Quick, write something about it before an entire month passes! Here’s my write up of “Getting it Built!” a free day of talks and workshops that took place on a grey day in Birmingham, 6th November. So how was the day?
Tag Archives for self-build
Getting it Built! – November 6th, Birmingham
“Do you want to do something about the housing (or lack of) in your community? Are you already setting up a Cohousing, Self Help, Community Land Trust, SelfBuild or Cooperative housing project? Then this authoritative regional event on community-led housing is just for you!”
image – locality.org.uk
LESSBIG will be there, do you fancy it too?
VAT on self build projects
In the UK, Value Added Tax is a ‘consumption tax’, meaning it is passed down the supply chain to the buyer. Individuals rarely get to claim this back in any way, though the business that do the ‘adding value’ part of things generally can; if only to offset the VAT passed down to them by suppliers.
Long story short, if you are building your own house (or some conversions), you are given some of the tax benefits that are usually only available to businesses. This can mean some really hefty savings with VAT currently at 20%. (sidenote: Hungary has the highest rate in the EU at 27%).
Graphic from the institute for hospitality, who, by the way are annoyed that UK hotels dont get better tax breaks
Homebuilding & Renovation magazine
Homebuilding.co.uk is the UK’s number one website (and magazine) for anyone interested in creating their dream home through self-build, renovation or conversion.
£2000 cob house
The self-build guide
The website includes input from like-minded self builders, renovators and construction professionals.
Lammas Ecovillage
The Lammas project has been created to pioneer an alternative model for living on the land. It empowers people to explore what it is to live a low-impact lifestyle. It demonstrates that alternatives are possible here and now.
Backwoods Home magazine (US)
A little something different now, with Backwoods Home magazine from across the pond in America: “Practical ideas for self-reliant living.”
