The government has funds a nd gra nts avai lable for self-building and renovating some proper ties but ma ke sure t hat it is t he government g iving you the cash a nd not t he ot her way round.
In short remember to keep on top of your paper work and claim back VAT where eligble.
There are circu mstances where you quali f y for zero-rated VAT; and a reduced VAT rate at source i f any VAT registered business should supply labour, or labour a nd materia ls.