Hi Saul Greenberg,
I'm sorry you are having such problems getting through to the Helpline.
Please see below for all the various ways you can reach us.
VAT: general enquiries
Please make sure that the conversion meets the requirements of a qualifying conversion as per the following guidance, section 7.2
7. Reduced rating the conversion of premises to a different residential use
If the conversion is a qualifying conversion then the builder should be able to apply 5% VAT to the building work.
The builder would need to see evidence that a qualifying conversion is taking place so that they can keep this evidence in their records.
A council planning reference,architectural drawings would be evidence that builder would normally ask for.
The 5% VAT would apply to most of the work but would not apply to professional services like solicitors and architects.
Please see section 7.6 of the following guidance:
7. Reduced rating the conversion of premises to a different residential use
Thank you.