You will need to provide at least 3 like for like quotes (all works, appliances and actions must be quoted for alike).
Should the quotes not be like for like, you may be asked for requotes. It is difficult for officers to conduct a tender analysis (check the quotes) unless they are the same.
What to ask for
Only eligible and agreed work can be grant funded. You must tell the contractors what is eligible and agreed so that they can provide accurate and competitive quotes.
When you’ve chosen a shortlist, ask each contractor to visit your premises and prepare a quote. If you use an agent, they may help you. All quotes must be in writing on the company’s official headed paper.
If the work is complicated, the technical officer or occupational therapist or both may do a joint visit with the contractor.
In your grant application pack, you will find a list of work for the specific adaptations you need. You must give your contractor a copy of this.
Ask your contractors to provide a detailed breakdown of costs for all the eligible works. If they do not do this it will not be possible to compare quotes, and the council will ask you to get more information.
Extra work
You can ask the contractor to do extra work at your own expense. The quote for this must be a separate quote from your main grant application quote.
Asbestos
If your contractor thinks there is asbestos in your home and that the building work will disturb it, they must:
- arrange for the material to be professionally assessed
- if required, appoint an approved contractor to remove or make the asbestos safe
- do this work before the adaptation work can start
The cost of asbestos removal will be eligible for grant funding and the work cannot go ahead without it.
Zero rated VAT
Some, but not all, work carried out with a mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant will be zero rated for VAT.
Your contractor is responsible for making sure that the correct amount of VAT is charged. They will need to confirm that you are a disabled person and may need you to complete a VAT exemption form.
Reliefs from VAT for disabled and older people from GOV.UK gives more information on VAT exemptions.
You can also find a declaration of eligibility for VAT relief (disabled person) on GOV.UK.
Alternatively we can provide you with the VAT exemption form, please let us know if you would like us to send you one.
Quotes checklist
Have you made sure that:
- you have 3 quotes from different contractors
- the contractors have supplied their quote on official company headed paper
- the contractor is VAT registered
- you have completed a VAT exemption form where relevant
- the contractor has all the information about the agreed work
- you have asked for a detailed quote with itemised costs
- you have separate quotes for any other work you want to do (if you use an agent, they may provide detailed drawings and a written specification for your contractor to price)