CU Change for PV install 5% VAT?

[VMan]

Hi guys,
A question came up in conversation today that if we replace a CU for a customer because there current CU is shot and they dont not want another CU next to theirs ect.

can we charge just 5% VAT as part of the PV install, or would it be 20% for CU change and 5% for pv install??

Any Thoughts?

 

[Graeme Harrold]

I personally would charge the additional work @ 5% under work required for PV installation, after all, Im an electrician, not a tax collector

 

[VMan]

I personally would charge the additional work @ 5% under work required for PV installation, after all, Im an electrician, not a tax collector

Indeed, i like that thought.

 

[steve Leese]

are accountant said work related to p v install, i e new cu, some new rafters, a few slates, all at 5%

 

[BruceB]

In my opinion as long as it is integral to the pv installation then it all comes in at 5%. Do not list it as an optional extra on the final VAT invoice or you leave it open to a challenge.
Regards
Bruce

Edit to add citation:
See this HMRC page
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/builders/construction.htm
and an extract from it

[h=3]Situations when the reduced rate would - and wouldn't - apply[/h] You can charge the reduced rate of VAT on work you do to install qualifying energy-saving materials, and on the price of the materials themselves. But if you only supply the materials then you must always charge the standard rate of VAT on them.
If you have to do any minor work as part of the installation then you can charge the reduced rate on that too. This could include, for example, cutting down doors and windows or painting and plastering the area you've worked on to make good. But if installing the energy-saving materials is incidental to another job - such as building an extension or replacing a roof - then you can't charge the reduced rate on any of the work. If the standard rate of VAT applies to the main job then you'll have to charge it on the whole of the work.

 

[Cider]

Just had a similar debate in another forum about split invoices showing differant vat rates.
As said as long as the main part of the job is 5% then the rest can be.
If you fitted a new cu for someone but then say fitted a new emmersion timer (energy saving device) there was a thought that part of the job could be 5% but it cant as the main works (cu change) were 20%.
To cover your a ss dont specify the consumer unit change on the invoice.
It will be covered in the electrical services part which are all part of the PV install.

 

[grandfortune]

can i ask why are you changing boards, im doing the 230v side for a large solar company and dont even go near the boards, upgrade bonding if needed and always garage DB and cut into tails??. if your putting in new DB's i assume your using high integraty ones and fitting an RCBO??
thanks
Grand

 

[VMan]

Came up in conversation, maybe one day a customer may want us to put a new DB in too!

Why RCBO? Why not a split board?

 

[Worcester]

@grandfortune,

Your post reasied and intersting number of questions, perhpas you could help me out please!

Are you powering down the system or working on live tails?
Which garage DB do you use and what components in it?
Are you installing TL inverters?

Thx

 

[grandfortune]

Im sub contracting to a firm, i;ve donr four now and funny you should ask but they have all had henley link blocks installed with spare ways, i think the company contacts the DNO to pull the fuse if its no possilbe to tap in(yes i do it live) , but they survey thinks before i get there, its a standard garage consumer unit with a 16A MCB, one was a TL inverter,

 

[grandfortune]

BTW, i dont know if i will be doing anymore for them as i had a heated argument with them regarding my work and figures, i assume they are NICEIC as they dont seem to think 185ohms in a TT system is acceptable, ive asked them to buy a regs book and read it but it didnt go down to well, then they had an inspection on one of my jobs where i fed the garage DB from henly link blocks with 16mm tails, NICEIC inspector told them it had to be 25mm, trying to find out his name to tell him to buy one aswell,lol

 

[SolarCity]

i assume they are NICEIC as they dont seem to think 185ohms in a TT system is acceptable

Isn't anything above 100 ohms considered unstable?

 

[grandfortune]

Isn't anything above 100 ohms considered unstable?

so your saying if anything over 100 is, what you think about 1256ohms, you say that is unacceptable, can i ask if you was doing a PIR what code would you give that figure?

 

[SolarCity]

Code 3 or 2.

 

[darrens1973]

The max on a 30mA is 1667 as per Regs, any reading over 200 ohms should be considered to be unstable in different ground conditions, this is not a Reg though, just a good practice guideline.