you get your building regs drawings and there are steel sizes etc if you have any that the builder may need to ‘revise’ their quote. This might also be why builders are asking for money to quote (none of ours did). They might think it’s very speculative not quoting to regs drawings. Most we spoke to refused to quote from planning and said they needed the full detail to quote accurately.

Are they quoting from planning drawings or full building drawings?

How about getting another quote to compare?

Be great if members have those numbers to hand, I assumed it was a big ask so though sqm was easier!

We’re early days and looking at all options but are steering more towards passive standards. Last build was block and brick and ACH achieved wasn’t the best. Also difficult getting trades to understand the detail and quality required for passive standards but the TF erectors (MBC at least) seem to understand it a lot more.

Fair enough! What insulation did you use on your brick and block? I'm guessing you didn't try and get to passivhaus standards for it, or did you?

Thanks @Buzz for comprehensive answer that’s really useful. Two questions - what was your house size and why didn’t you go TF in the end?

Do the TF companies quote from building regs drawings or can they do it from stage 1 drawings?