Invoice and VAT query for works

mutley74

I have had a few quotes by various local companies for some refurbishing works to my house.

They all say they are VAT registered, but none of the quotes and a purchase agreement state the VAT number and registered address. 
When i used to run my own consulting business, which was VAT registered, I was informed each invoice had to list these details. 

Am I being fair to request this from the company who has produced a purchase order? 

comeandgo

Do you actually have an invoice yet?  

comeandgo

Do you actually have an invoice yet?  

mutley74

comeandgo said:

Do you actually have an invoice yet?  

No, its a purchase agreement, detailing the works, deposit due and balance after completion. 

Doozergirl

mutley74 said:

comeandgo said:

Do you actually have an invoice yet?  

No, its a purchase agreement, detailing the works, deposit due and balance after completion. 

The only legal requirement is for the VAT details to be on the invoice.  I wouldn't think to put it on a quote or a contract.  

Sandtree

Only a VAT Invoice needs to have the VAT details and only when both parties are VAT registered can a VAT invoice be demanded... there is no obligation to provide one in any other circumstances though clearly most do. 

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

mutley74

Sandtree said:

Only a VAT Invoice needs to have the VAT details and only when both parties are VAT registered can a VAT invoice be demanded... there is no obligation to provide one in any other circumstances though clearly most do. 

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

because i have had trader charge me VAT before, and when I did some digging realised they were not even VAT registered. 
So a genuine company/trader should not charge extra for VAT. 

FreeBear

Sandtree said: Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

If the quote includes VAT and is clear on that, I would agree it makes little difference.

On the other hand, if the quote isn't explicit on whether VAT is included, I would want clarification.

comeandgo

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

My joiner, pre vat registration was £30 an hour now as he is vat registered he costs £36 per hour.  If I was a vat registered business it would make no difference as I’d claim the vat back in my vat return but I’m a little old lady so have to pay.

Sandtree

comeandgo said:

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

My joiner, pre vat registration was £30 an hour now as he is vat registered he costs £36 per hour.  If I was a vat registered business it would make no difference as I’d claim the vat back in my vat return but I’m a little old lady so have to pay.

Then it begs the question why he wasn't charging £36 an hour beforehand if you and other customers are willing to pay that rate. 

For the majority of businesses crossing the threshold of VAT rarely enables them to increase their prices 20% and retain the same level of customers. 

mutley74 said:

Sandtree said:

Only a VAT Invoice needs to have the VAT details and only when both parties are VAT registered can a VAT invoice be demanded... there is no obligation to provide one in any other circumstances though clearly most do. 

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

because i have had trader charge me VAT before, and when I did some digging realised they were not even VAT registered. 
So a genuine company/trader should not charge extra for VAT. 

Were you happy with the price?
I am certainly not saying that companies should falsely state that they are charging VAT when they aren't but I struggle to understand why someone would think £1,200 is too much but £1,000 + £200 VAT (aka £1,200) is acceptable if the payer is not VAT registered... do you consider the VAT payment to be some form of charity payment or such?

mutley74

Sandtree said:

comeandgo said:

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

My joiner, pre vat registration was £30 an hour now as he is vat registered he costs £36 per hour.  If I was a vat registered business it would make no difference as I’d claim the vat back in my vat return but I’m a little old lady so have to pay.

Then it begs the question why he wasn't charging £36 an hour beforehand if you and other customers are willing to pay that rate. 

For the majority of businesses crossing the threshold of VAT rarely enables them to increase their prices 20% and retain the same level of customers. 

mutley74 said:

Sandtree said:

Only a VAT Invoice needs to have the VAT details and only when both parties are VAT registered can a VAT invoice be demanded... there is no obligation to provide one in any other circumstances though clearly most do. 

Why are you really interested if they are VAT registered or not? It costs £1,200 wether that's £1,200 to them or £1,000 to them and then £200 off to HMRC

because i have had trader charge me VAT before, and when I did some digging realised they were not even VAT registered. 
So a genuine company/trader should not charge extra for VAT. 

Were you happy with the price?
I am certainly not saying that companies should falsely state that they are charging VAT when they aren't but I struggle to understand why someone would think £1,200 is too much but £1,000 + £200 VAT (aka £1,200) is acceptable if the payer is not VAT registered... do you consider the VAT payment to be some form of charity payment or such?

I have no issue to pay VAT, if the charging trading is legitimately registered to charge VAT.  What annoys me the number of smaller traders who "add VAT " on their bills but not even VAT registered.  Charging VAT when one is not VAT registered is fraud.