scootz
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 posted on 9/2/09 at 07:12 PM |
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Renovating a House!
About to do a complete renovation of the house (basically stripping it right back and re-building it). It would be cheaper and easier to just flatten
the damn thing and build from scratch, but we're not allowed (no idea why... we just can't). So we have to play the game of reconstructing
each bit as we go!
So... building from scratch = 0% VAT!
Playing the game = 15% VAT!
Local builders and associated tradesmen are going to the wall at a hell of a rate right now and it's no bloody wonder!
Grrr... !
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cd.thomson
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:21 PM |
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Is that down to planning regs in your area scootz? paper pushing is so mind boggling at times!
Get it done quick before Gordon puts the VAT up to 18%!
Craig
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Guinness
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:22 PM |
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It's an interesting one, in that converting a barn is VAT free, but restoring an existing dwelling isn't!
Good luck with the project mate.
The trouble with the building industry at the moment (IMHO) is that everyone who is decent / reputable / reliable is still flat out. Although there
is less work to go around, there are fewer contractors to do it, so there isn't massive downward pressure on costs (that clients are
expecting).
Cheers
Mike
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RobBrown
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:25 PM |
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I had almost the complete opposite. Main house reasonably OK, but wanted to add an extension for 4th bedroom. Would the planners allow it. Wouth they
eck
What they would allow was a complete demolition and replacement with.... yes, a 4 bedroom house. All because we lived in a 'settlement
area', whatever that is?
Totally uneconomical to demolish and rebuild, in our case.
Planners.... Law unto themselves
Good luck with the renovations, it will all seem worth it in the end, i'm sure.
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mistergrumpy
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:26 PM |
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Interesting point there by Guiness. I'm not sure if you could wangle it but I know that in the police that a house/dwelling ceases to be so if
there is no gas/electric presently connected. This is the difference between burglary dwelling and burglary other. If you're doing the house
from scratch I'd guess that the utilities would be disconnected? So could you claim it is no longer a dwelling/house and maybe get VAT free?
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scootz
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:28 PM |
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Yeah... the planning regs for my Local Authority consist of a blanket ban on 'development in the countryside'. Take your house down, then
as far as they're concerned - there's no house anymore, so you can't build a new one as it's 'development in the
countryside'. Absolutely non-negotiable despite it being the easiest, most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option!
I could understand if our house was a traditional building, but it's a wooden-framed kit house erected in the 50's with an anticipated 50
year lifespan! It's definitely expired on that front and NEEDS gutting!
Not blaming the planners - they're just following instruction from on-high and must cop a hell of a lot of flak, but what on earth happened to
common-sense during policy development?
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thunderace
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:28 PM |
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i do this for a living i buy flats that are totaly smashed up and rebuild them i do all the work myself with my dad helping when needed takes me
around 8 weeks to rip evrything out and rebuild it like new i have done 4 so far and enjoy doing it i am starting a 5 flat in a few weeks once i have
finished the one im on so if you get stuck pm me some pics and i will give you some advice i fully funish them and rent them out.its very hard work
you just need to keep motorvated even when you want to cry .best of luck
i find lots of bargins on .
http://www.hotukdeals.com/
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scootz
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mistergrumpy
Interesting point there by Guiness. I'm not sure if you could wangle it but I know that in the police that a house/dwelling ceases to be so if
there is no gas/electric presently connected. This is the difference between burglary dwelling and burglary other. If you're doing the house
from scratch I'd guess that the utilities would be disconnected? So could you claim it is no longer a dwelling/house and maybe get VAT free?
Hi Mr-G!
I'm pretty much certain that the definition of a house in criminal law will be different to the definition of a house in civil law.
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tomblyth
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:34 PM |
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quote:
The trouble with the building industry at the moment (IMHO) is that everyone who is decent / reputable / reliable is still flat out.
Thank Mike!
were not flat out , but start the structure of a new Dr's in a week of so and then maybe a golf coarse!
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coozer
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:36 PM |
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What happens if it burns down and is unsafe? Are you allowed to rebuild then??
New builds are miles cheaper than renovates.
Don't forget to go to B&Q and get a trade card, that should save you some cash.
Steve
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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DIY Si
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:47 PM |
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Could you not get a digger in for some landscaping, and just entirely by accident, knock an end wall over? Having made sure that all your stuff is at
the far end of the house, of course. 
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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scootz
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:50 PM |
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Lol... had a couple of PM's on that front already guys!
Yes - you're right... that would suffice, however, I've always shyed away from being 'clever' with these types of things, as
I've no doubt that I would come unstuck!
Whilst there would be no criminal acts of fire-raising or fraud (as it's my property and I would not involve insurers), I just know that my
local authority would find a technical-problem or take issue with the 'circumstances' and I'd be stuck with a piece of land with no
house on it and no permission to build!
I think my wife would get upset if we had to live in a tent for the rest of our lives on a scorched piece of earth!!!
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Guinness
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| posted on 9/2/09 at 07:54 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by tomblyth
quote:
The trouble with the building industry at the moment (IMHO) is that everyone who is decent / reputable / reliable is still flat out.
Thank Mike!
were not flat out , but start the structure of a new Dr's in a week of so and then maybe a golf coarse!
Sorry Tom, that was insensitive of me (no change there then!). I guess I meant more of the Commercial Side of things than the Domestic /
Housebuilding Side.
Pleased you have something lined up.
Mike
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 10/2/09 at 09:30 AM |
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I've heard of cases where a house has had to be demolished following a fire and planning permission has been refused to rebuild it!
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Schrodinger
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| posted on 11/2/09 at 12:08 AM |
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Can you get permission to extend the house? if so build as big an extension as you can and then when finished get permission to demolish the original
and rebuild that.
Keith
Aviemore
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