Communications you'll receive from Beams

You'll receive a steady stream of messages, notices, and updates from Beams. Most are routine. A few need a response. This article describes the main types so you know what's what.

Project-level messages

Lead notifications — a customer has been matched to you and is ready for a site visit, or a quote request has come in. The article How quoting works on Beams covers the response window.
Site visit reminders — confirmation, day-before reminder, post-visit nudge to upload your quote.
Quote total checks — occasionally, if you've submitted a PDF quote and the builder-entered total appears to be off, we'll flag it to you so you can amend before the customer sees it. We don't otherwise review your quote before it goes to the customer.
Milestone events — when a customer approves a milestone, when payment is released, when a milestone is disputed. These are time-sensitive on the dispute side.
Change order notifications — when a customer initiates a change request, when a customer approves your change order, when a payment for a change order is released.

Performance and conduct

Performance updates — periodic summaries of your scores, level, and points. These are informational; no action needed unless something's flagged.
Reviews — when a customer leaves a review, you'll see it on your dashboard. (Pre-publication review on your side and a structured response flow are on the roadmap; not live yet.)
Penalty point notices — if you receive points, you'll see a written notice explaining what for. Appeals are time-boxed; the article Appealing a penalty or suspension covers the process. (Penalty notices are not surfaced as a self-service notification today; you'll be contacted directly while the in-product version is built.)
Suspension or removal notices — formal notices, with the reason and the path forward. (Same as above — direct contact today, in-product surfacing on the roadmap.)

Compliance and admin

Document requests — occasional requests for proof of work, invoices, or compliance documents.
Platform updates — meaningful changes to how the platform works, the contracts, or our commercial terms.

Note: the platform doesn't automatically remind you about insurance or accreditation expiries. Tracking renewals is on you — the article Updating insurance and other compliance items covers it.

Marketing and announcements

Product launches — when we release new features that affect builders.
Network announcements — events, training, programmes (e.g. the Top Builder badge).
Optional research invitations — surveys, interviews, beta tests. These are opt-in.

Where messages land

Email — the main channel for both operational and admin messages today.
Text message — for the most urgent items only (e.g. a customer has reported a safety issue).

A dedicated platform inbox is on the roadmap. Until it lands, email is the operational source of truth.

You can adjust marketing and announcement preferences in settings. You can't opt out of project-level or compliance messages — those are part of being on the network.

Which need a response

Lead notifications — yes, within the time-to-quote window.
Quote-total flags — yes, if you need to amend.
Disputed milestones — yes, within the dispute window.
Document requests — yes, before the deadline.
Penalty notices — only if appealing.
Performance updates — no, unless you have a question.
Marketing or announcements — no.

What this means for you

Watch your email for the operational stuff. If you're unsure whether something needs a response, ask your build advisor.

Quick rules
How customer feedback works
Penalty points and suspension