VAT exemption on changing a patio door to french doors to give wheelchair access

pyrolizzie

Can anyone help. We need to have the patio doors changed to french doors to enable my husband to get his wheelchair through. At the moment the opening part of the patio door only opens approx 2 feet wide but with french doors the opening would be nearly 5 feet wide which would then easily accomodate his wheelchair.

We have been in touch with the company who is going to fit the french doors and they in turn have been in touch with Customs and Excise to check whether we are eligible for the VAT exemption and have been told that the VAT exemption is only available to widen the aperture into which the doors are set and as this is already nearly 5 feet wide (despite the fact that only one door opens only 2 feet wide) we will not qualify for the VAT relief.

I can't seem to get in through to anyone that the existing opening part is only 2 feet and will not accomodate a wheelchair - they say this does not matter, it is the actual frame size that is taken into account even though half of the door cannot be opened.

It is absolutely ludicrous that this exemption is not allowable as I believe that changing patio doors to french doors constitutes a widening of a doorway - has anyone else come accross this and if so have they been able to get anywhere with Customs and Excise and get the VAT exemption.

Incidentally the patio doors are on our conservatory which opens out onto a patio at the back of the house from there, there is a gentle incline up the side of the house to the front on the house. The main house door is up four steps and is not at all accessible by a wheelchair because of the steps and also because of a two inch threshold on the doorway.

bainy

I know customs are pretty strict with the VAT exemptions and because I'm adding an extension to our house I've been advised by Occupational therapist that I'll qualify for VAT exemption (will have to wait and see if its true as I also thought it wouldn't be VAT exempt as its a new extension, could be defined as a disabled adaption)as were making a completely new access for my wheelchair.
Why go for french doors I'm dealing with the following folding sliding door company who provide excellent service and at reasonable prices. Were having a flush track system installed as its got no threshold for the wheelchair to be bumped over.They are an extremely helpful company and very accomodating.Look at the testimonials there is a wheelchair user who is extremely delighted with the product.I'll have to wait a while longer to enjoy mine however its in hand.Their products have been shown on Channel 4's Grand Designs.You can have them install it or have your own tradesman fit it, its up to you and they aren't anymore expensive than patio doors or french doors and they open the full width of your door opening.Have a look it'll be worth it.

http://thefoldingslidingdoorcompany.com/en/index.htm

http://www.foldingslidingdoors.com/testimonials.htm

pyrolizzie

Bainy

Thank you for this. We did look at sliding doors but have now decided on french doors and because these will be in an existing conservatory with a tiled floor, the threshold is actually at the same level as the tiles so will actually be level enough to get a wheelchair in and out.

Cheers
Pyrolizzie