Consumer insight from home services marketplace Plentific . com has found that four out of five ( 79 per cent ) of UK homeowners do not ask to see evidence of VAT credentials when hiring a tradesman . Despite growing more wary of cowboy tradesmen , the majority of UK homeowners do not check their tradesman ’ s VAT credentials . The HMRC estimates that £ 3.4 billion * is uncollected every year from VAT fraud . Whilst it is legal for a tradesman to not be VAT registered when earning under £ 83,000 per annum , there are some that claim to be VAT registered so that they can charge customers higher prices .

Although the VAT charge can appear on the bill , if the trade professional is not upfront with their credentials , they can keep the 20 % fee . Consequently , the homeowner is overcharged while participating in VAT fraud .

Plentific ’ s survey found that homeowners aged 18-34 are twice as likely ( 41 %) to ask to see their trade professional ’ s VAT credentials when compared to the UK ’ s average . Perhaps this generation are more

cost-conscious and inclined to negotiate the final price . Londoners too are cautious with 37 % asking for evidence . This may be a result of the higher prices for London services , causing the homeowners to be wary of additional expenses . Nottingham , on the other hand , appears to care the least , as only 12 % said they would ask to see the VAT credentials . Despite the varied results across the UK , however ,

the majority of homeowners do not ask to see evidence of a trade professional ’ s VAT credentials . While it is not imperative to confirm a trade professional ’ s VAT number or even to hire a registered specialist , homeowners are more likely to get a better deal if they are registered . Stephen Jury , spokesperson for Plentific , said : “ Homeowners are very cost-conscious . However , according to our research ,

they ’ re unaware that they could be paying too much for their home improvements . By simply asking for a pro ’ s VAT number and instantly confirming this online , you know you ’ re not being overcharged . “ As part of the Plentific verification process , we confirm VAT credentials to ensure our listed trade professionals are not acting against the law or overcharging our customers .”

Wellingborough-based trade fabricator Astraseal has expanded its conservatory package with the addition of the Stratus Thermal Lantern Roof . The Stratus is the latest conservatory roof offering from Synseal , and delivers both best-in-class thermal performance and sleek , stylish looks with its thermally-broken ridge , rafters and eaves beams , and discrete , custom-designed radius end caps . The system provides up to 65 % better thermal efficiency than standard aluminium roof systems , and comes available in sizes up to 2m by 6m with a 20˚ pitch . “ The Stratus is exactly the kind of product the market is crying out for ,” commented Zac Nedimovic , Astraseal marketing manager . “ Over the past five years , we ’ ve seen consumers become increasingly demanding – they ’ re very willing to spend , but they want a lot more for their money than was once the case . The Stratus roof is the perfect example of a product that excels in all areas –

delivering extremely fashionable aluminium aesthetics and fantastic thermal performance , while still coming in at a competitive price . As such , we ’ re predicting it will be a runaway success – and help our trade clients secure a lot of new business .” Astraseal ’ s conservatories package has won respect throughout the industry , for reasons such as its commitment to pre-fabricating each and every roofing product it

sells on-site , to ensure all components fit together perfectly before dispatching it to the customer . Zac added : “ We ’ d be delighted to hear from any installers looking to learn more about our conservatories offering , or taking the first steps to becoming an Astraseal customer .”

For more information , call Astraseal on 01933 227233 or visit www . astraseal . co . uk

VEKA fabricator Modplan is celebrating a successful two decades in partnership with The VEKA UK Group . To celebrate this longstanding relationship , The VEKA UK Group delivered two bottles of champagne and celebratory cupcakes for all the staff . Heidi Sachs , director at Modplan , said : “ We ’ ve always been committed to quality , and that ’ s why The VEKA UK Group has been such a fitting partner for so long . The products are second to none and the systems are backed up with a

host of additional support services .” Dave Jones , managing director of The VEKA UK Group , congratulated Modplan on the company ’ s ongoing success . “ It ’ s always great to see that our customers are thriving . Modplan is a great example of a fabricator that takes advantage of all the additional support services we offer in order to grow their business . I ’ d like to thank Modplan for the years of loyal custom and we look forward to working with the team for many more years to come .”