How a joinery project runs alongside a build

A joinery project doesn't run on its own. It sits inside a wider Beams build. The Home Improvement Contract (HIC) governs the build; the Joinery Improvement Contract (JIC) governs the joinery. The lead builder is the principal contractor and runs the site. Your job as the Joinery Partner is to deliver bespoke items into a live programme — on spec, on time, and finished to standard.

The two contracts

HIC — between the customer and the lead builder for the construction works.
JIC — between the customer and you for the joinery works.

Beams isn't a party to either. Both run on Beams's standardised templates and both are administered through the platform.

How the work sequences

Brief and survey — once the customer's project is far enough along (usually after structural decisions are locked), you survey the space.
Design — you produce shop drawings showing every detail of the items you're fabricating.
Design Freeze — the customer approves the shop drawings; the design is locked. The first 50% milestone is paid into the Beams Account.
Fabrication — runs at your workshop while the lead builder progresses the build.
Delivery to site — items arrive, the lead builder checks and accepts them on behalf of the customer; the second 40% milestone is paid.
Installation — either by your team or the lead builder, as agreed by project.
Snagging — once installed, snags are raised. The 10% withhold sits until snags are cleared.
Sign-off — joinery is signed off; the final 10% is released.

The HIC can't fully complete until the joinery is signed off. So your timeline impacts the lead builder's sign-off timeline.

Coordination points

The site is the lead builder's — you don't direct trades or change site sequencing.
Delivery slots are agreed in advance — never just turn up. The lead builder may have access constraints, parking constraints, or other coordination needs.
Install dates are agreed jointly — the lead builder needs the site to be at the right stage; you need fabrication complete.
Variations and surprises on site — flagged through the platform. If a structural condition has changed and your design no longer fits, the change goes through a JIC change order; the customer approves; you proceed.

When things go wrong

Survey reveals the design won't fit — flag immediately; the customer and lead builder need to know.
Fabrication is delayed — flag immediately; the lead builder needs to adjust the programme.
A delivered item is damaged — flag immediately; replacement scheduling matters.
Snags accumulate — work through them with the customer. If you can't sort it out, your build advisor steps in.

What this means for you

Treat the lead builder as your peer, not your customer or competitor. The customer is the customer. Communication, sequencing, and quality are the three things that make a joinery project run smoothly inside a wider build.

Joinery Partner milestones (50/40/10)
Coordinating with the lead builder
Joining as a Joinery Partner