Questions
The things self-builders ask us most, about Footings and about HMRC's scheme. Tap a question to see the answer.
Do you submit the claim for me?
No, and that's deliberate. We do everything up to that point: checking every invoice, chasing fixes and putting the claim together. You submit it yourself, so HMRC pays the refund straight into your bank account, not through us. It's your money, and you stay in control of what's sent.
When are my invoices checked?
As soon as they arrive. Whether you add one yourself, drop in a batch or it's emailed to your Footings address, it's read and checked straight away, usually in under a minute, and your total updates.
What if HMRC changes its rules?
Our rules are kept in line with HMRC's published guidance. Every invoice is re-checked against the current rules automatically each week, and straight away whenever we update them. Your dashboard shows when your invoices were last checked, and you can check everything again yourself at any time.
Is this tax advice?
No. We check documents against published GOV.UK guidance and tell you what we find. Where something needs professional judgement we say so rather than guessing.
What does it cost?
Your first 10 invoices are free, with no card. After that, a Build Pass is £210 once for the whole build, however long it takes. A Claim Check (£425) is opening soon: your whole claim checked again before you submit, with a real person looking at anything the checks disagree on. See pricing.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. Cancel within 14 days of paying for a full refund, no questions asked. For a Claim Check, once we've started you pay only for the work done, and once it's delivered it's yours. Email hello@usefootings.co.uk to cancel.
What if I've already finished my build?
Check your deadline first: six months from completion for builds finished on or after 5 December 2023. If there's still time, you can use Footings to check your invoices and put your claim together.
Does it work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. HMRC's DIY Housebuilders' Scheme covers new homes and qualifying conversions anywhere in the UK: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The claim itself is the same everywhere, and your claim pack uses the right names for your documents where you're building, such as a Section 75 agreement in Scotland. Builds in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man aren't covered.
My build hasn't started yet. Is it too early?
No, that's the ideal time. The value is in catching defective invoices while merchants will still reissue them.
Can I claim for an extension?
Generally no. The scheme covers new builds and qualifying conversions. We'll tell you before you pay if your project doesn't qualify.
What happens to my invoices?
They're stored against your account, in London, and nobody else can see them. You can download everything at any time, and ask us to delete your account whenever you like.
Will HMRC definitely accept my claim?
Nobody can promise that. What we can do is make sure your documents meet the published requirements and flag anything HMRC might query, so there are no surprises.
What if HMRC asks questions?
If they ask for documents, your archive is indexed to the schedule so it's quick. If they query a position rather than a document, that's specialist work. We'll quote separately or refer you on.
Still got a question?
Every build is different. Tell us about yours and we'll answer personally, usually within a working day.