No - a UK tradesperson does not have to be VAT registered unless their taxable turnover exceeds the current HMRC threshold of £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period. A sole trader, partnership or limited company working below that figure can trade entirely legitimately without charging VAT. Understanding what VAT registration does and does not mean is one of the most useful things a homeowner can know before comparing quotes.
Why Some Tradespeople Are Not VAT Registered
Many skilled, reputable tradespeople - particularly sole traders and small one-person-band operators - work below the VAT registration threshold. This is not a sign of a cowboy trader. There is no public register of sole traders, and HMRC will not confirm whether an individual has registered as self-employed, so the absence of a VAT number alone tells you very little about a person's legitimacy or quality of work.
A tradesperson only becomes legally required to register for VAT once their taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. At that point, HMRC requires them to register within 30 days of exceeding the limit. Below that threshold, registration is voluntary. Some traders do register voluntarily - for example, to reclaim VAT on materials or to signal a certain level of business credibility - but it is not compulsory.
What VAT Registration Means for Your Quote
If a tradesperson is VAT registered, they must add VAT to their invoices at the standard rate of 20% for most trade services. As a private homeowner, you cannot reclaim that VAT - it is simply an additional cost to you. This means a VAT-registered trader's quote will, all else being equal, appear higher than a non-VAT-registered trader doing the same job. Neither quote is inherently better or worse: the key is understanding what each figure actually includes.
When comparing quotes, always check whether VAT is included or excluded. A quote that looks cheaper may have VAT added at the invoice stage. Ask each tradesperson upfront whether their quote is inclusive or exclusive of VAT, and get the answer in writing. The trade services listed on GetBrent allow you to contact firms directly to ask this before you commit.
How to Check a VAT Number Is Real
If a tradesperson claims to be VAT registered and shows a VAT number on their quote or invoice, you can verify it for free using HMRC's Check a UK VAT Number service on GOV.UK. You enter the nine-digit VAT number and the service confirms whether it is valid and shows the name and address it is registered to. You cannot search by company name - there is no public VAT register - so you need the number first, which should appear on any invoice, quote or the trader's own website.
A valid number registered to a different company name than the one invoicing you is a warning sign. If the number returns as invalid, either it has been mistyped or the trader is not registered. Bear in mind that a trader who has recently applied to HMRC may not yet have a number even though registration is in progress - this does not automatically indicate wrongdoing, but it is worth asking them to clarify their status.
A quick checklist when a VAT number is shown on a quote:
- Check the number on GOV.UK's free VAT number checker
- Confirm the registered name matches the trading name on the invoice
- Confirm the registered address looks plausible for the business
- Make sure the quote clearly separates the net amount, the VAT amount and the total
- If VAT is being charged but no number is shown, ask for it in writing before paying
Regulated Trades: VAT Is Separate from Competency
It is important not to conflate VAT registration with trade competency or legal compliance. These are entirely separate things. For certain types of work, there are legal requirements that have nothing to do with VAT:
- Electrical work in a home must be carried out or certified by a person registered with a government-approved Competent Persons scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, or notified to your local council building control department.
- Gas work must only be carried out by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register - this is a legal requirement enforced separately from HMRC.
- Working at height - such as roof repairs or gutter work - is governed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), whose Work at Height Regulations apply to self-employed tradespeople as well as employees. A legitimate trader working on your roof should be able to demonstrate they are working safely and are appropriately insured.
A non-VAT-registered electrician who is NICEIC-registered is perfectly legal and competent. A VAT-registered gas engineer who is not on the Gas Safe Register is breaking the law. Always verify the relevant trade accreditation separately from checking VAT status.
What Actually Drives the Cost of a Quote
When you receive quotes from different tradespeople, the figures will vary for reasons that go well beyond VAT. The main cost drivers are: the scope and complexity of the work, travel time and location, the quality and source of materials, whether the worker is a sole trader or a firm with employees and overheads, and how busy they are in your local area at that time of year. VAT registration is just one factor that affects the final number on a quote.
Rather than focusing on VAT status as a proxy for quality, use it as one piece of a wider picture. Ask to see proof of public liability insurance, check trade association membership where it is relevant, and look at reviews from verifiable past customers. If you are in London, you can browse and compare trade services across London to see which firms are active in your area. Those in the south-east of the city can find local tradespeople in Bromley and request quotes directly, making it straightforward to compare like for like.
Get Quotes and Compare Before You Decide
GetBrent makes it simple to find and contact local tradespeople, handymen, cleaners and landscapers near you - whether they are sole traders or established firms. Use the trade services directory to search by location, browse profiles and ask for a quote direct. Always confirm VAT status, insurance and any relevant trade registration with the company before work begins, and get your quote in writing so you know exactly what you are agreeing to.
