Build Your Dream Home.
Reclaim Your VAT.
The smart receipt management system that helps UK self builders track, validate and reclaim VAT under the DIY Housebuilders Scheme.
The Problem
VAT Reclaim Shouldn't Be This Hard
Self builders can reclaim 20% VAT on eligible materials, but the process can be painful.
Hundreds of Receipts
A typical self build generates hundreds of receipts over 12–24 months. One lost receipt means lost money.
Complex HMRC Rules
Not all materials qualify. HMRC has strict eligibility criteria that trip up even the most organised builders.
One Chance to Claim
You get a single submission to HMRC. Errors or missing information mean delays — or a reduced refund.
Features
Everything You Need to Maximise Your Claim
From snap to submission, DIY Housebuilder handles the heavy lifting.
Snap & Capture
Receipts, photograph, drag and drop or email and let our AI-powered OCR extract supplier, amounts, VAT and line items automatically.
HMRC Eligibility Check
Every line item is instantly checked against HMRC's list of allowable goods so you know exactly what qualifies.
Smart Validation
Catches missing VAT numbers, mismatched totals and incomplete supplier details before HMRC does.
Live Dashboard
Track your running VAT total, spending by category, monthly trends and action items at a glance.
Claim-Ready Export
Generate a complete, organised submission pack ready for HMRC — receipts, summaries and schedules included.
Multi-User Access
Share access with your partner, project manager or accountant. Everyone stays on the same page.
See It In Action
Built for Self Builders
A clean, simple interface that makes managing hundreds of receipts feel effortless.
Live Dashboard
Track your total spend, claimable VAT, and claim readiness at a glance with real-time charts and metrics.
Receipt Management
Upload, review and validate receipts with AI-powered data extraction and HMRC eligibility checking.
Claim Wizard
Step-by-step guided process to review, export and submit your VAT reclaim to HMRC.
How It Works
From Receipt to Refund in 4 Simple Steps
No spreadsheets. No shoeboxes. No stress.
Upload Receipts
Snap a photo or upload a scan., or email directly from your email client. Our OCR reads the details instantly.
Auto-Validate
We check every receipt for valid VAT details and HMRC eligibility. Using AI we compare your receipts against HRMC list of allowable and disallowed items.
Review & Resolve
Your dashboard highlights issues. Fix them with guided prompts.
Export & Claim
Download your claim-ready pack and submit to HMRC.
Mobile App
Capture Receipts On the Go
Download our free app for iOS and Android. Photograph receipts the moment you get them — no more lost paperwork.
Snap & Upload
Photograph a receipt and it's instantly uploaded to your account. Our AI extracts the details automatically.
Works Offline
No signal on site? No problem. Receipts are saved locally and sync automatically when you're back online.
Full Sync
Everything you capture on the app appears instantly in your web dashboard, ready to review and validate.
Snap a Receipt
Photograph receipts on site
Review Instantly
AI extracts the details for you
All Your Receipts
Synced to your web dashboard
Pricing
Simple, Transparent Pricing
One payment. Full access. No hidden fees. Just everything you need to maximise your VAT reclaim.
- Unlimited receipt uploads & OCR processing
- HMRC eligibility checking on every line item
- Smart validation & duplicate detection
- Live dashboard with spend tracking & charts
- Pre-filled VAT431NB claim form & CSV export
- iOS & Android app for on-site receipt capture
- Email receipt forwarding & ingestion
- Multi-user team access
to continue access after 18 months if you need more time
No auto-renewal. You only pay £10/month if you choose to extend.
FAQs
Got Questions? We've Got Answers
Everything you need to know about DIY Housebuilder and VAT reclaim.
What is DIY Housebuilder?
DIY Housebuilder is a receipt management and VAT reclaim tool built specifically for UK self builders. It helps you upload, digitise and validate your building material receipts, check line items against HMRC eligibility criteria, and generate a claim-ready submission pack for the DIY Housebuilders Scheme (VAT431NB).
What is the DIY Housebuilders Scheme?
The DIY Housebuilders Scheme (VAT431NB) is an HMRC scheme that allows individuals who build their own home to reclaim the VAT paid on eligible building materials. It's designed to put self builders on a similar footing to someone buying a new-build home from a developer, where VAT is zero-rated.
Do I need to be tech-savvy to use it?
Not at all. If you can take a photo on your phone and use a web browser, you can use DIY Housebuilder. Our step-by-step guided process walks you through everything from uploading your first receipt to exporting your final claim.
How does the receipt scanning work?
When you upload a receipt (by photographing it on the app or uploading a scan on the web), our AI-powered OCR automatically extracts the key details: supplier name, date, VAT number, line items, amounts and VAT. You can review and correct any extracted data before saving. The original receipt image is always stored alongside the data.
What does the validation engine check?
It checks each receipt for common issues that could cause problems with your HMRC submission: missing or invalid VAT numbers, mismatched totals, incomplete supplier details, missing dates, and duplicate receipts. Your dashboard highlights any issues so you can resolve them before generating your claim pack.
Can other people access my project?
Yes. DIY Housebuilder supports multi-user access so you can share your project with your partner, project manager, or accountant. Everyone works from the same data — no more emailing spreadsheets.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Your data is stored on AWS infrastructure in the UK (London region), encrypted at rest and in transit. Authentication is handled by AWS Cognito with email-based verification. We don't store passwords, we don't sell your data, and we don't use advertising or analytics cookies.
How much does it cost?
DIY Housebuilder costs a one-off £120+vat for 18 months of full access. If your build takes longer, you can extend at £10 per month — but there's no automatic renewal. You only pay if you choose to extend.
Does DIY Housebuilder submit my claim to HMRC?
No. We generate a complete, claim-ready submission pack — including pre-filled forms, receipt summaries and schedules — but you submit it to HMRC yourself. We are not tax advisors, and we recommend seeking professional advice if you're unsure about any aspect of your claim.
Can I only submit one claim to HMRC?
Yes. Under the DIY Housebuilders Scheme you get a single submission per project, and you must submit within three months of receiving your completion certificate. That's why it's so important to get it right first time — and exactly why we built DIY Housebuilder.
What materials are eligible for VAT reclaim?
Generally, building materials that are permanently incorporated into the property are eligible — things like bricks, timber, roofing, plumbing and electrical materials. Items like tools, plant hire, and furnishings typically don't qualify. DIY Housebuilder automatically checks every line item against HMRC's published list of allowable goods, so you'll know straight away what qualifies.