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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:22 pm
by Thepinkpavingco
Does anybody have any info about the Brett approved installer scheme.
How much it costs?
Is it worth it?
Does generate much work?
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:33 pm
by rab1
without being cheeky contact Brett as they will have most of your answers. I`m walking distance (5min) from Marshalls Scottish plant and 5 min drive away from Tobermores display centre and as such most of the contractors in my area are signed up one or the other.
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:39 pm
by Thepinkpavingco
Thanks for the reply I was just curious
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:26 am
by Injured
I joined the brett scheme last year and was due to renew !st July this year but am not renewing.
There are a few reasons why I am not renewing, But the main one is they only want VAT rergistered companies on their scheme and as I am not VAt registered I am not allowed on it. Being VAT registered doesnt make me any better or worse at doing my job so why they have brought that rule in I dont know.
The second main reason is in the North west where I have had a lot of clients not knowing who or what Brett are so had to tell the customer about them and the third big reason is It is a nightmare to get hold of their stuff most yards are on a minimum order form them so if you only have a small job you have to order the gear in weeks in advance.
On a plus side the Buildcenter I use has put me forward for the Tobermore approved scheme so I am awaiting to hear from them in next week or 2.
If you want to know any more give me a call.
George
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:10 am
by London Stone Paving
rab1 wrote:without being cheeky contact Brett as they will have most of your answers.
Brett would be able to answer the first 2 questions but for the third question surely its better to get the answer from an independant source who uses the scheme
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:25 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i know times are hard but 71k is not a lot turnover wise when you add wages and materials
it is more hassle but gives you an edge when pricing as you will get the VAT back on material
personally i think all building work should be zero rated ,it would kill the black economy overnight,lose out too many jobs to people who are doing " cash " jobs
LLL
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 8:15 pm
by pickwell paving
We used to be in the top pave scheme then when brett bought them we went into there one, not worth it in my opinion never had any leads from it the rep that was with us at top pave left and the one who replaced him wasn't interested, they used to send us monthly estimated sales figures crap like that and to be honest I don't think the quality of there products is that great.
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:10 pm
by Injured
Do you think it would be better to be VAT registered then LLL?
I cant see how as most of my customers are private so it makes my labour costs 20% more
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 7:27 am
by lutonlagerlout
it makes the whole operation look more professional George
I know lads who have avoided it like the plague and in hindsight its held them back over the years.
It stops you from quoting on any commercial projects if they arise plus you get the vat back on all your materials,which are roughly 50% of the job on a drive
you can always de-register if you don't turnover enough,I know a painter who did that
LLL
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:36 am
by London Stone Paving
Growth is always going to be restricted if you are not VAT registered. I here people saying all the time that they are trying to keep there turnover under the VAT threshold. Serious customers will be prepared to pay VAT
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:17 am
by Injured
So for domestic work you dont think it hinders? as it would make me dearer for them.
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 5:15 pm
by London Stone Paving
It might hinder you a bit at the start, but you cant put the growth of your business on hold to cater for a few clients who want to save the VAT.
A customer of mine had similar concerns when he went Registrered a few years back. Like you he was worried that the extra 17.5% would put customers off. He devised a scheme where if the VAT was an issue with people he would calculate the VAT paid on materials and refund it back to the customer in the form of a discount. He did this for a year or two but gradually just fazed it out.
I think it may cause you a little bit of pain initially but in the long term it can only be a good thing for your business
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:16 pm
by Pablo
With regards being vat registered I would say it's far more profitable to be registered than not it also allows you to chase better work and be taken more seriously by merchants and peers. Also because the client still has to pay the vat on materials it's only the tax on labour that is an additional cost. An average job usually works out at about 50/50 material labour split so it's only an extra 10% on to the overall cost. If you add up the tax you'll get back from all your tools materials fuel and other vehicle purchase and running costs those few jobs you lose as a result of being registered won't matter in fact you'll probably have more money in your pocket. Other perks are being able to have a decent car and classing it as half business half personal use so half the running costs of that can go through the books aswell.
With regards contractors lists I'm on a few but only really get any work from the Tobermore one. That said it's usually 2 weeks in every 4 so it works very well for me although prospective clients do have a tendency of getting half the layers on it out to quote so it can be a bit cutthroat on pricing.