The National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA) is conducting a Value Added Tax (VAT) survey to obtain a detailed look at the number of people self building in the UK.
Compiling data on the number of VAT exemptions helps us identify how many people have self built over the years. Together with other statistics, such as information on the number of single dwellings created per year, this gives us an estimate of the number of self builders in the country.
This then helps inform our work of campaigning for change and lobbying governments in all four UK countries to create more opportunities in the sector – both for businesses and would-be self builders. The more people that are building, the more new opportunities will come to market.
From 2019 calculating the size of the sector will be easier, as there is now a question on the form you must submit to apply for planning permission (1APP), which will help gather this data. However, for earlier years we need to compile this data retrospectively – which you can help with.
If you have self built, custom built, commissioned a new home or converted a building into a home, then please take the time to complete this survey and help NaCSBA help others like you.
The survey is anonymous – it’s just nine questions, but it makes a huge difference to the work we do as an organisation, helping us to make custom build and self build more of a mainstream choice for more people. It closes 30 November 2019.
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO, National Custom and Self Build Association, said:
“This VAT Survey is critical, as knowing the size of the sector empowers us when having high-level discussions with government and industry about the needs of the market and its potential. We’re actively working to create more opportunities for more people to access a consumer-commissioned home that suits their lives, creating greater housing choice.”