Only a couple of weeks left to beat the VAT increase.

When the VAT increase was first announced, 2011 seemed a very long way off.

However, it's suddenly come around very quickly indeed. From January 1st, you'll be paying 20% instead of 17.5% VAT on everything including home improvements.

There's still time to get in though and beat the increase but you'll have to be quick - especially with larger home improvements like conservatories, garage and loft conversions or extensions.

A typical £25K extension means on the new rate, you'll be paying £5000 in VAT alone. On a £4K double glazing installation, you'll be paying £800 in VAT. Makes you think doesn't it?

To help you, everyone from conversion companies to window, paving and kitchen companies are offering a dazzling array of VAT saving offers at the moment.

And if you're already into a large project that's going to run into the New Year, you could still save some money. Try to arrange part-payment on work or materials to date before the January 1st deadline to pay the present rate of VAT. The difference could mean not having to settle for a cheaper fitting or accessory or just leave you more money in your pocket at the end of the job.

Don't delay any further - get your online quote and book your home improvement today to be quids in on leaving the job until the New Year.

photo credit: alan cleaver

Beat the VAT increase on your home improvements

The recent first budget by a coalition Government included the announcement that VAT was to rise from its present 17.5% to 20% with effect from January 2011 - That's just 5 months away.

Whilst we all hope there'll be reduced vat offers available in the New Year, there's no guarantee and any there are won't last for long.

The new VAT figure means that on a upvc replacement window and door installation of £2,500, you'll be paying £500 instead of £437.50 just in VAT. A £5000 new kitchen will mean a VAT bill of a £1000. On a £10,000 conservatory, the new VAT figure means you'll be paying £2000 in VAT alone.

This is nothing compared to the increased cost you can expect to be charged for loft or garage conversions and home extensions.

So if you've been thinking of improving your home, then our best advice is to bring your plans forward and get those home improvements underway now. Leaving it to the New Year could have costly implications. Even waiting till later in the year could mean installation teams are booked up - everybody else having the same idea - and you may end up being forced to wait until the New Year anyway.

But don't forget in your haste to save money, to get some comparative quotes from several companies first. Read up what past customers really thought of them and the quality of the finished job before making a decision on who'll you'll use. 

Make sure you get your online quote from the Quoter family of websites, then take time to read what other homeowners had to say about the companies operating in your area, before you make any decisions.