I seems my new build is just about complete!! Many, many thanks for all the good advice I have gained from this forum along the way. But its not over yet. The question is what do I need to do to make it official? Are there any reasons not to rush into doing so? When is a build done?

I know that BC needs to do a final visit, all the things they are interested in are now in place. But It is not my home yet, I have been "camping out" here for months while working on it yet unlikely to move in fully for several months while building wardrobes etc. But before installing "furnishings" I would like contents insurance, can I get house insurance without a completion certificate or is it BC first? As a previously used site our address is in the Royal Mail system, so we exist and get deliveries (but no junk mail!!). I admit I am not in a rush to be pestered for Council Tax before actually living here and receiving council services. Will BC trigger that?

Experiences and advice please.

Does BC sign off stop you claiming the vat back on anything you do after it?

Posted By: ringiDoes BC sign off stop you claiming the vat back on anything you do after it?

Yes.

You can't reclaim VAT on materials purchased after completion but you would probably get away with buying materials before completion and fitting them later.

Labour after completion should be standard rated.

Completion also starts the clock running for your VAT reclaim submission. I think you have three months but check the forms. Any later and they want to know why. I don't know what counts as a valid excuse.

By the way, you can use a spread sheet provided you keep the same headings as the tables on the paper forms.

I won't be in your position until the end of the year (hopefully!), but from the research I've done CWatters is correct.

For me I think it will basically come down to a financial decision: when will it be cheaper to transfer from a self build mortgage compared with a standard mortgage vs. potential VAT savings from giving me additional time to get extra work done at a zero rate.

For me I suspect it will be cheaper to get the house signed off and onto a standard mortgage, rather than holding on for additional VAT savings.

Thanks everyone. Not in a rush to get the VAT back just yet, could usefully add some more supplies (timber, pond liner etc.) to the bill before certifying. No morgage issues either. There is one outstanding planning condition yet to sign off, BC not involved in that but makes sense not to complete the house officially until it is fully permitted planning wise. As for home insurance it seems that they don't ask for a certificate or question completness, just want to know if it was build after 1990.

Posted By: borpinIn Scotland they charge you the Community Charge when the house looks completed and do not need a comp cert to do so.

I have heard about that, hope things are less pro-active in Cornwall. It does seem unfair to charge before a house is occupied, is it legal?

Posted By: GreenfishI have heard about that, hope things are less pro-active in Cornwall. It does seem unfair to charge before a house is occupied, is it legal?

You are charged on empty properties and there was a discount but that may have changed. It is whether it is habitable I think.

"pond liner etc" how will this get VAT back? Call it roofing?

Council tax rules vary with location, here in Bristol you pay council tax on any property you own (hence I am paying tax for the house we just bought and the one we cant yet sell!!!!!) In Devon they will allow you to pay no tax on a property for three months if it is empty and unfurnished (the bungalow we intend to demolish ready for our newbuild once a family member leaves.) So its best to find out what applies in your area.