validation on VAT number

My parents have just had work done to their property because of water damage,they are going to claim through their house insurance. The builder has given them a reciept but I have noticed there is not VAT number on this, he is now dragging his feet in producing reciept with the number on. How do you/or can you validate a VAT number?

That only works if you have the vat number.

The op does not have the vat number.

So not really any help.

I've answered the question asked. I assumed they wanted to know how to validate the (possibly false) number once produced. If not, they need to ask a different question!

Have the insurance company actually requested a receipt with a VAT number on? Not all traders are required to be VAT registered ( if under limit ) so it is possible to have a legitimate trader with no VAT number. Furthermore, even if there was a VAT number, it would not change the claim as the claimant is not eligible to reclaim it and the insurance company would not be VAT registered either.

It is only in situations where the trade can reclaim the VAT that this becomes relevant. The insurance company would repay the claimant net of VAT and the claimant reclaims the VAT from Revenue. e.g. in a claim by a VAT registered shop for damage say to windows or such.

If the supplier has charged VAT on the invoice, he has to display the VAT number. If he has not charged VAT, then perhaps he is not registered for VAT (as Graham 07 pointed out). If he has charged VAT, but fails to produce VAT number, the payer should consider paying only the VAT exclusive amount.