Home renovation Advice Hub
Whether you’re planning a kitchen, bathroom or full home renovation, the best results come from feeling clear and confident from the start.
Browse by topic
Explore themes based on where you are in your renovation journey.
How much deposit should you pay a builder? What's normal, when 10% is the ceiling, and how staged payments protect you.
Quote vs estimate – one is a fixed commitment, the other is an educated guess. What each one means and how to turn a guess into a price you can trust.
How to vet a builder properly – the insurance, company and reference checks that catch problems early, and how Beams vets every builder in person.
Featured guides
Your essential starting point: our most popular renovation guides.
2026 guide to UK side-extension costs. See what affects price and how to plan a smooth, budget-friendly build from start to finish.
Honest guide to wet rooms in UK homes. See costs, pros and practical tips to decide if this space-saving upgrade suits your bathroom.
Planning a walk-in shower? This UK guide gives the honest minimums, comfortable sizes, doorless vs with-door rules, opening widths, splash control, tray formats and layout sequencing—so your shower feels great and keeps the floor dry.
From the Beams Team
Stories, insights and lessons from the people building Beams, including how we learn from every project, how we work to simplify renovation, as well as experiments, improvements and cultural insights.
Beams renovation project management support explained: what's included at each stage, what your Build Advisor does, and whether it's right for you.
Renovation projects fail due to unclear scope & poor communication. Learn how Beams fixes the process with structure and B Corp independent proof.
Clear explanation of the Beams fee model: transparent builder fees, trade discounts, and design support. We help reduce your renovation project costs.